21 new walks mapped out as part of Milton Keynes Walking Festival next month

Throughout the month there will be a variety of walking events as well as a three day Walking Festival on the weekend of May 7 to May 9.

New self-led walks will also be published on the Parks Trust website for people to explore.

A spokesman said: "During the past year access to green space has been more important than ever. Being able to enjoy the great outdoors has been beneficial for our minds and bodies. Going out for a walk has helped us to stay active and be connected."

The Parks Trust cares for more than 6000 acres of parkland across the city and has devised 21 different walks for people to enjoy during the Walking Festival.

The routes vary in difficulty and duration, but there is something to suit everyone. A great family walk is the

introduction to Geocaching, or, for those wanting to discover more about the culture in Milton Keynes, there's the Public Art in Campbell Park walk.

Also included in the festival are walks t to explore areas such as Wolverton Floodplain and Waterhall Park.

Each month you can also join the Parks Trust on a Discovery Stroll. These walks are all accessible, sticking to hard surfaced paths and is dementia friendly. During these walks Park Trust Rangers will take people on a short stroll around a different park, talking about its features along the way with plenty of opportunities to stop, rest

and to look at and discuss points of interest.

Throughout the year, the trust also runs Walk and Talk events, with guided walks around a different park to learn about different topics ranging from bats to wild flowers.

For people looking for a more regular group, there is the Women’s Walking Network. This meets every first Thursday of the month and walks take up to two hours, covering around four to five miles at a moderate to brisk pace. They are a great way to socialise and meet new people, says the Parks Trust.

Dog walkers have not been forgotten either. Those who enjoy getting together with other people and their dogs, can join the Parks Trust Woof Walks. Led by one of their Rangers, these monthly Woof Walks are normally an hour circular tour and a great way to socialise your dog as well as getting to know a new dog walking route.

Finally, this month The Parks Trust are releasing newly created self-led walks on their website www.theparkstrust.com.

A spokesman said: "The Parks Trust would also like to thank their Walking Festival partners and volunteers. Without their support we wouldn’t be able put on such a variety of walks."