Get out and about in your local area for this year’s National Walking Day on Sunday 26 September. In celebration of the event, Sport Ireland has launched a nation-wide initiative ‘Get Ireland Walking‘ to help you find the best walking spots and events near you. The initiative is supported by the HSE, the Irish Heart Foundation and Ireland Active, among other organisations.
Walking Groups
Find a walking group in your area on the online locator page. There are a variety of organised group walks taking place across the country, so you can mingle while you exercise and discover the hidden treasures of your locality.
The interactive map allows you to search for groups launched by local and national organisations, encouraging the people of Ireland to get out and start walking. Some of the organisers include Arthritis Ireland, Galway Walking Club and Dudes and Dogs.
There’s a group walk for everyone, from gentle, fully accessible trails and parent-baby strolls to challenging and adventurous hikes.
Walking Trails
Alternatively, find your own way on one of the selected walking trails, approved by Sport Ireland. The online trail guide offers advice and guidance, as well as a trail grading for each location so you can select a walk that best matches your abilities and fitness levels. The grading system sorts each trail into one of five categories based on its difficulty and accessibility: multi-access, easy, moderate, strenuous and very difficult.
To find out more on what each trail grade entails, click here.
Men’s Sheds
There are many benefits to walking, including the positive impact it has on both mental and physical health. In an attempt to encourage Irish men to get out and moving, Get Ireland Walking has been supplying men’s sheds across the country with a walking toolkit.
The toolkit includes hats, high-vis vests, information leaflets and a toolkit booklet signposting to available resources. The programme was initiated in hope of breaking down some of the barriers that keep men from incorporating walking in their day to day lives.
Get your walking shoes on and find out what’s happening your area for this year’s National Walking Day.
