The Walk1200km challenge doesn’t have to be done in the wilderness. Urban walks can be just as refreshing for your body and mind. By Diana Ward

What’s the attraction of urban walking? Surely, it’s a poor second to rural or wilderness walking? Not everyone would agree, least of all some Walk1200km participants, who’ve discovered, often to their surprise, that urban and suburban walking can be enjoyable, rewarding and fun.

Can we get past considering urban walking as purely a chore to keep us fit for the next tramp? It may serve that purpose, but can also offer much more if things are tweaked a bit. Interestingly, few of those spoken to for this piece mentioned the noise, fumes or stop/start nature of street walking. Instead, common themes were deriving enjoyment from getting to know their neighbourhoods better, connecting with others, the convenience and cost-effectiveness of walking close to home, the health benefits, and delighting in the little things observable at walking pace.

There’s still a long way to go, yet many of New Zealand’s towns and cities are becoming more walker-friendly. 

It’s not just about recreation. Walking is regarded as a mode of ‘active transport’ encouraged along with cycling, skateboarding and scootering. Bonuses are that by choosing to commute or run errands on foot, we’re cutting our carbon emissions – and we’re getting fitter and lifting our mood as we go.

Lindsay Smith, Dunedin

As a tramper, I never thought I’d become a passionate urban walker. Then, a major health crisis hit.

“I was almost at the end of my tenure as president of the NZ Alpine Club when I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition requiring surgery. Then, I was bedridden for six weeks in 2021. It was a terrible year. How would my retirement look now? Would I ever walk in the hills with my mates again? 

“What got me out of the doldrums and into rehab was committing to Walk1200km. It was the key to rediscovering the joy of being alive.

“I started small: out the front door with our dog Bindi on the flat, gradually tackling inclines, then nearby hills. 

“Urban walking is simple and so rewarding. I love finding treasures in nature scattered through the city, from the flock of tūī in our street to pockets of bush hugging the hills. An unexpected outcome is that I feel a greater sense of community now, often pausing to enjoy random conversations with other walkers.

“I take my time. Urban walking has become a kind of meditation. I observe what’s around me, stop if I feel like it, and breathe. My aim is to get fitter and look after myself physically and mentally.

“I may not run up hills any more, but I celebrated Matariki by walking with friends to Mt Aspiring Hut that, over the years, I’ve helped refurbish.”

Fiona Gilston, Christchurch

Every street holds a new option.

“I used to tramp a lot, but a change in life direction has seen me walking around the hills and suburbs of my home city this year. It’s mostly about getting fresh air. I work from home, so it gives me an excuse to get out of the house. Sometimes, I visit a favourite café for a coffee and pain au chocolat. Generally, I don’t have a plan.

“I walk solo. I’m a daydreamer and either walk completely self-absorbed or I ‘people-watch’ and imagine what those around me are doing with their day.

“Needing to add kilometres to my Walk1200km tally, I started walking to places rather than driving. It wasn’t an intentional goal, but I’m using the car less.

“I tend to walk on a whim. I’ll head down the driveway, not knowing whether I’ll turn left or right, perhaps choosing an unfamiliar street, following the course of the river or sometimes the gridded streets. I might wear headphones and listen to music one day, but tune into the sounds of the city the next. Decisions are made on how I’m feeling that day.

“To get more from urban walking, I’d suggest walking a different route each time. Look at parks or buildings in the neighbourhood on a map and seek out new ones to walk to or go past. Or have no plan at all!”

Donnelle Cheree, Auckland

Urban walking has improved my mental and physical health.

“I’m a single mum with three autistic kids, and they can now be left alone while I walk around the block. The quiet time has helped get me out of some pretty bleak places. I’ve lost 28kg in a year. Another 7kg, and I’m jumping out of a plane!

“I’ve reached 1200km walking almost only in my Auckland neighbourhood of Papakura. Even the more ‘natural’ walks have been within the city. While I mostly walk alone, mum is doing the challenge, too. Occasionally, the kids will respond to bribery and join me.

“My life is time-constrained so I take the opportunity to walk whenever I can. Replacing a car trip to the supermarket with a walk is  an alternative to going around the block

“I enjoy getting to know local ‘landmarks’ – the bulldog that watches me from the window like a grumpy old man, the garden gnome and the guava tree. I’ve become more aware of the natural cycles – when the sun rises and sets, the passing of the seasons, and what’s blooming when.

I’d encourage anyone to urban walk. All you need is willpower and some good shoes.”

Ideas to enhance your urban walking

If you’re feeling lacklustre about your urban walks, some new approaches can add zing.

Theme your walks. Plan a walk that takes in street art, heritage sites, tracks a river or the coast, or skips across green spaces (amp it up by walking on grass or natural surfaces wherever possible).

Become a so-called ‘every-single-streeter’. Get to know your town or city in detail by walking every street, even cul-de-sacs and alleyways. Record the streets on a map, your walking app or on CityStrides (compatible with many trackers), an app used by other ‘every-single-streeters’ around the world.

Gamify your walks. Compete with yourself or others – improve your time on a set walk or increase the distance  covered every day or week. Invent your own games. Christine Barnes-Tuka, who walks in Whanganui and Waverley, sees how long she can remember licence plates, adds up the numbers and makes words from the letters. Almost everyone loves a treasure hunt. Coax reluctant children to walk by hiding snacks, clues or toys on a track. Tried geocaching? 

Photo walk. The Walk1200km Facebook page demonstrates there are many keen photographers among us. As well as photos of your walks and #microchallenge entries, how about adopting a theme to focus on – quirky letterboxes, skyscapes, art and graffiti, or pets in your ’hood?

Purposeless walking. Head out with no plan, preferably free of tech. With no distractions, be in the moment, observing everything around you – look up as well as down and around.