Put your best foot forward this May in National Walking Month! With spring in full flow now is a great time to think about getting outdoors and walking and wheeling a little more.
Walking releases feel-good hormones and studies have shown that it can improve your mood, reduce stress, help you sleep better and increase your energy. This is boosted further if you can walk outside and increase your vitamin D intake from the sun.
Best of all walking is free, easy and you can do it whenever you want. Read on below for walking motivation, walking in a group, where to walk and useful links. Enjoy walking and wheeling this May 2025.
Walking motivation
Try20
Living Streets is the UK’s leading charity for everyday walking. The organisation is encouraging everyone to walk or wheel for 20 minutes every day for the month of May.
Have a look at the Try20 checklist for 20 top tips for including walking and wheeling in your day.
Spring in your step challenge
If you can’t get outside you don’t need to miss out. Spring In Your Step is one of Dudley public health’s Let’s Get Moving challenges. It outlines how you can build up your walking legs, strength and balance while staying indoors.
Walking in a group
Walking with others is a great social activity that benefits our mental health too.
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12 to 18 May and the theme is ‘community’. Walking in a group provides a great sense of community through meeting other people and being in local spaces.
We have various groups walks you can join in Dudley.
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks and Nordic Walks
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Dudley are free, friendly group walks that take place across Dudley borough. They occur in parks, nature reserves and along canals.
Watch this video to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uND3Few0Lpk&t=32s
A weekly Nordic Walk takes place at Stevens Park, Wollescote Fridays – 1:30pm – 2:30pm.
For further information about the walks, go to the Healthy Dudley Walking page.
Time 2 Breathe Walks
Monthly relaxing wellness walks take place from different Nature Reserves in Dudley borough.
The free walks, which focus on enjoying nature and creating positive mental energy, are led by a nature reserve warden.
For further information call 07971 065712 or visit the Dudley Nature Reserves Facebook page.
Dudley parkrun – parkwalk
Did you know that you can walk at every parkrun event? Everyone is welcome to parkwalk, there is no time limit and with there being a tail walker you will never finish last! Find out more about parkwalk and about Dudley parkrun at the Dell Stadium.
Where to walk
We are lucky to have a host of beautiful places to walk across Dudley borough and walking trails to explore the history and heritage. Find out more using the links below:
Useful information
- Walk leader volunteering – Volunteer with Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Dudley
- NHS Active 10 app – Download the app to count your daily steps and help you set goals
- Walking sports – Discover different walking sports
- Ramblers Walking groups – Find out about longer distance walking groups