Ways to walk
Photo: Peter Greenhalf
I want to be alone...
For some, walking is a solitary experience – the perfect time to collect their thoughts or to regain a sense of peace and wholeness in a pressured or troubled world.
For others, walking alone is the exact opposite of what they want to do. They like to walk with friends, a partner or family or with a group.
There are no rules about it, only personal preference. But if you do walk alone, consider the following:
- Don’t take unnecessary risks by tackling overly long or difficult routes.
- Know where you are or have a map and the ability to read it.
- Make sure you have plenty to eat and drink and are adequately dressed for the length of time you’ll be out.
- Be prepared to change your route if you feel unsafe for any reason, either in towns and cities or in the countryside.
- Consider taking a stick, personal alarm or mobile phone.
- Avoid using a personal stereo if this stops you remaining alert.
- Make sure someone knows when you expect to be back.
Walking with a group
If you are new to walking, uncertain about finding your way, don’t feel confident about going out on your own or just want some company, you could walk with a group led by an experienced walk leader. There are many walking groups offering led walks each week.
There are now many hundreds of schemes in Britain offering regular health walks for people trying to do more healthy exercise, including plenty of walks in urban areas and local parks. The walks are designed for people who are initially not able to walk far for a variety of reasons and no-one should feel they are too out of shape to take part, though please consult your doctor before starting if you are worried about your health.
You can get details of health walks in your public library, doctors’ surgery, from Walking the way to Health in England and Wales or Paths to Health in Scotland.
If you’re already relatively fit and want to try a more adventurous walk, many Ramblers Groups now offer shorter, easier walks of around 5km/3 miles to 8km/5 miles, as well as plenty of longer led walks in the countryside.
For more information see:
Led walks are also organised by independent walking clubs, some local councils, conservation groups and organisations like national parks and nature reserves. There are regular walking festivals offering a large number of public walks over the course of a few days: national festivals such as the Ramblers’ Welcome to Walking Week, and more locally-based festivals. Amongst all this there are bound to be many walks suitable for you.
Local libraries and tourist/visitor information centres are a good source of information about led walks. For more on festivals see our events pages.
Finding a companion
Perhaps you’d like to walk with just one other person? Try advertising for a walking companion through our walking forums. Similarly, outdoor magazines often run a column for people to find walking partner.
Pages in Take30
See also
First steps: more help and advice to get you started walking.
Take30 is a Ramblers promoting walking project. Read more about promoting walking work in Great Britain.
