International Walking Day
April 27th 2026
What is the International Walking Day?
On April 27th, we celebrate – for the very first time – the International Walking Day.
This day is dedicated to honouring the everyday journeys we make on foot: walking to work, to
school, to catch public transport, to visit friends and family, or to enjoy leisure activities. Walking is
something we all do daily, yet it remains one of the most underrated forms of transportation.
#internationalwalkingday #celebratewalking
We all walk every day – so let us celebrate it! Join the movement and walk with us on the
International Walking Day on April 27th.
Thank you!
The International Walking Day Challenge was a great success and we are thankful for everyone who joined us and walked with us!
The results are in:
- We walked more than 4.7 billion steps.
- Which is 96 times around the Earth!
- With participants from 67 different countries.
Walking Challenge
🖈Participate in the International Walking Challenge
Join the International Walking Challenge #celebratewalking! Motivate yourself and inspire others to step into a healthier, more active lifestyle. Whether it's walking through the neighborhood, exploring new paths or simply taking more steps throughout the day, every move counts.
The International Walking Challenge is now closed.
Let's celebrate walking together!
How to get involved
🖈Start a national campaign
Start a campaign in your country and #celebratewalking!
Showcase the many faces of walking - from everyday walks to long-distance journeys, from walks to school, work and for leisure time - and help spread the simple, powerful joy that walking brings to people and communities alike.
Whether through social media using the hashtags #celebratewalking and #internationalwalkingday, through a press release or through partnerships with public transport and health organizations, there are countless ways to highlight the value of walking.
International Walking Day Toolkit
Use our toolkit to support your communication activities. The toolkit includes visuals, text modules, and templates for Social Media postings.
Join us!
🖈Join the movement
You are a representative of a country, NGO or national/international initiative? Sign a letter of intent and show your support of walking - join the movement!
Contact us via 🖂 ii6@bmimi.gv.at
Why walking?
Walking is the foundation of mobility. Everybody walks, but children and older people are the age groups that walk the most in their daily lives. By fostering walking for children and elderly people, we ensure mobility for all.
Walking is simply good for us! It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, increases concentration and sleep quality, and lower the overall risk of mortality.
Beautiful paths and squares are important places where we meet with friends and family. Walking makes us feel connected to our neighbourhoods and allows us to foster meaningful relationships.
When we walk, we take the time to get to know our surroundings better. There are little details hidden everywhere that we can explore and experience while walking.
Have you ever heard of the myth of 10,000 steps a day? We have too, but it is actually not true. Scientific studies have shown that just 4,000 steps a day have a positive effect on physical and mental health, while 7,000 steps a day keep us fit and healthy in the long run.
An initiative of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035, implemented in cooperation with numerous countries and international organizations.