A MONTH-long festival to encourage more people to enjoy the great outdoors and explore their local area on foot, gets underway this week.
Now in its sixth year, the Walk Leicester Festival runs from May 1 to 31 and includes a packed programme of free group walks and walking events exploring Leicester’s parks, waterways and city walks.
Themed walks will cover a range of subjects from nature through to history, architectural heritage, fitness and well-being.
It is organised by the city council, with support from a wide range of other groups and organisations, as part of National Walking Month – a campaign to encourage more people to get outdoors and take some gentle exercise.
Events kick off with an introduction to the sport of cross-country Nordic walking at Evington Park on Wednesday on May 1. The taster session, which also runs on Thursday May 15, is run by the Ministry of Nordic Walks that meets regularly.
Canal and River Trust will be leading a waterside wildlife walk from Castle Gardens to Limekiln Lock on Thursday (May 2).
And on Friday (May 3), people can explore the 20th century architectural history of Leicester with a choice of two guided walks exploring different periods.
Other walks taking place throughout the month-long festival include a tour of some of the Blue Plaque buildings in Leicester city centre, a stroll and photography tutorial capturing some of Leicester's Victorian buildings, and a walk led by De Montfort University exploring the mediaeval heritage and buildings on its campus.
Rounding off the month-long festival is the return of the popular Funky Feet and Wacky Wheels event at Abbey Park on May 29. Along with activity trails around the park, this fun, family event for half term offers a chance to decorate bikes, scooters or shoes at the ‘bling station’ before a grand parade around The Oval.
For details of all the events, and to sign up for the walks, visit the Choose How You Move website at www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/walkleicester
The BetterPoints app which rewards points for walking or cycling activities, will also be running promotions for anyone taking part in walks throughout the festival.
Assistant city mayor for transport and environment, Cllr Geoff Whittle, said: “Walking is a great way to explore your local area and discover parts of the city which might be away from the beaten track.
“It is also a fantastic, free form of daily exercise which everyone can take at their own pace.
“Once again, the Walk Leicester Festival has a wide-range of walks aimed at all ages, interests and abilities, so I’d encourage everyone to see what is going on near to them and get involved.”