A Greater Manchester-wide walking festival will be returning to Oldham next month.

The Let’s Walk GM Walking Festival 2022 is an opportunity for people to walk more in May by joining in with a programme of free, organised group walks.

Starting on May 1, the festival coincides with this year’s National Walking Month and will be the first since the pandemic.

With nearly 200 different group walks to choose from, people can search on the GM Walking Festival website for walks based on distance or grading, proximity to public transport, accessibility by wheelchair, buggy-friendly walks, and routes close to cafes and pubs.

As part of this year's event, walks in Oldham include the 'Ten Thousand Steps Around The World' Festival Walk, on May 28 at midday.

It will take place at Northern Roots, the massive urban farm and eco-park on 160-acres of green space 10 minutes from Oldham town centre.

The walk has been devised as a unique walking and arts experience for audiences, taking art out into green spaces and encouraging audiences to get active.

Chadderton Park Steppers will also be running several walks, including a leisurely stroll along the canal.

There will also be an evening walk starting in Chadderton, going up through Royton and back round to complete the circuit. 

Louise Robbins, strategic lead GM Walking, said: “This May we want to encourage more people to keep moving by exploring their local area, discovering new places to walk, socialising and having fun through walking. 

“Our aim is to support people to walk regularly in their neighbourhoods and through the inspiring festival walks programme, to encourage more walking amongst those who are new to walking.”

She added: “To help with motivation, there is a calendar people can use to keep track of their walks or miles. We also have hints and tips for walking all year round available on the GM Walking website.

“We’re lucky to live in such a beautiful region for enjoying the great outdoors. There are nature reserves, ancient woodland, and fantastic open spaces all within Greater Manchester.

“Much of this green space is tucked behind residential areas and we hope this May more people will discover it for themselves, by foot.”

Further information is available on the festival website www.gmwalking.co.uk/festival-routes.