The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of spending time outdoors. September brings cooler days and changing landscapes, but plenty of reasons to keep walking.

Getting outdoors throughout the year supports our physical and mental wellbeing, and each season brings something different. Autumn is a particularly good time to practise one of the Five Steps to Wellbeing we often use at Positive Steps Outdoors: Take Notice.

See what’s changing around you

You don’t need to make mindfulness complicated. Taking notice can simply mean paying a little more attention to where you are.

As autumn progresses, places can look and feel different from week to week. On a regular walk through Tollymore Forest Park, you may notice leaves changing colour, hear them underfoot and smell the earthy scent of damp woodland. At Silent Valley, changing water levels can alter the appearance of the reservoirs and the surrounding landscape. And on upland walks, you may spot heather still in bloom, adding colour to the landscape, before its delicate scent fades and winter approaches.

Try putting the phone away for part of your walk and paying attention to what is happening around you. You may be surprised by how much you normally walk past without noticing. Can you spot:

• Migrating birds
• Berries on trees and shrubs
• Leaves changing colour
• Mushrooms and fungi growing along the path
• Squirrels gathering food for the colder months
• The smell of damp leaves or woodland after rain
  

TOP TIP: Take a photograph from the same viewpoint over several weeks or months, then compare how the landscape and vegetation have changed.

You don’t always need somewhere new

You may be tempted to keep looking for new routes, but returning to familiar places has its own benefits.

Besides seeing the seasons change, revisiting routes can help you build confidence outdoors. The more familiar you become with landmarks, paths and junctions, the easier it is to start relating what you see around you to a map. You can start thinking more about how the route fits together and gradually become more confident with navigation and planning your own walks.

TOP TIP: If you regularly complete a circular walk, try it in the opposite direction for a different perspective. But we don’t mean walking backwards!

Keep the outdoor habit going

As the weather becomes cooler and the evenings draw in, getting outside may require a little more planning.

Autumn is a good time to get into the habit of checking the weather before leaving home and thinking about how much daylight you have available. If you are heading into the hills, remember that conditions can be very different at higher levels.

Some days, a forest or lower-level route makes more sense than heading into the mountains, and a shorter walk can still give you valuable time outdoors.

TOP TIP: Carry a head torch and an extra layer of clothing as the days get shorter, even if you plan to be back well before dark.

Learn from each walk

Conditions underfoot start to change at this time of year. Paths can become wetter and muddier, while fallen leaves can cover roots, rocks and uneven ground. After periods of heavy rain, streams and water levels can also change, so take conditions into account when planning your route.

Your clothing will probably start to change with the season. Pay attention to what works for you. If you were cold when you stopped for a break, or your waterproof wasn’t quite as waterproof as you thought, you’ll know what to change next time.

TOP TIP: If you’ve driven to your walking location, leave a dry pair of socks and shoes, a warm jumper and maybe even a towel in the car. It makes the drive home much more comfortable if the weather takes a turn for the worse!

Keep taking Positive Steps Outdoors

Spending time outdoors doesn’t need to stop when summer ends. With a little more preparation, autumn brings plenty of opportunities to keep walking, and keeping the habit going now can make it easier to continue as we move into winter.

At Positive Steps Outdoors, we deliver Green Therapy events for businesses and work with community organisations to help more people enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature. Contact us if you’d like to find out more about organising a Healthy Hike for your workplace or community group.