Walk 500 miles this summer – and proclaim it the best ever. Get your free 500-mile tracker now!
Join the challenge to walk 500 miles this summer, an incredible achievement that will transform your health and happiness and open up new possibilities in life. Whether you’re a seasoned walker, or you’re looking for a new challenge there’s always time to get involved and change your life one step at a time.
How far is 500 miles?
It’s an AWFULLY long way:
Six-and-a-half times as long as Hadrian's Wall
About twice as long as Scotland
Three times the length of Wales
16,098 Olympic swimming pools
67,692 double-decker buses
It’s also far enough to completely change the direction of travel for your health and happiness, redouble your resilience and your self-esteem, see you live longer, while avoiding serious disease, enjoy lifelong independence, build rich memories, revitalise your relationships and have more energy for all the things you enjoy in life. It’s REALLY big.
Can I really do it?
Yes! And you can do it by the end of Summer (Sept 22) or by the end of the year. Remember, all your walking adds up – and 20 minutes brisk walking is another mile in the bag.
Reaching 500 miles is an EXTRAORDINARY achievement, and you deserve to celebrate it in an extraordinary way. The brand-new 500 Mile medal is the very thing! Order yours here, don’t open it, and feel its magnetic power pull you toward your goal!
Order your medal from our shop ready to open it when you finish!
How to take part
1 **Register for free here**and receive our monthly Country Walking newsletter bursting with inspiration and support for your challenge, and access to competitions to win prizes from our partners!
2 Download, print and start filling in your 500-mile progress tracker chart (which you'll receive a link to when signing up) and track your miles.
3 Join the friendliest community on the internet. Walk 1000 Miles has the best Facebook group in the world! You can get ideas, help, make friends, share your walks, arrange meet-ups or just shoot the breeze – join our Facebook group now
“You CAN do it!”
Don Lane is a 65 year old 18 stone lorry driver with a total knee replacement who works a 40-50 hour week on nights. He’s just done his 500 in three and a half months! “I make every effort to get out, mostly local but also longer walks. Rather than vegetate in my cab, I will often do three miles on my break, plus before and after my shifts. It's surprising how quickly the miles add up!” A highlight of his 500 was when on a whim Don thought he’d see would see how many of London’s bridges he could cross before became too tired. The answer? 19 in 17.8 miles!
How it feels
Roger Taylor, 53 from Worcester has just done his 500 and says: “I feel fantastic for reaching my first 500 milestone. Whether it’s in the countryside, by the coast, up a mountain or in your local neighbourhood walking has such a positive impact on your physical and mental health and wellbeing. The challenge is a fun way to stay motivated, it has a real sense of community, full of encouragement, support and inspiration and the medal for reaching the 500 mile Proclaimer status looks great, feels great and gives a real sense of personal achievement. Thank you!”