walkering

Walkering is a term used to describe a deliberate practice in which walking is the central activity and framework for exploration, study, and personal inquiry. Practitioners walk extended distances through urban or rural landscapes with goals such as mapping routes, recording observations, gathering sensory data, or fostering mindfulness. The term is a neologism with no single canonical definition, and it appears mainly in online writing and local communities rather than formal academic discourse.

Origins and usage: The word likely emerged in English-language online circles in the late 2010s and early 2020s as a way to distinguish walking as inquiry from routine mileage. Its meaning varies with context—ethnography, urban exploration, or personal practice—depending on who uses it.

Practice and methods: Typical walkering includes route planning, pace regulation, and the maintenance of notes, sketches, photographs, or geotagged data. Some participants pair walkering with journaling, audio diaries, or mapping tools. Activities range from solo excursions to small-group walks centered on themes such as architecture, ecology, or neighborhood history. Safety and accessibility considerations are commonly discussed.

Context and reception: As a relatively new term, walkering appears in practical guides and community forums rather than formal research. Proponents cite benefits such as increased environmental awareness, physical activity, and richer field observations; critics question vagueness and potential performativity or exclusion.

See also: Walking, pedestrianism, urban exploration, pilgrimage.