Work is under way for Bristol Walk Fest 2026, which takes place over the entire month of May across the city.
Around 400 walks, many of them free, will take place during the annual event, which first took place in 2013.
Organisers are calling on community projects, local organisations, walking groups, and individuals to sign up as walk providers for the festival. A deadline of 27 February has been announced so that walks can feature in the printed programme.
Organisers will produce 8,000 copies of the festival programme, which will be distributed from the start of April, giving local people plenty of opportunity to browse the listings and choose the walks they’d like to attend.
Walks can be listed under the headings of Arts, Culture and History; Walking for Pleasure; Nature and Wildlife; Health and Wellbeing, and Walking Sports. Walks can also be filtered by level of difficulty and accessibility, including mobility scooter or wheelchair accessible, near public transport, dog- or buggy-friendly, and more.
Once printed, Bristol City Council’s Roadshow Team will distribute programmes across the city, to local libraries, community centres and other local projects.
Bristol Walk Fest manager, Karen Lloyd, said: “There are very few rules – walks must happen during May, take place within the Bristol boundary, and ideally be free or offer a Walk Fest discount. We provide guidance, checklists, logos, templates, and social media banners. We can support anyone to lead a walk. If you have questions, just get in touch.”
Previous walk provider, Lucy Heard, said: “What I love most about being a walk provider is the people it brings together. Every walk has its own energy. Some are chatty, some are quiet, some are unexpectedly emotional, some are gloriously silly. Walking side by side creates space for conversations that don’t always happen face-to-face. It’s low-pressure, human and deeply Bristol.”
ristol Walk Fest is coordinated by Active Ageing Bristol and hosted by our lead partner Age UK Bristol, with funding from Bristol City Council. Our sponsors are Bristol Ramblers. Bristol Walk Fest is supported by Bristol Walking Alliance, Doveton Press, Go Jauntly, Your Park and Visit Bristol.
Bristol Walk Fest is coordinated by Active Ageing Bristol and hosted by lead partner Age UK Bristol, with funding from Bristol City Council. Bristol Ramblers sponsors the event. Bristol Walk Fest is supported by Bristol Walking Alliance, Doveton Press, Go Jauntly, Your Park and Visit Bristol.
