Walking Pace will launch One Mile Walks later in 2024, here’s a sneak preview.
One Mile Walks is a new national programme all about going outdoors, getting moving and enjoying walking. The aim is to create and collate walks across the UK, each about a mile long, including detailed information about accessibility and the facilities along the way.
Collaboration is key for One Mile Walks to reach its full potential, so we would love you to get involved.
Why one mile?
We suggested in a recent blog that the mainstream walking market is saturated with products, guidebooks and messages from retailers and publishers, but very little of this is aimed at the easier and shorter (easier than ‘easy’ and shorter than ‘short’) end of the walking spectrum. This space is almost entirely occupied by charities, protected landscapes and community and health organisations.
The shortest walks are often not collated or promoted in the same way as longer walks. And in some circles they are seen as ‘lesser than’ or ‘entry-level.’ This is what we intend to shift with One Mile Walks – together we will create and promote good, well described and enjoyable walks.
Why one mile? You can see a lot in one mile and the key is finding great One Mile Walks. A mile is a good round number, and not as intimidating as a ‘short’ two or three mile walk. One mile feels manageable for many – even if it might be a personal challenge. Also, taking between 20 and 60 minutes, one mile might fit into busy schedules, though on walks with lots to do one mile could be the basis for a whole day out.
One mile may also lend itself to a challenge approach – a daily mile, or 20 one-mile walks in a month or 52 one-mile walks in a year.
Keeping all the walks similar lengths provides consistency – for some people ‘just’ an extra quarter mile would be daunting. On a One Mile Walk you know what to expect. We are aiming for walks to be between 0.9 and 1.1 miles (though shorter routes will be included.) One Mile Walks can be steep or flat, rugged terrain or paved – even a scramble, but never more than about a mile. They will however be carefully described, so people know what to expect and can choose walks they know they will enjoy.
See more One Mile Walks articles
Example Walk – Midhurst One Mile Walk
This early iteration of a One Mile Walk around the West Sussex town of Midhurst is a great example. It starts at a car park, next to the bus station, and near toilets. It heads through grassland to castle ruins, then alongside a river, to a millpond and back through the town passing stunning historic buildings, a museum and many lovely cafes, pubs, shops, and places to eat. It provides a bit of nature, a bit of history and a wander through the town. Lots to enjoy.
One Mile Walks will be better with collaboration. Get in touch to share your thoughts and get involved: matt@walkingpace.uk
