Walk News: National Walking Day is April 6, 2022

Published: Wed, 04/06/22

National Walking Day is April 6, 2022

Happy National Walking Day!

April 6, 2022 is National Walking Day, which is the perfect day to celebrate Maryland’s official exercise – walking! Walking has many benefits for your physical and mental health. To celebrate National Walking Day this year, consider lacing up your tennis shoes and visiting some of the beautiful hiking trails around and near Maryland.

Hiking Trails

Cascade Falls Loop Trail - Catonsville, MD
Rock Creek Park Valley Trail - Silver Spring, MD
Annapolis Rock via Appalachian Trail - Boonsboro, MD
Ma & Pa Trail - Bel Air, MD
Great Falls River Trail Loop - Great Falls, VA
Shenandoah National Park Dickey Ridge Trail – Front Royal, VA

The Pedestrian Subcommittee of the Maryland Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee

The Pedestrian Subcommittee of the Maryland Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC) will hold its next meeting on Thursday, June 23rd at 10 am EDT. The meetings will be virtual and will provide an opportunity to contribute to the upcoming draft of the 2024 Maryland Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan.

If you are interested in attending, please email bikepedinfo@mdot.maryland.gov to be notified with the agenda and instructions for joining the meeting.

Walktober 2022

Preparations for WALKTOBER 2022 are underway! This year’s month-long celebration supporting walking and walkability will include four Walkinars with guest speakers and an opportunity to register a walk on Walk Maryland Day. Details are currently being finalized, so please keep an eye on the Walktober website for updates.

If you missed any of the Walkinars from WALKTOBER 2021, please check out our video library for recordings of the presentations.

If you would like to learn more about WALKTOBER or are interested in becoming a partner, please contact Francine Waters at fwaters@mdot.maryland.gov and visit our website by clicking on the button below.

Walktober Website

Walking Tips

Walking just 30 minutes a day can improve your mood, lower your blood pressure, and boost your energy level. Whether you are taking a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood or lacing up your boots for a weekend hike, here are a few tips to make your walk as safe and enjoyable as possible!

Dress the part - wear comfortable, supportive shoes. If you are walking with little or no daylight, wear reflective clothing.
Pick out some tunes - create a playlist to get you excited and motivated to walk. Remember to stay alert while you are enjoying your music.
Drink water - stay hydrated before, during, and after your walk.
Choose the Safest Route - use sidewalks, crosswalks, and marked trails, when possible.
Find a Walking Buddy - recruit a neighbor, friend, family member, or four-legged friend to join you on your walk.

WalkCycle MD

Follow and like the WalkCycleMD social media pages to get the latest bicycle and pedestrian news from MDOT. Please send any pedestrian initiatives or news that you would like to see on the pages to fwaters@mdot.maryland.gov.

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