One Mile Walks is a new national programme which will be launched later in 2024, all about going outdoors, getting moving and enjoying walking. With collaboration we will promote great One Mile Walks throughout the UK in brilliant settings, but, other than the distance, what makes a One Mile Walk special?
The Walks
There are some great One Mile Walks to be found in National Parks, National Landscapes, towns and cities. But they can especially be found in local open spaces such as recreation grounds, parks and country parks. We previously wrote about the joy of walking in local parks and open spaces.
Though, finding good one-mile walks is harder than you might think. Often circular routes are far longer (or shorter) – and the temptation to go that little bit further to include another section of beautiful scenery can be overwhelming when writing a walk to show off an area. For some walking hotspots the car park is many metres away from the start of the trail – One Mile Walks count every step required as part of the mile. On linear ‘out and back’ routes half a mile sometimes does not quite reach the main attraction. Also, many of the paths in local open spaces and woodlands are not mapped, and often it takes local knowledge to find the best route.
This just means that we, as walk writers or land managers, might need to think a little differently. If the purpose is to get people outdoors and enjoying walking, then what is the best one-mile we can find? We also need people with local knowledge to send us their one-mile walks.
Everyone can enjoy a One Mile Walk, but they directly cater for a section of the walking community which are often overlooked – those for whom traditional ‘short’ and ‘easy’ are not at all short or easy. For One Mile Walks we are careful about language, to avoid judgements about whether walks are easy or otherwise and we do not make assumptions about a walker’s ability. Walks are described factually and in detail and do not imply you are missing out by not walking further (no ‘if you want to walk further’ alternatives.)
One Mile Walks can be across all sorts of terrain and varied gradients. Walks will include steep and rocky ground as much as they will tarmac paths around town parks. The key is that they will be a fixed length – so walkers can push themselves if they want to, knowing that distance will not be a factor. The conditions and features of all routes will be clearly described so that potential walkers or wheelers can choose walks to fit their circumstances and ones which they will enjoy.
One Mile Walks are not stepping stones to longer walks, though they could be. They are not especially designed to improve health and wellbeing, though they will. They are just good walks.
Whether new to walking, returning to walking, walking with a disability, recovering from injury or illness, anxious about exploring new spaces, walking with young children or just wanting a bimble in a lovely setting – One Mile Walks has something for everyone.
See more One Mile Walks articles
Example Walk – Selwyns Wood One Mile Walk
An early iteration of a One Mile Walk from a book of 50 One Mile Walks in East Sussex which is currently in development. The walk is through stunning woodland and heathland and provides a taste of wilderness and connections to nature. Managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust the space provides free car parking, good paths and great places to sit. There are no facilities at all on this route, but there are toilets and places to get refreshments nearby. Another great example of a One Mile Walk.
One Mile Walks will be better with collaboration. Get in touch to share your thoughts and get involved: matt@walkingpace.uk
