Good old walking is making a bold comeback in 2025 as people rediscover its holistic health benefits. In a world that increasingly values sustainability and mental clarity, long-distance walking offers a slower, more reflective form of exercise that blends physical fitness with mindfulness. As an antidote to high-intensity workouts, walking provides a gentler, meditative path to wellness, offering benefits for both body and mind.
Increasing numbers of people are going the distance – on foot. For a while, low intensity exercise took a backseat to high-intensity workouts like CrossFit or HIIT, but partly driven by pandemic shutdowns and social distancing, between 2022 and 2023, low-intensity exercise saw a 176% increase in popularity , according to Well+Good.
Last year, the Global Wellness Institute listed the Power of the Pilgrimage as a top trend for 2024, stating that pilgrimage trails worldwide are attracting unprecedented numbers of visitors.
“Whether the 9th-century Camino de Santiago in Spain (in 2023, a record half a million people walked it) or Japan’s 88-temple Shikoku Trail. But a wave of new walking/hiking trails globally are creating cultural, historical and nature “pilgrimages”—because what the majority of modern pilgrims now seek lies beyond religious devotion. Recent data about the Camino de Santiago revealed that only 40% of walkers hitting its trails were walking for purely religious reasons. Most modern pilgrims are seekers, but they’re seeking a blended form of wellness: challenging physical activity, finding inner peace, being immersed in nature and local culture, and spiritual and personal growth. The line between the pilgrimage and the “epic walk” is blurring. And more countries are creating new epic walks and pilgrimages to fight their serious overtourism crises.”
And the long-distance walking trend is continuing into 2025 as people look for more sustainable ways to stay fit and maintain overall wellness. This form of exercise is gentler on the body and easier to integrate into daily routines as it’s accessible and cost effective.
Those championing the merits of long-distance walking say it offers a balance between physical activity and mental clarity that resonates with modern health goals. Walking regularly has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and dementia, and studies also suggest that walking may help reduce stress and improve cognitive performance, both because of the exercise and the time spent outdoors and in nature. Moreover, with increasing evidence highlighting the negative effects of prolonged sitting, walking offers a counterbalance, promoting circulation, improving posture, and strengthening muscles that weaken from inactivity.
Very Well Health reports that “millions” of people have started prioritizing daily walks to boost their physical and mental health. And that some are taking the trend to the extreme, walking 10 miles, or more, in a single day.
This trend is merging with luxury travel to create a new kind of wellness experience. Luxury walking holidays are combining walking with luxe accommodations and experiences. Dubbed “bootiquing” by Original Travel (via Country Living), this offers a more refined experience for hikers than the traditional rugged backpacking trips we think of when we think of long-distance walking. After exploring scenic trails, travelers can retreat to hotels that offer indulgent amenities like spas, gourmet dining, and dog-friendly services, ensuring both relaxation and elegance.
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