The summer’s the perfect time to take stock of what we have in walking and membership of the world’s greatest gym. We asked 1000-milers what they love most about walking…
The wind-down
‘It lets me wind down after a long day or week at work. One of my favourite places to be is on the fells or moors when I’m the only person in sight. I find it cathartic, and it gives my brain a chance to reset, to wash out all of the dross which collects over the week and to enable me to start again clear minded.’ – Katrina o’Connor
The sky
‘I love everything about walking I really like looking at the sky when out for a walk – it can be the same walk I do every single day but the sky changes every second…. It absolutely fascinates me.’ – Nicola Fast
The release
‘The freedom to think and go at my own pace. Walking helps my worries fade away. Oh and to be surrounded by the beauty of nature too!’ – Gina Crees
The freedom
‘It's free, you can do it almost anywhere, at almost anytime, you don't really need any special equipment, and just a walk "round the block", can be as rewarding as a "big" walk out in the hills.’ – Don Lane
The discovery
Walking resets my mind to calmess and I love when I've discovered something to forage along the way or found a new route. So many uses for wild garlic, and I picked up lots of pinecones today for firelighters and bird feeders’ – Gemma Jervis
The peace
‘Walking with my husband gives us a chance to chat, debate, or simply walk along companionably with no phones, colleagues or housework to distract – and admire the view, wildlife, greenery or even the architecture. And walking alone – the utter bliss of silence apart from the sounds of nature. The best mental health drug on the market’ – Sally Jones
The rebalance
‘Total escapism from the chaos of everyday life! It balances the brain and body and activates all the senses no matter what the weather or who you’re with – true natural medicine.’ – Rachel Wilson
Friends and memories
‘Walking with a group I've made friends for life; with my grown up children it brings us closer. With my grandchildren walking will give them memories of moon-catching nanny to hold all their lives and mine.’
– Linda Thomas
The small things
‘When I walk, I look for things that make me smile – a flower, moss, the shape of a leaf, bird singing, moss, the clouds, moss, blossom against a blue sky, moss... Ok, it's often moss!’ – Katrina Scott
The enchantment
‘Walking creates an inviolable space full of peace and simple joy, like walking down an enchanted path for a few hours before returning to the everyday hurly-burly.’ – Anne England
Being ME
‘I feel the most like the complete ME when I walk. I'm still mum, wife, worker, cook, taxi, family secretary etc. But walking, more than anything else, connects me to the little girl, who loved walking and exploring to find out what the next adventure or curiosity around the corner is. It’s mindfulness at its best.’ – Karen Hayes
The solutions
‘It gives me peace of mind, a chance to relax and forget the worries of the day. Walking helps me to prioritise situations, find solutions to problems and accept the things I can't change. It's finding that first bee of the summer, being out at silly o'clock in the morning and being the only one out there. Walking allows me to face any challenge, big or small, head on, knowing that whatever happens, I'll be ok.’ – Sandra Wilkins
The final word
‘All of the above, plus the tea shop at the end where a large slice of cake or a cream scone is always justified’ – Jo McDonough
Amen to that, Jo!
