May is National Walking Month and a good time to celebrate its simple joys.
Whether you’re looking for an hour-long stroll with a breathtaking view or a work-up-a-sweat ramble up and down some hills, there are hundreds of walks to enjoy in the South Downs National Park. While any walking is good for us, walking in glorious green spaces surrounded by nature has its very own restorative powers for both mental and physical health.
With 3,300km of footpaths, bridleways and byways, the South Downs National Park has the biggest rights of way network of any National Park. Famous for honeypot sites such as Birling Gap, Seven Sisters and Devil’s Dyke, but there are plenty of lesser-known locations that offer breathtaking views and tranquillity in abundance.
Kate Drake, Health and Wellbeing Officer for the National Park, explains: “We’ve all heard that walking is great for those feel-good endorphins and the heart and lungs, but fascinating new research is shining a light on electrical activity in the brain and showing that time in nature improves focus, attention and memory. Because we evolved in nature, nature is where our brains operate the best!”
One of the most invigorating things you can do is trying something new and what better time than National Walking Month?
We may all have our go-to walks and picnic spots, but why not try something a bit different? Make some memories this May and enjoy sharing your newfound adventures with family and friends!
Learn more about how to enjoy the South Downs National Park for National walking month here.
Picture caption: A late evening walk at Cissbury Ring by Emma Varley
