How to start a walking group in your neighbourhood

Three neighbours in Headingley started a weekly walking group on 15 June that now draws 18 participants each Tuesday morning along the Meanwood Valley Trail.

Community fitness efforts have gained traction in Leeds this summer as residents seek low-cost ways to stay active amid rising gym membership prices and longer work hours. Local groups report steady sign-ups since the council extended its active travel routes in April 2026.

Pick a route and set a schedule

Start with a familiar path that offers flat terrain and clear meeting points. In Burley, several groups meet at the entrance to Woodhouse Moor before heading toward Kirkstall Abbey grounds, covering 4 kilometres in under an hour. Another cluster uses the canal towpath from Leeds city centre to Armley, finishing near the old mills where benches provide a natural rest stop. Keep the first sessions short, around 30 minutes, and fix the time to the same slot each week so people can plan around it.

Leeds City Council data released in June 2026 showed that 1,240 residents joined organised community walks in the first half of the year, up from 890 in the same period of 2025. The council offers free route maps through its active travel team and lists approved starting points on its website.

Spread the word and keep it going

Post notices on neighbourhood Facebook pages and at the Hyde Park Book Club noticeboard to reach nearby residents. A simple sign-up sheet passed around at the first two meets helps track numbers and collect phone numbers for weather updates. Charge nothing at the outset; some groups later collect £2 per session to cover occasional tea at a nearby café. Contact the council’s parks department at least two weeks ahead if the group grows beyond 20 people, since larger meets sometimes require a short permit for popular trails.

After four weeks, ask members what distance or pace they prefer and adjust the route accordingly. Regular walkers in Roundhay have added a monthly longer loop that ends at the lakeside café, turning the group into a steady social fixture without extra cost.