PEOPLE in Bolton are being encouraged to get involved with Greater Manchester’s Walking Festival, which is back and bigger than ever for its third year.

The festival, which runs throughout May, has increased in size again, offering 70 free guided walks and events exploring local countryside, canals, riversides and parks across the borough.

Co-ordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with support from HOME Manchester and many local walking groups and charities, the festival aims to showcase all that Bolton has to offer.

The calendar will feature many expert-led walks and events, spanning a wide variety of interests and themes. For example, this year participants can try their hand at the increasingly popular walking football in an event taking place at Bolton Arena.

The full list of walks and details of how to book on an event can be found at the Greater Manchester Walking Festival website.

TfGM Committee Cycling and Walking Champion, Councillor Chris Paul, said: “This year’s Greater Manchester Walking Festival is bigger and better and we want to get even more people involved and build on the success we’ve had in the last two years.

“The festival aims to get as many people as possible across the region to find out how easy – and enjoyable – walking can be. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, provide the chance to explore, experience, meet new people and get more active.

“We owe a huge thank you to all our walking partners and walk leaders, many of whom are voluntary, who run all the walks and make this festival possible.

“Walking has obvious health, environmental and social benefits and we hope that by encouraging people to get involved they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the festival has ended.”

Funded by the Department of Transport, the Greater Manchester Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s Walking Works project, encouraging people to make a walk part of their daily routine.

To find out what’s happening in each area, visit www.tfgm.com/walking, where there is an online copy of the festival brochure containing all the walks. Copies of the brochure are also available in TfGM Travelshops and other outlets across Greater Manchester, or can be ordered by emailing walking.works@tfgm.com.

On social media, check out the GM Walking Festival Facebook page or search for the #GMWalking hashtag on Twitter.