13 Readers Share Their Favorite Walking Paths
Whenever I think about the Cup of Jo community, three things come to mind: our love for good books, the phrase “babies be babies,” and an invigorating walk. So! In celebration of springtime walking weather, we asked readers to share photos of their favorite paths. Here are a few… Above: “I live in Northern Germany, very close to the Danish border. My favorite walks are along the coast of the North Sea. The smell of salt in the air, the wind in one’s hair, the glittering ocean.” — Kristin, Süderbrarup, Germany “After my mother’s funeral, walking through Kew Gardens saved my life. Listening to an audiobook, watching the fall trees change color, and then seeing the park blanketed in snow helped me focus on the beauty of the world, and less on the roaring grief inside of me.” — Afroma, Toronto “Every Christmas, my mom gets our family a membership to the North Carolina Zoo — the largest natural habitat zoo in the world. My kids will stop our walks to see giraffes and climb big rocks. The best part is that at the end of a loooong walk, we can take a tram ride back to the entrance. Feeling the breeze through my hair after getting 10K steps is absolute heaven!” — Erin, Asheboro, North Carolina “These magical dunes in Death Valley look barren and bland but they are full of life — think: beetles leaving patterns in the sand, and kit foxes darting around in the dark. They’re my happy place.” — Hilleary, Moraga, California “Our friend owns a café four blocks from our house. It’s the perfect place of neighborly warmth and comfort foods — and safe enough to let my kids walk there independently.” — Emily O., Pittsburgh “Recently, while visiting my dad in Vancouver, I got to accompany him on one of his epic walks. At 84, he power walks for two hours every day. Looking at the cathedral of cedar trees always calms me.” — Emily, Boston “Over the past 10 years, my beloved sheepdog, Olive, and I logged hundreds of miles on this trail in Dallas. I processed major life decisions, made ‘hi-bye’ trail friends, used Merlin to identify local birds, and trained to walk the Camino in Spain. When Olive passed away in 2024, I wasn’t sure I could return. But after a six-month hiatus, the trail welcomed me back, holding space for my tears. Now, a couple years later, I walk it with my wonderful boyfriend. This trail has been a witness to so many versions of me.” — Erika, Dallas “My son, Davey, was born a few weeks early, and when he came home from the NICU, we started taking walks in Central Park. He learned how to see colors when the trees changed, and he still giggles whenever a bird flies overhead. The best part: this winter, he wore a full head-to-toe bear suit, which was reason enough for me to have a child. Those early weeks were scary. But seeing him blossom into a kid who fills out his stroller, grins at dogs, and flirts with strangers is miraculous.” — Julia, New York City “I love taking walks by the paddy fields near my parents’ home in a village in Indonesia, where the volcanic Mount Merapi can be seen looming.” — Raras, Yogyakarta, Indonesia “During my breast cancer treatment, walking this forest path near my home became a sacred routine. Even when I had no hair and zero energy from chemo, I’d put on my shoes and head out. I’d tell my family, ‘I’m going to church!’” — Alison, Aix-en-Provence, France “Rain or shine or wind (so much wind), walking this lake path every day of my maternity leave kept me sane and lulled my son to sleep. The Government of Ontario has shut it down for a controversial redevelopment project and I’m on my second mat leave now — I miss it terribly. Here’s to urban green spaces – may we continue to find ways to protect them!” — Jessica, Toronto “Prospect Park is my absolute favorite place to walk in New York City. The display of seasons is amazing.” — Shruti, Brooklyn “When my kids were toddlers, our favorite walking spot was the Cimetière de Montmartre. The cemetery was five minutes from our apartment, with no cars, lots of cats, and funny statues. The kids would ride their scooters without any worries. Once, when my daughter was three, she told a family friend that she was really into death and cats. I had to jump in quickly to explain!” — Michele, Paris Where is your favorite place to walk? We’d love to hear… P.S. A few fun facts about walking, Joanna’s favorite sneakers for long walks and more great reader comments. 0 COMMENTS Source link
