• Saves you money
• Lifts your mood
• Improves your concentration
• Helps you sleep at night
• Is a good way to spend quality time with family or friends
• Helps you get some exercise each day

It’s recommended that adults do 2 1/2 hours of moderate intensity activity per week (around 20 – 30 minutes a day), but many of us find it difficult to achieve this.  Walking is one of the easiest way to get exercise into your daily routine ; a 10-minute walk three times a day or a 15-minute walk twice a day will help you reach that target.  Try to walk briskly if you can to get your heart rate up.  Swapping short car journeys for a walk to the shops or school, going for a walk at lunchtime or meeting friends for a regular walk and a chat are all ways to build walking into your day.

The beauty of everyday walking is that most of us can do it, and there’s no need for any specialist equipment – just having comfortable shoes and being prepared for whatever the weather brings.

To plan your route on foot, visit Google Maps.  For walking in and around Perth city, see our walking and cycling leaflet.  To view walking routes across Perth and Kinross, view the Core Paths interactive map.

The Perth Lade

The Perth Lade is asset to the city as a green corridor and a convenient walking and cycling route from the city centre.

Perth & Kinross Council Lade Management

Get ideas for other routes on the Council’s Path page or if you know a local path that you would like to improve get in touch with your local Path Group.

Green Routes

The Perth & Kinross Council’s Traffic and Network Team are introducing Green Routes in various areas in Perth & Kinross, which can help connect up local communities providing economic benefits by encouraging leisure trips in these areas. Green routes are narrow country lanes where reduced speed limits have been introduced to make them safer and more attractive to use for walking and cycling. They also help to improve road safety and reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.

Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust

The Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust is working on improving and promoting paths in the Perth and Kinross Area, check out their website for lots of info on local countryside paths and maps. They are currently working on a new active travel route from Bridge of Earn to Aberargie in partnership with the Council.

Stride for Life

If you enjoy walking and would like to find out about walking groups in your area, visit the Stride for Life, Live Active webpage

Why not try walking to work?

If you live within 1.5 miles from your place of work, why not try walking your commute. It’s a stress-free way to travel, no need to worry about congestion or public transport delays. You could save money on fares, parking charges or fuel costs. It’s great way to keep fit and healthy, physically and mentally. It’s a great way to relax and wind down after a busy day, to clear your head before you get home.

• Planning your route – Check google maps, core paths routes etc to see if there are paths away from busy roads. Try different routes and time them so you know how long your commute will take. Have a direct route and more leisurely route you can alternate depending on the weather or if you are running late.

• Check the weather forecast – Before you leave check the weather forecast to see if you need your waterproof jacket or sunglasses or let’s face it both…

• What to wear – We all like to look our best but try to accommodate your look to be as comfortable as possible for your walk in. You can change into your 6inch heels or brogues when you get into the office. Tying your hair up might be a good option to avoid looking too windswept. If it’s dark when your walking in the evening or early morning think about wearing a brighter coloured jacket so your seen easily by traffic and cyclists.

• Your stuff – Before you pack your kitchen sink into your bag, think about what you need to take with you. Ideally your bag and contents should be 2kgs or less. A small well-designed backpack is the easiest way to carry your belongings. Don’t use a briefcase or a shoulder bag, you’ll regret it. Keep your hands free for the journey and one ear phone out to keep aware of the traffic.

• Two’s company – Is there anyone else you know who walks your way. Having someone to natter to on the way home is a great way to unwind and keep motivated to walk every day.