National Walking Month takes place in May every year where we encourage everyone to embrace the health and wellbeing benefits that walking or wheeling can bring, while enjoying the longer days and warmer spring weather.

Walk This May Challenge

This May Herefordshire is once again teaming up with Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Worcestershire County Council for the Walk this May challenge to see how many times we can collectively walk the length of the county border (53 miles) between 1 and 14 May.  

Last year we walked over 4,700 miles during the challenge - that’s the equivalent of walking the 53-mile border between the two counties 89 times! We would love to beat this and walk even further this year - let’s work together and see how far we can go!  To get involved find your local Wellbeing Walks group, join a walk and your steps will be added to the grand total. 

Walk to School Week 

18 -25 May is national Walk to School week - why not give it a go this month? Walking to school has lots of benefits from spending time together to leaving your child feeling refreshed and ready to concentrate once in the classroom. Find out more from our partner Stride Active. If you need some inspiration check out our blog walking to school and an active commute.

Walking also offers the opportunity to connect with others, learn new skills and spend some mindful moments taking in the world around you, which can help with feelings of depression or anxiety. It also offers the opportunity for volunteering - if you have time to give to others and would like to find out how to become a walks leader for one of the Wellbeing walks please get in touch, email hlts@herefordshire.gov.uk or phone 01432 383567.

Of course, you can enjoy the beauty of walking in Herefordshire any time of the year. Walking or wheeling is a free, fun and flexible way to build exercise into your routine, and Herefordshire is fabulous place to walk. Whether city, town or countryside, there are opportunities across the county to get out with friends and family, head out on your own or join a local group. Whatever you choose, while you're having a great time, you'll also be giving your body and mind a gentle work-out as well.

If you are inspired to walk more, find out how to get started with walking in Herefordshire.

Useful information

• Join a wellbeing walk
• Walking for your wellbeing
• Nordic walking courses
• Circular walks
• Walk to school
• Walking groups
• Walking sports info
• Spring spotter sheet - fun things to spot on a spring walk from your doorstep
• Easy access walking routes
• Hereford Public Art trails
• Public rights of way

 

Walking blogs

Looking for inspiration? We've put together these blogs to show you how walking more has benefitted others:

• Benefits of walking
• Linking walking to your wellbeing
• Walking to school and an active commute
• Volunteering with Worcestershire Health Walks

Social media toolkit

If you want to go a little further and encourage more people to get walking, download the social media toolkit at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

National Walking Month privacy notice