Bristol Walk Fest 2021 - One of the UK's largest urban celebrations of walking - starts 1 May

The month-long Bristol Walk Fest returns this May with a ‘one stop shop’ website of walking in Bristol featuring an impressive variety of walking routes, groups, information and competitions. 

This year, Bristol Walk Fest has adapted its programme of walks to make more available online and to download for free via the walking app Go Jauntly, encouraging Bristolians to get out safely with friends and family and reconnect with their city after lockdown and benefit from the improved physical and mental wellbeing that walking brings. 

With nearly 100 walks showcasing the Best of Bristol for everyone to enjoy on their own or with others, there is something for all ages, interests and abilities across the city.  

Bristol City Council is also marking the occasion with the launch of more than 60 curated Bristol walks on the Go Jauntly app. The council’s new partnership with the app will allow Bristolians to uncover walks and enjoy the outdoors from their doorstep, using a variety of routes that can be downloaded and previewed. Based on your location, simple photo guides lead you around urban areas and surrounding wildlife, from green spaces to historical sites to community gardens. 

Some of the new walks available for 2021 include: 

• A Black History Tour in Bristol - Discover some local black history on this wander through the Montpelier and St Pauls neighbourhoods in Bristol. 

• Bristol Wanderlust Walk - A stroll through Bristol talking in some of the best instagrammable spots in the city. Great for getting that perfect travel shot! 
• Bristol Street Art Tour - Explore some of the amazing, colourful street art of Bristol. Includes pieces by Banksy and many other well-known artists. 

A full list can be found here 

The new website also includes details on 35 of our fabulous and varied walking activity groups and organisations based in the city, personal walking challenge suggestions that can be done from your doorstep and a host of interesting features including Bristol’s Greenground Map and what walking has meant to Bristolians during the lockdowns. 

Walking can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier. You do not have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. But don’t just take our word for it, tag a friend you’d like to have a walk with in May on social media and discover our huge range of mostly free walks in Bristol. Don’t forget to tag us too and use the hashtag #BWF21 

Festival director Karen Lloyd says: “We already know people have been walking more due to lockdown and we’re excited that our new website provides a ‘one stop shop’ for all things walking related in Bristol. We showcase the huge range of walking opportunities there are in our city, hopefully inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to try different routes or join a walking group now that restrictions are easing.” 

Adam Crowther, Head of City Strategic Transport at Bristol City Council, said: “We are pleased to be supporting Walk Fest this year and to be joining the effort to provide Bristolians with more tools to enjoy the outdoors, despite the pandemic. Over the last year we have seen a big increase in people walking, cycling and visiting green spaces all around the city and we want to capture these benefits and keep that momentum going. We encourage everyone to get involved and make the most of the new walking resources, including the Walk Fest website and Go Jauntly app.” 

You can keep up to date with all activity on our social media channels including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Download the Go Jauntly app for IOS here or for Android here.