What Is the Slow Ways Movement and Why It Matters for UK Walkers in 2025

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Walking has always been part of everyday life in Britain, but the Slow Ways movement is helping to reshape how people think about getting around on foot. If you enjoy walking for fitness, wellbeing or adventure, Slow Ways could open up a whole new world of routes and possibilities.

This national volunteer-driven project has grown rapidly since its launch in 2020. In 2025 it offers one of the most exciting developments in British walking. Here is what it does, why it matters, and how you can use it to explore more of the UK.

What Is Slow Ways

Slow Ways is a not-for-profit project that aims to create a national network of walking and wheeling routes connecting every town and city in Great Britain. Its goal is simple: help people walk between places safely, enjoyably and more easily.

It uses existing paths, rights of way, canals, parks and quiet streets to form long chains of routes. The name reflects the idea of travelling at a slower pace and rediscovering a gentler way of moving through the landscape.

The network is created and reviewed by volunteers. Anyone can join by plotting routes, walking them, leaving reviews, or suggesting improvements. Everything is free to access.

How the Slow Ways Network Works

The network now includes around 10,000 distinct walking and wheeling routes, covering more than 137,000 kilometres (around 85,400 miles). These range from short paths linking neighbouring towns to longer, multi-stage routes stretching between regions.

Some of the standout features include:

• Accessibility: Routes favour off-road paths, quiet lanes and traffic-free sections. Details such as surface type, gradient and obstacles are shared to help walkers, including wheelchair users and parents with prams.
• Practicality: Start and end points are usually in town or city centres, often near public transport hubs, allowing walkers to begin without a car.
• Community verification: Routes are reviewed and verified by walkers. Currently, over 5,700 routes have three-, four- or five-star ratings, and 4,254 routes are rated four or five stars. These routes can be combined to walk between distant parts of Britain, for example from Inverness to Penzance.
• App development: A dedicated app is being developed with extra details like muddy sections, step-free access, rest stops and places to eat.

Why Slow Ways Matters in 2025

Slow Ways is about far more than adding new walking routes. It is helping to change how people think about walking and mobility in Britain.

1. Inclusivity

Around one third of UK adults do not live within a fifteen-minute walk of quality green or blue space. Many also face barriers like cost, transport, or limited information. Slow Ways creates routes starting in urban areas that anyone can access, making walking more inclusive.

2. Connecting Urban and Rural Walking

Urban walking and countryside hiking have traditionally been seen as separate. Slow Ways bridges the gap, allowing people to walk from city centres to national parks and countryside trails, linking urban areas to long-distance routes.

3. Encouraging Everyday Walking

Slow Ways promotes walking as a normal part of everyday life. Routes can be used for commuting, shopping, visiting friends, or exploring new areas, not just for leisure or long hikes.

4. Building Community

With thousands of volunteers submitting, reviewing and verifying routes, Slow Ways fosters a shared sense of ownership and strengthens the walking culture across Britain.

5. Supporting Long-Distance Adventures

Many verified Slow Ways routes can be combined for multi-day journeys. The network offers more than 85,000 miles of walking paths, making it possible to travel across Britain entirely on foot.

How Slow Ways Helps New and Experienced Walkers

If you are new to walking, Slow Ways gives safe, clearly mapped routes starting close to home. This helps build confidence before heading into more rural or challenging terrain.

If you are an experienced hiker, Slow Ways helps you discover alternative access points to trails, quieter paths, and connections between towns you might not normally walk between. It acts as a gateway to more ambitious countryside hikes.

Five Slow Ways Routes to Try

Here are five appealing routes that offer a mix of urban, semi-rural and greener landscapes:

1. London to Epping Forest (LonEpp)

A gentle but rewarding walk leading from central London into one of the capital’s wildest ancient woodlands. Ideal for newer walkers.

2. Manchester to Marple (ManMar)

A canal-side and riverside route combining industrial heritage with green corridors. A great example of urban-to-countryside transition.

3. Bristol to Bath (BriBat)

Mostly traffic-free and following old railway paths. Suitable for wheeled users and a perfect introduction to longer-distance walking.

4. Leeds to Ilkley (LeeIlk)

Begins in the city and heads through parks, woodland and moorland. Ideal for walkers looking to build experience before exploring the Yorkshire Dales.

5. Edinburgh to South Queensferry (EdnSou)

A scenic coastal route with historic streets and iconic views of the Forth bridges. Great for a mix of culture and nature.

Final Thoughts

The Slow Ways movement is transforming walking in Britain. By connecting urban and rural spaces, making routes accessible to all, and encouraging everyday walking, it is helping more people enjoy the health, wellbeing and adventure that comes from exploring on foot.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, Slow Ways gives you the tools to plan new journeys, discover hidden routes, and connect with communities along the way. It shows that walking in 2025 is about more than exercise – it is about exploration, connection, and enjoyment.

To see more information, please visit the Slow Ways Movement website.