May is National Walking Month in the UK, a time to lace up your shoes, step outside, and embrace the simple yet powerful act of walking.
Organised by the charity Living Streets, this annual campaign encourages people of all ages and abilities to discover the #MagicOfWalking, promoting its benefits for physical health, mental wellbeing, and community connection.
What Is National Walking Month?
National Walking Month is a celebration of walking as a free, accessible, and enjoyable way to improve health and wellbeing.
Throughout May, Living Streets invites individuals, families, schools, and workplaces to incorporate more walking into their daily routines. One of the highlights of the month is Walk to School Week (19–23 May 2025), encouraging children across the UK to walk, wheel, cycle, or scoot to school, fostering healthier habits and reducing traffic congestion.
Another major part of the campaign is the #Try20 challenge, encouraging everyone to walk for 20 minutes a day. A simple commitment, but one that can significantly boost physical and mental health, while helping people connect more with their surroundings.
You can find more information and inspiration on the Living Streets website.
How to Get Involved
There are lots of easy and fun ways to take part in National Walking Month:
- Join the #Try20 Challenge: Aim to walk for 20 minutes every day during May. It could be a lunchtime stroll, an evening wander, or part of your commute.
- Participate in Walk to School Week: Encourage your children or your local school community to walk, wheel, or scoot to school. It’s a great way to promote healthy, sustainable habits from a young age.
- Organise Group Walks: Walking with friends, family, or colleagues can turn a simple activity into a social event that everyone looks forward to.
- Explore Local Routes: In Greater Manchester, there’s no shortage of beautiful walking spots — from canal paths to green parks and the rolling hills of the nearby Pennines.
- Share Your Walks: Use hashtags like #NationalWalkingMonth and #Try20 on social media to inspire others and celebrate your efforts.
For toolkits and further tips, visit the official National Walking Month page.
The Wellbeing Benefits of Walking
Walking isn’t just good for your body — it’s also one of the best things you can do for your mind and soul. Let’s take a look at why.
Physical Health
- Stronger Heart: Regular walking strengthens your cardiovascular system, reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Weight Management: Walking burns calories and helps maintain a healthy weight without the need for expensive gym memberships.
- Better Mobility: Walking improves muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, helping to keep you steady and strong as you age.
Mental Wellbeing
- Reduced Stress: Walking, particularly outdoors, helps lower cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Improved Mood: Physical activity releases endorphins, boosting your mood and helping combat symptoms of depression.
- Sharper Mind: Studies show that regular walking can enhance memory, creativity, and overall brain function.
Social Connection
- Community Spirit: Walking groups and events bring people together, reducing feelings of loneliness and encouraging community bonding.
- Family Time: Walking with loved ones is a great way to spend quality time and reconnect without distractions.
Walking in Greater Manchester and Beyond
Living in Greater Manchester means I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to walking routes:
- The Manchester Green Trail: A 40-mile route linking many of the city’s parks and open spaces, ideal for exploring nature close to home.
- Rochdale Canal Towpath: Stretching from Manchester city centre out into the countryside, perfect for a peaceful waterside stroll.
- Heaton Park: One of the largest municipal parks in Europe, offering woodlands, lakes, and plenty of space to wander.
- The Pennine Way: For the more adventurous, the start of the iconic Pennine Way is just a short journey from Greater Manchester, offering breathtaking moorland walks.
These local routes not only offer fantastic physical exercise but also a wonderful opportunity to experience the green spaces, history, and biodiversity of the area. What routes do you recommend where you live?
Tips for Building Walking Into Your Day
- Make It Routine: Start small, perhaps a 10-minute walk at lunch and build up over time.
- Be Creative: Walk during meetings (walking meetings are a great innovation!), take the stairs whenever possible, or get off the bus a stop earlier.
- Use Technology: Apps and fitness trackers can keep you motivated by counting your steps and showing your progress (I personally wear a Garmin watch and use Strava).
- Stay Safe and Comfortable: Good footwear, hydration, and weather-appropriate clothing make all the difference.
National Walking Month is a fantastic opportunity to rediscover the many joys and benefits of walking. Whether it’s a solitary stroll through one of Greater Manchester’s parks (or wherever you live), a walk to work, or a family outing at the weekend, every step counts.
Walking is free, easy to fit into your day, and can dramatically improve your physical health, mental wellbeing, and sense of connection to the world around you.
So this May, why not take the first step towards a healthier, happier you? You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve, 20 minutes at a time.
For ideas, inspiration, and to get involved, head over to Living Streets’ National Walking Month page.
Better Days Wellbeing 