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The seventh annual festival, organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council's Healthy Lifestyles Service, takes place from Saturday 13 May until Sunday 21 May, and promises to take people off the beaten track by exploring different parts of Wolverhampton and the surrounding area.
With walks for people of all ages and abilities, there's sure to be something for everyone. Highlights include guided walks around local beauty spots including West Park, East Park, Pendeford Mill, Northycote Farm, Bantock Park and the Smestow Valley and the annual 12 mile long Walking for Health Challenge Trail. All the walks are free, though some must be pre-booked.
The 8 day programme is as follows:
Saturday 13 May:
- Bushbury Health Walk, moderate 90 minute walk over Bushbury Hill and around Northycote Farm, 10am, meet at St Mary's Church Hall
- Bantock Park Tree Trail, easy 2 hour walk and history talk, 1pm, meet at the car park
- Perfect Paths of Perton, difficult 5 mile walk, 2pm, meet at Perton Civic Centre car park
Sunday 14 May:
Figure of 8 Walk, difficult 10 mile walk to Penn and Bradmore using hidden pathways and green ways, 10am, meet at Broad Street Canal Basin
West Park History Walk, easy 2 hour walk around Wolverhampton's premier park, 2pm, meet at Southgate Lodge
Monday 15 May:
First World War Memorial Walk, 90 minute moderate walk and talk around the City's memorials, 10am, meet at the Civic Centre
Pattingham Circular, difficult 7 mile walk around the village, 10am, meet at Pattingham Village Hall
West Park Timed Health Walk, complete at your own pace or have a go at a timed mile, 10.15am, meet at the shelter, Devon Road entrance
West Park Outdoor Gym Class, free 30 minute taster session, 10.45am, meet at the shelter, Devon Road entrance
Wednesfield Park and King George V Playing Fields Health Walk, moderate 60 minute walk around the park, 2pm, meet at Wednesfield Library
Tuesday 16 May:
Worfield to Ackleton, difficult 8 mile walk through stunning countryside, 10am, meet at Worfield Village Hall
Bantock Park Health Walk, easy 1 mile walk around the park, 10.30am, meet at the café
West Park Outdoor Gym Class, free 30 minute taster session, 10.45am, meet at the shelter, Devon Road entrance
West Park Toddle Waddle health walk, easy 1 mile walk for parents and carers with babies and toddlers in buggies, slings or toddling - older siblings also welcome, 11.30am, meet at the Albert Road entrance
Ramble on the Reserve, moderate 3 hour ranger led ramble around Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, 12.30pm, meet at the car park
Wednesday 17 May:
Pendeford Natural History and Wildlife Walk, moderate 2 hour ranger led walk around Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve, 10am, meet at the car park
East Park Timed Health Walk - complete at your own pace or have a go at a timed mile, 10.30am, meet at the changing rooms
West Park Outdoor Gym Class, free 30 minute taster session, 10.45am, meet at the shelter, Devon Road entrance
Deaf Walk, West Park, easy, deaf friendly health walk with BSL walk leaders, 12pm, meet at the café
Heritage Health Walk, moderate 90 minute exploration of Jeffcock Road cemetery, 2pm, meet at Bantock Park café
Fordhouses Health Walk, moderate 90 minute health walk including a short refreshment break at Northycote Farm café, 2pm, meet at the Moreton Arms pub
Castlecroft Rail and Canal Routes, difficult 5 mile ramble along the Staffordshire Railway Walk and canal tow path, 6.45pm, meet at the Firs Inn
Thursday 18 May:
Birds of the Valley, moderate 2 hour ranger led walk around Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, 9am, meet at the former railway station
West Park Outdoor Gym Class, free 30 minute taster session, 10.45am, meet at the shelter, Devon Road entrance
Northycote Farm Health Walk, moderate 60 minute walk around the nature reserve, 10.30am, meet at the café
Culture Walk, moderate 90 minute walk and talk around Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the City Archives, 11am and 2pm, meet at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Aldersley Health Walk, moderate 90 minute walk up the 21 Locks route to Broad Street basin and back, 6pm, meet at WV Active Aldersley
Friday 19 May:
Highgate Hike, difficult 5 mile walk around Highgate Common and beyond, 10am, meet at Birch Coppice car park
Pendeford Health Walk, moderate 3 mile walk around the green spaces of Pendeford, 10.30am, meet at Oasis Community Café
Nordic Walking session at West Park, moderate 1 hour taster sessions, 10.30am and noon, meet at Southgate Lodge
West Park Outdoor Gym Class, free 30 minute taster session, 10.45am, meet at the shelter, Devon Road entrance
Saturday 20 May:
Walking for Health Challenge Trail, moderate and difficult 4, 7 or 12 mile way marked and marshalled walking trails in aid of the British Heart Foundation, 9.30am, meet at WV Active Aldersley, pre-booking essential (no entries on the day)
East Park History Walk, easy 2 hour tour of the historic park, 1pm, meet at the Pavilion
Perfect Paths of Perton, difficult 5 mile walk, 2pm, meet at Perton Civic Centre car park
Sunday 21 May:
Over Orton, difficult 8 mile circular walk along the canal and former railway line, 10am, meet at the former Wombourne Railway Station car park
West Park Health Walk, easy walk around the park, 10.30am, meet at the café
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Wolverhampton Walking Festival offers a fantastic range of easy, moderate and more challenging walks to suit people of all ages and abilities - there really is something for everyone, and I'd urge residents to pull on their walking boots and take part.
"Walking can improve your health and happiness, so it's also a great way to get or stay in shape and also discover parts of the City you may not have seen before.
"Everyone is welcome, and best of all, the walks are totally free."
The Wolverhampton Walking Festival is organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council's Healthy Lifestyle Service, with support from WV Active, the British Heart Foundation, Nordic Walking UK, the Ramblers Association, Wolves Community Trust, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society.
For more information, please visit the Wolverhampton Walking Festival Type=articles;Articleid=10647;Title=website;, or call 01902 553838.
Wolverhampton's Healthy Lifestyle Service offers free help and support to people wanting to eat well, move more, maintain a healthy weight, drink less and quit smoking. It also organises the City's popular Walking for Health programme, offering around 40 free walks around the City every week. For more information, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=3740;Title=One You Wolverhampton;.
- released: Wednesday 19 April, 2017