Now if the impending Olympic festivities have got you itching to get active and try something different, then you’ll be delighted to know that a special series of six new circular self-guided walks have been launched in the city, taking in some historic and memorable routes, that together, add up to just over 26 miles – the same distance as the course of a marathon!
The six Walk Cambridge routes are all colour-coded and vary in length from the 2.3 mile red route and the fully wheelchair accessible 1.2 mile route to the more challenging Black Route, comprising 11.7 miles around some of the city’s more distant points and outlying areas. The walks reveal some of Cambridge’s own sporting and Olympic history as well, visiting places such as Parker’s Piece (where the first unified rules of football were drawn up), the river Cam where Olympic rowers have learned their trade, and the modern day home of the University Athletics Club, which counts such Olympians as Harold ‘Chariots Of Fire’ Abrahams among its former members. You could even discover the shooting gallery under Queen Elizabeth Way bridge! The walks also detail the great contribution of Cambridge-connected people to Olympic teams over the decades, from the aforementioned Abrahams (100m gold at the Paris 1924 games) to gold medal winning rowers like Keiran West and Tom James, Paralympian Fran Williamson, and prospective members of this year’s Team GB like cyclist Emma Pooley, runner Andy Baddely, and javelin thrower Goldie Sayers.
Here are those routes in full…

Green Route – 4.4 miles

An ideal route for visitors arriving by rail. Highlights include the Fitzwilliam Museum, Mill Road Cemetery and the Botanic Garden.

Red Route – 2.3 miles

A relatively short route taking in some of the classic views of the River Cam and The Backs, as well as museums and shopping areas.

Blue Route – 3.2 miles

This route crosses Jesus Green and the River Cam to visit the North West of the City, returning past Kettle’s Yard and the Folk Museum.

Yellow Route – 3.3 miles

Wind down narrow lanes to the River Cam and The Backs, then visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and Christ’s Pieces.

Black Route – 11.7 miles
The longest of the walks, the Black Route takes in some of the more outlying areas of Cambridge.
Accessible Route – 1.2 miles

This shorter route is fully accessible for wheelchair users and offers views of many of the major colleges and the River Cam.

Complete all six and you’ll have walked a marathon – and can commemorate your achievement by picking up a souvenir cloth badge from the Tourist Information Office in Peas Hill.

Download the walks from www.walkcam2012.co.uk or pick up a leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre, Peas Hill.