National Walking Day returns on 11 and 12 October 2025, the event promoted by FederTrek which every year invites citizens, schools, associations and administrations to discover the beauty of moving on foot. Not just a symbolic initiative, but a real manifesto for slow tourism, capable of combining sustainability, health and community.
Walking: an act dedicated to sustainability
Walking is a form of self-care and land care, a way to rediscover the value of time, observe what rushing often makes us forget and reconnect with the environment. Furthermore, Walking Day does not just celebrate hiking, but promotes a sustainable way of living.
Each step reduces the environmental impact, enhances public spaces and promotes more authentic social relationships. Walking thus becomes a practice of environmental education and collective well-being: it is good for the mind, strengthens the body and unites people in a community dimension.
From cities to paths: walking to rediscover Italy
During the weekend, hundreds of organized routes will cross the country, from the medieval villages of Lazio to the transhumance paths in Abruzzo, up to the wine routes in Tuscany and the coastal paths of Sardinia. Every step will be an opportunity to explore unusual places, listen to border stories and discover ancient traditions.
In Lazio, you start among the centuries-old trees of the Bassano beech forest, a natural heritage a few kilometers from Rome, or you get lost among the lesser-known neighborhoods of the capital, such as Balduina, where the city reveals a quieter and greener face. In Abruzzo the transhumance paths tell the story of the age-old bond between man and nature, crossing villages such as Rocca Calascio and Rocca di Mezzo, up to the spectacular Stiffe Caves, where the path transforms into a journey between light and rock.
In Tuscany the protagonist is the Walking Francigena Ultramarathon, a challenge for long distance enthusiasts that covers the most evocative stretches of the historic pilgrim route. Meanwhile, in Sardinia, the pace becomes slower and more sensorial: among fragrant woods, welcoming villages and tastings of local cuisine, walking is intertwined with flavors and traditions.
Moving between Piedmont and Lombardy, we rediscover the Mondine routes, an itinerary that combines history, culture and gastronomy among rice fields, farmhouses and medieval parish churches. For those who want a more immersive experience, paths such as the Via Francigena, the Via del Sale or the Cammino di San Benedetto from Norcia to Montecassino offer days of walking among medieval villages, sea panoramas and spirituality. There is also no shortage of circular routes such as the Cammino dei Briganti, between Lazio and Abruzzo, where wild nature and popular legends blend in a border tale.
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How to participate
Taking part in National Walking Day 2025 is simple: just consult the interactive map on the official FederTrek website, choose the closest route and register online or on site, depending on the local organisation. Many events are free and suitable for all ages: from urban walks in historic centers to nature excursions in parks and reserves. Associations, schools and sports groups can also propose their own itinerary, thus contributing to the national network of shared journeys. The initiatives will be collected on the official website www.giornatadelcamminare.org.
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