Submitted by Jessica Haskell on Mon, 2020-04-27 21:56
May 2020 is National Walking Month and, given that it’s currently one of the government-sanctioned forms of daily exercise in the UK, walking may already be a regular and cherished part of your day. If you're yet to get into walking however, or are just starting out, I’m here to share some ideas about taking those first steps, finding walks local to you and creating adventure close to home.
You don’t need an Instagram-worthy mountain view to enjoy walking. In fact, it’s one of the most accessible ways of moving your body whilst gaining the wellbeing benefits of being outside and clearing your mind. In her book Wanderlust, Rebecca Solnit says, “Walking allows us to be in our bodies and in the world without being made busy by them. It leaves us free to think without being wholly lost in our thoughts.” Especially now, when many of our normal forms of exercise and ways of being in the world have changed, walking is something that could help us reconnect to ourselves and our surroundings in difficult times.
Most of us know how good walking can be for mental and physical health. But if you’ve been meaning to start and haven’t yet been able to work it into your lockdown routine, consider only listening to a favourite audiobook or podcast when you’re out for a walk, extending your trip to the shops by taking a detour to the local park, or setting yourself a scavenger hunt. Logging walks through the Cambridge staff running group on Strava or another virtual club can be a great way of staying motivated by being part of a community of likeminded people. Online resources like Walks with Wheelchairs and The Outdoor Guide provide information about wheelchair and pushchair accessible trails so that those with impaired mobility can also enjoy the benefits of getting outside. Please bear in mind that some managers of popular trails like the National Trust are either recommending against or outright banning use of their trails at the time of writing, so check before you go.
If you’re already a keen walker like I am, you might be feeling frustrated at cancelled spring hiking plans, but now is a good time to reconnect with what you really love about hiking in the first place, like the meditative feel of walking and observing nature. Those things are just as available to you on a walk around your local park as they are on a remote trail. When you’re stuck indoors you could use the time to start planning your next dream walk by looking over guidebooks and maps, or researching gear and testing it out at home. If you prefer digital ways of planning, I’ve used both ViewRanger and All Trails to plan walks, both of which have crowd-sourced reviews and accessibility information about the trails. You can save a list of your favourites for future adventures. Apps like these are also a great way of finding new places to walk near you.
If you can’t wait until the lockdown ends, the Ordnance Survey Get Outside champions have some great ideas for scratching your adventure itch without roaming too far from home. How about taking part in a step challenge with your family, colleagues or your whole Department? The British Heart Foundation have shared a resource giving the equivalent footsteps it takes to virtually climb landmarks, like Snowdon, Big Ben and even Mount Everest, using your own stairs!
Whenever you do go out and walk, please stay safe and ensure that you are following the government’s latest guidelines. The Ramblers also have some great guidance on walking responsibly in the current situation, including avoiding touching gates and railings with your hands where possible and timing your walk to avoid crowds. Wherever your feet or wheels take you, take a deep breath, enjoy the time you get outdoors and remember to look after your local communities and ecosystems!
Further resources
- Ordnance Survey Greenspace: OS have mapped green spaces across the UK and it’s a great way of identifying new places near you that might make a pleasant walk.
- Living Streets: This group campaigns for greater access to pedestrian friendly urban spaces based on the wellbeing benefits of walking. They also have great ideas for urban walks.
- Just Walk: As the founders of National Walking Month, British Heart Foundation have resources to help you set walking challenges and raise money at the same time, a great way to get excited about walking.
- Ramblers: The UK’s largest walking organisation, the Ramblers, have plenty of resources to help you plan walks, as well as advocating for the protection of pedestrian access in the countryside.
About Kirsten Lamb
I’m an Information Specialist at Centre for Digital Built Britain, the head of our Green Impact team and our Environment and Energy Coordinator. I grew up hiking in the backcountry of Washington State, and in the last five years have rediscovered a passion for long distance walking on the trails of the UK. I’m currently dreaming of my next hike, on the Southwest Coast Path, when the lockdown is lifted! I blog about information literacy, the environment and hiking at An Information Professional in the Wild.