National Walking Day is every year on the first Wednesday in April and takes place on April 1 this year. National Walking Day is exactly as it sounds — a day to celebrate the easiest way to be the healthiest version of you. Walking for thirty to sixty minutes per day may sound like it isn’t much, but studies have shown that it can drastically improve your health and even help prevent ailments such as type II diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
When is National Walking Day 2026?
Reap the benefits of walking and make it a part of your lifestyle on National Walking Day on April 7.
History of National Walking Day
Walking has always been a part of being human. Many archaeologists have found that even when humans were nomadic tribes, we would often walk great distances to stalk our prey (think Wooly Mammoths) and wait for them to sleep before pouncing. Walking is, essentially, what humans are physically we best at. We’re the slowest runners, the worst swimmers, and we can’t even fly without a big jet engine. Walking is the humans bread and butter.
Maybe that’s why during the Victorian era there was a little fad called pedestrianism, where walking became one of the major spectator sports in America and Europe until baseball usurped it. But individuals would wager massive bets over whether walkers could make it marathon distances and under what time. There’s a reason why racewalking is an Olympic sport, after all.
Whether it’s John Muir’s spiritual journeys through the woods; pilgrimages to Mecca; or just a casual stroll through your local park, walking has always held a close, dear place in the hearts of humans. It’s no wonder that there are so many health benefits associated with it and also why National Move More Month and National Walking Day were created promote this fantastic and surprisingly easy pastime.
National Walking Day timeline
According to fossilized footprints, it's likely that humans were walking similar to how we do today about 1.5 million years ago.
Pedestrianism enters the modern lexicon as a popular sport for betting who can walk the longest, fastest, and still keep the proper gait.
Racewalking is introduced as an Olympic sport following pedestrianism's popularity where a "fair heel and toe rule" is established.
Y. Hatano creates a pedometer based on the concept of 10,000 steps a day (what manpo-kei roughly translates to).
National Walking Day Traditions
Go for a walk!
Well that one’s pretty easy. Take thirty minutes to an hour to get the blood pumping and the legs moving!
Do a racewalk
Why not! They’re a great form of aerobic exercise and you can impress your friends with your new, faster walking technique.
Join a walking club
They’re a great way to get out, get the work done, and also meet fun people at the same time.
National Walking Day Statistics
3.1 miles per hour — the average walking speed of a human.
500 miles — the walking duration a pair of tennis shoes lasts for.
50% — the percentage of Americans who exercise regularly.
6,000 — the number of steps a day that improves overall health.
65,000 miles — the distance a person walks in their lifetime.
10 miles — the distance it would take to walk every week to end 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
20 minutes — the number of extra minutes of walking it would take to burn seven pounds of body fat per year.
2,000 steps — the number of steps that equal one mile.
60% — the percentage boost human creativity gets from walking.
15 minutes — the time it takes to curb sugar cravings by walking.
National Walking Day FAQs
Is there a National Walk Day?
National Walking Day is on April 6 every year.
Why do we celebrate World Walking Day?
World Walking Day is a fun way to be active and promote walking as exercise.
What is Warrington Walking Day?
The Warrington Walking Day Fair is an annual event for young people. Processions take place throughout the town and in parks.
National Walking Day Activities
Walking
Well, this is a no-brainer. Walking is, obviously, the most popular activity on National Walking Day. Just make sure you put one foot in front of the other.
Racewalking
Get out there and get competitive. Racewalking is great aerobic exercise and can help you zoom around your town at lightning speeds.
Light jogging
Or, if you prefer, take a light jog instead. Sometimes walking is just too slow for your speedsters and this next step up is nice and relaxed, but efficient.
5 Facts About Walking That Will Make You Walk Right Away!
It is popular
Walking is the most popular form of exercise in the U.S.
Walking does wonders for our mood
Walking increases blood flow to the brain and improves our mood.
It is a lifespan indicator
Walking speed tells us how long a person will live.
Walking prevents diseases
Walking can help reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer.
Hippocrates said it right
He said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.”
Why We Love National Walking Day
It gets us outside
Getting outside is an important element to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Walking is a great way to get out doors!
It improves our health
Walking 10,000 steps per day is an effective way to improve your own health.
It's easy to do
No weights necessary. No running. No special skills or talents. Just get out there and walk!
National Walking Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 7 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | April 5 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | April 4 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | April 3 | Wednesday |
