Walk and Talk for Men: Routes and How to Start

Ask most dads how they are and you will get “fine, busy, you know”. Put the same dad next to a mate on a long walk and, somewhere around the second mile, the real answer tends to come out. That is the simple idea behind walk and talk for men: you move side by side, eyes on the path ahead, and talking gets a lot easier. I have coached men in Archway and Highgate for over 10 years, and I have noticed that some of the most honest conversations happen walking between exercises, not sitting down. This post covers why it works, some local routes, and how to start your own group without making it awkward.

Why walking side by side helps men open up

Plenty of men find face-to-face, sit-down conversations about feelings hard. Walking changes a few things at once:

• No eye contact pressure. You are both looking ahead, so pauses feel natural rather than heavy.
• Something to do with your body. Movement takes the edge off nervous energy.
• A built-in reason to meet. “Fancy a walk Saturday morning?” is an easier text to send than “Can we talk?”
• Time. A 60-minute walk gives a conversation room to wander and come back to the important bit.

On top of that, the walk itself is good for you. The NHS describes walking for health as one of the simplest ways to get more active, and its Every Mind Matters advice on being active links regular activity with better mood. Walking will not fix everything, but it is a good start for a lot of men.

A walk and talk for men is not therapy, and that is fine

You do not need to be a counsellor to be a good walking mate. Your job is to show up, walk at a pace where you can chat, and listen more than you advise. A few simple habits help:

1. Ask open questions, like “How are things really at home?” rather than “All good?”
2. Let silence happen. Keep walking. People often fill it themselves.
3. Do not jump straight to fixing. “That sounds hard” is often more useful than a five-step plan.
4. Ask twice. “How are you?” then, a bit later, “No, how are you actually doing?”

If someone tells you they are struggling badly, or mentions not wanting to be here, take it seriously. The CALM support page explains how to reach their helpline, which runs from 5pm to midnight, and lists Samaritans on 116 123 and 999 in an emergency. The NHS also has a page on where to get urgent help for mental health. You can also encourage your mate to speak to his GP.

Route ideas around Archway and Highgate

Pick a route with a clear start and finish, toilets or a café somewhere along the way, and not too many busy road crossings so you can actually hear each other.

The Parkland Walk

The old railway line between Finsbury Park and Highgate is now a long, green path, flat and mostly traffic-free. The Parkland Walk website has maps and access points. My Parkland Walk guide covers where to join it and how long each section takes.

Highgate Wood and Queen’s Wood

Ancient woodland with plenty of paths, ideal for a 45 to 60 minute loop. The City of London’s Highgate Wood visitor page has opening details. Good in autumn and winter when the canopy gives some shelter.

Waterlow Park to Hampstead Heath

Start at Waterlow Park off Highgate Hill, then head over towards Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. There are hills here, which is useful: walking uphill means a slower pace and, oddly, often better conversation.

How to start a walking group for men

1. Start with two or three people. One mate from school pick-up, one from work, one from football. Small is easier.
2. Fix a regular slot. Same day, same time, same meeting point, for example Saturday at 8am outside Archway station. Consistency matters more than distance.
3. Keep the first walks short. 45 minutes, then a coffee. Let it grow naturally.
4. Use a simple group chat. Name the walk, post the route the night before, no pressure if someone cannot make it.
5. Set one gentle rule. For example, “everyone gets asked one real question each walk.” It sounds cheesy, but it gives permission.
6. Bring the kids sometimes. A buggy or a scooter does not stop a good chat. It just changes the pace.

Make the walk a bit of a workout too

If you want the fitness side as well, try these without breaking the conversation:

• Walk uphill sections at a pace where you can talk in short sentences, not full paragraphs.
• Stop at a bench for 2 rounds of 10 incline push-ups and 10 step-ups each leg.
• Finish with a 5-minute stretch: calves, hips and chest.

Over time, a weekly walk can become the foundation for more. For more on the link between movement and how you feel, see my post on exercise and mental wellbeing for parents, and if you are thinking about the bigger picture of men’s health, read my men’s health week post.

Where a bootcamp class fits

Walking is brilliant, but your body also needs strength work. A small-group class gives you both: a structured workout and a room full of other parents dealing with the same busy life. In my SYP Release stress relief class, we use pads and slam balls to burn off the week, and there is always time for a chat at the end. Nobody is forced to share anything. It is just easier to talk when you have sweated together.

FAQs

Is walking enough exercise for men?

Brisk walking counts towards the NHS target of 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. The guidelines also recommend strength exercises on at least 2 days a week, so add some strength work alongside your walks.

How long should a walk and talk session be?

Anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Around an hour seems to be the sweet spot: long enough to settle in, short enough to fit around family life.

What if my mate does not want to talk?

That is fine. Keep inviting him. The walk itself is still worth it, and the habit of showing up is what makes talking possible later.

Do I need to be fit to join a walking group?

No. Choose flatter routes like the Parkland Walk to start and go at the pace of the slowest person.

Book your first class

If your walking group wants a next step, come and train together. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in a weatherproof church hall in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, for all fitness levels. Book your £15 class or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215 and I will send the timetable. If you live up the hill and want more personal support, here is how my personal training in Highgate works.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.