To get going, just ask some friends and family to join you for a few weekly walks.  If you enjoy these walks, and you make sure other walkers enjoy them too, then your're ready to start a group. 

Then you can decide what kind of walking group you want: Is it mainly a social activity? Is it to reduce stress? Perhaps you want to help people who are new to walking? Maybe you want to use walking as a way to lose weight? Or maybe your walking group will explore your area? Decide how you want to feel about the walking group, and how you want others to feel about it. 

When you're ready, the next step is to find new people to join your group. It's really important that your walking group looks for and welcomes new members, as this will keep the group going, and keep it interesting.

Make sure you help those who aren't yet ready to walk at your pace or your distance; Bringing these walkers up to speed will be one of the most rewarding things you do.

We have a range of fact sheets to help you get your walking group started, and you can register your group with Get Ireland Walking. You can also find walking groups near you, to see how others run their groups. We also have videos that show the experience of a well-run walking group.

Still interested? Make a start this week: Contact some friends and neighbours, and make a date to walk together... and then do it the same time next week. Before you know it, you'll have a vibrant, active walking group to be proud of!