Movement in Good Company
Walking with someone — a friend, colleague, or neighbour — often feels easier and more enjoyable than going alone. Here is why, and how to make it work.
Walking With Someone Often Feels Easier
When you walk beside someone you like, your mind splits between the path and the chat. That can mean less time counting minutes or judging your pace. Many people find group walks easier to stick with because the social side makes the time pass quickly.
Being outdoors with others can feel more enjoyable than going alone for some people. A bit of walking, daylight, and conversation is a different experience from a solo session indoors. Shared plans — like meeting a friend at the canal bridge — often help people get out the door on days when they might otherwise stay in.
Solo walks still have their place — quiet time, your own pace, your own schedule. Use group walks when you want company and accountability. Walk alone when you need headspace.
How to Have a Good Walking Meeting
Walking meetings work well for brainstorming, catch-ups, and thinking through problems — not for spreadsheets or confidential documents. Pick a quiet fifteen-to-thirty-minute loop: canal paths in Groningen, a park circuit, or a familiar neighbourhood route with little traffic noise.
- Share a short agenda. Send two or three bullet points before you walk so you both know what to cover. Without a little structure, the chat can drift.
- Stop to note decisions. When you agree on something, pause briefly and write it on your phone. Walking sparks ideas; stopping helps you commit to them.
- Match each other's pace. Walk at the slower person's comfortable speed. Uneven pacing frustrates everyone and cuts the conversation short.
- Have a rain plan. Agree on an indoor route — a mall loop or covered market — for wet Dutch days so the habit survives all year.
Teams that try one walking meeting a week often feel more energised in the afternoon and sit less on busy days. Start with easy topics before moving sensitive conversations outdoors.
How to Start a Group Walk People Actually Join
Formal walking clubs can feel intimidating. Informal groups work better: same day each week, same meeting spot, no fee, leave whenever you want. Post in a neighbourhood app or tell colleagues: "Thursday 6:30 pm, canal bridge, twenty-minute loop, all speeds welcome."
Take turns picking the route each week so it does not get boring. Mix it up — city streets one week, grass and trees the next. After four to six weeks, many groups walk longer without trying, because the conversation carries them.
End with something nice if you can — tea at someone's home or a café stop. That gives people a reason to come back. Skip talk about speed or distance; the point is time together, with walking as a bonus.
Practical Reminders for Group Walks
Route Planning
Share the planned route with the group beforehand. Stick to lit paths after dark and avoid isolated areas when walking with new acquaintances.
Group Size
Groups of three to six allow everyone to hear conversation without spreading across roads. Larger groups should split into pairs with a meeting point.
Device Awareness
Keep phones pocketed while crossing streets. Pause the meeting briefly at intersections rather than multitasking through traffic.
Inclusive Pacing
Notice if someone falls behind or seems strained. Social walks should feel inviting — adjust speed or offer rest without drawing attention.
Try Mixing Pavement With Nature Paths
Once your group is comfortable on streets, add short trail sections for better balance and variety. Our nature walks page has a simple plan to build up slowly.
Nature Walks Guide