Hillwalking and walk leading motivations, perceived benefits and the role of natural environment

Abstract

Abstract Background Promoting the link between human and ecosystem health is crucial for building resilient communities. Hillwalking provides health benefits arising from physical activity and exposure to nature. Furthermore, it is likely to influence environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour through connectedness to nature. This project aimed to explore 1) hillwalking and walk leading motivations and perceived benefits, and 2) the role of the environment and nature connectedness among walk leaders and walking holiday guests. Methods The first study was completed with seventeen volunteer walk leaders and used a mixed methods design: hillwalking interviews, physical activity measurements, location data and the Nature-relatedness scale. The second study involved five group interviews with the total of twenty-five guests on three different walking holidays. The qualitative data from both studies were analysed using a combined thematic and grounded theory approach and the results were merged with the quantitative data to explore the impacts of environmental factors. Results Primary motivations for hillwalking included pleasure, escape from everyday life pressures, to re-charge, being in nature, social inclusion and health. Emerging overarching themes such as balance and adaptation were reported as essential values for walking and were linked to nutritional, physical activity related and environmental aspects of health awareness. The perceived benefits positively impacted on engagement. Connectedness to nature was linked to environmental knowledge and attitudes which manifested in pro-environmental walking behaviour. Conclusions The pleasure arising from several aspects of hillwalking or walk leading was the drive for regular engagement, therefore a primary intrinsic motivation. The results imply that attending group walking holidays has the scope to increase environmental awareness and engagement in outdoor physical activity and could be considered as a promotion tool. Key messages The findings have the scope to inform future walking promotion programs and encourage long-term engagement by shifting the focus of promotion messages to intrinsic motivational factors. The results support that hillwalking can be used as a tool for combined health and environmental awareness promotion.