MAY is National Walking Month and Bradford Council is encouraging people to enjoy the health benefits of walking at the same time as exploring the district’s great scenery.

Many people have taken up walking during the pandemic and with the longer days and better weather, this interest is likely to continue.

The Council’s website has a number of downloadable self-guided walks. These take in beauty spots across the district. These include moorlands, canal towpaths, woodland and for something a little different, a ‘Fungus Foray’ at Raw Nook Nature Reserve or ‘Four Pubs and a Sewage Works’ from Apperley Bridge.

A number of our parks also have walking routes which can be found on the Bradford District Parks website.

In addition to the parks mentioned on the website, three other parks will be getting walking routes in the summer – Devonshire Park (Keighley), Bradford Moor Park and Windyhill Park (off West Royd Road, Shipley).

The Visit Bradford website also offers further resources with information on Bradford’s Heritage Trail and the Love Exploring app which can help walkers discover more about the places you visit.

Discover Bradford's rich heritage with new walking tours

Baildon, Bingley and Burley-in-Wharfedale are also part of the Walkers are Welcome initiative, which means they have special accreditation for facilities for walkers.

The Council’s Visitor Information Centres will be promoting walking routes throughout May on social media with #NationalWalkingMonth.

In addition, Welcome to Yorkshire gives information on local walks and the wider region through its ‘Walkshire’ page.

Also, the national Slow Ways website is a compilation of walks compiled by 700 volunteers during the Spring 2020 lockdown.

Emma Young, Cycling and Active Champion at Bradford Council said: “Walking is proven to have both physical and mental health benefits and many people have discovered this if they have taken it up for the first time during the pandemic.

"Walking as an alternative to driving will also cut carbon emissions. So whether you are out to enjoy the great places in our district or just trying to get from A to B it’s worthwhile on many levels.”

For more information on the walks visit https://www.bradford.gov.uk/site-navigation?l1=1194&l2=7604