Whether you do it for your health, your body, your mind or any other reason, you’ll soon discover Walk1200km is a self-improvement challenge that is hard to beat.

3.3km x 365 = 1200km!

Take on the Walk1200km challenge and discover how just 40 minutes and 3.3km a day can transform your life. 

Thousands of participants have already experienced the incredible benefits – becoming fitter, healthier and happier while building a daily exercise habit that’s easy to sustain.

They’ve discovered the joy of walking – the friendships made and strengthened, the changing seasons, new locations – and the power of this simple activity. It strengthens your body, boosts your brain and improves overall wellbeing. Whether it’s a stroll through local streets, a wander in a neighbourhood reserve, an adventure in a national park or a mountain climb, every step contributes to your 1200km goal.

Now it’s your turn to experience these benefits firsthand.

The beauty of this challenge is you can walk anywhere, anytime – on your way to work, with the dog, during lunch breaks or while dropping the kids off at school. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and the will to start.

When the going gets tough you’ll have an entire community of fellow participants in the Walk1200km Facebook group cheering you on, celebrating your milestones and supporting your journey. From beginners to seasoned walkers, this incredible network is perhaps the friendliest place on the internet and proves that walking truly brings people together.

The health benefits of walking are undeniable and you’ll notice them in the first few days. Long-term regular walking will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, strengthen bones and muscles and even reduce the chance of developing cancer. 

What are you waiting for? Step into 2025 with the Walk1200km challenge and start a life-changing habit that will carry you to a healthier, happier future.

How it works

1. It’s completely free – you don’t have to subscribe to Wilderness (though we would love you to) and you don’t need any special gear – just some shoes and walking clothes. 

2. Walk an average of 3.3km a day for 12 months. Keep track of your distances on the Progress Tracker included in this month’s magazine. You can start whenever you like; most people start in January and make a calendar year of it. 

3. Walk wherever you want – from home, in local parks or, for best benefit, in nature with a pack on your back.

4. Prizes can be won each month, but it’s not a competition. It’s not about who can do it first or walk the greatest distance. It’s an individual challenge, done at your own pace, with the focus on how much healthier and happier you’ll be by just doing it. And remember, the goal is to walk the greatest cumulative distance you can in 12 months – 1200km is the target, but any effort above or below that is worth celebrating.

5. Walk every day, even if it’s just a few hundred metres. 

6. Share your success – if people see you doing it, they will also be more motivated. You’ll make friends and celebrate milestones on the Facebook group. We’ll email newsletters, and publish stories of what you get up to along the way.

7. When you’ve finished, you can claim your medal and certificate! 

How to keep track

Use your device to track your distances and log each walk in your Walk1200km progress tracker.

For one place to log your daily distances, the free progress tracker is available on the Wilderness website. It will display your accumulated weekly and monthly totals. Stick it in a place where you will see it often so you are reminded of your goal.

To record the length and duration of your walks, download an app such as ‘Strava’ or ‘Map My Walk’ to your smartphone. There are also wearable activity trackers available, such as smartwatches or step counters with GPS recording capabilities.