Walking meetings: how to make them work

October 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Walking meetings work best for small groups — ideally two or three people — and for conversations that don't need screens: one-on-ones, check-ins, brainstorming and tricky discussions. Plan a loop that matches the meeting length, agree on one or two outcomes, and capture notes right after.

A walking meeting is one of the easiest ways to add movement to a workday, because it doesn't take any extra time. You were going to have the conversation anyway. Done well, they can also feel more relaxed and open than meetings across a table. Done badly, they're awkward, noisy and forgettable. Here's how to get them right.

Which meetings work well on foot?

Not every meeting belongs outside. A simple test: if you'd need to look at a document, share a screen or take detailed notes during the meeting, keep it indoors.

Good for walking	Better at a desk
One-on-ones and catch-ups	Reviewing documents or designs
Brainstorming and open-ended thinking	Detailed planning with numbers
Feedback and coaching conversations	Meetings with more than four people
Getting to know a new colleague	Anything confidential in a busy area
Talking through a problem	Decisions that need a written record during the meeting
Phone calls with one other person	Video calls where faces matter

Side-by-side conversations also have a different feel. Without direct eye contact, some people find it easier to bring up difficult topics or think out loud. That makes walking a good fit for feedback and for conversations where you want ideas to flow.

How to propose a walking meeting

Make it an invitation, not an assumption. Not everyone will be comfortable walking — because of mobility, health, clothing, or simply preference — and they shouldn't have to explain why.

A simple message works: “Would you be up for doing this one as a walk? Totally fine to stay in the office if you'd rather.” Mention it in the invite so people can wear suitable shoes and bring a jacket.

Some practical points to include:

Length: 20–30 minutes is ideal. Longer walks are fine for some, but tiring for others.
Route: where you'll meet and roughly where you'll go.
Weather plan: “If it's pouring, we'll do it in the meeting room.”

Plan a route that fits the meeting

At a relaxed conversational pace, most people cover about 1 km in 12–15 minutes — slower than a normal walk, because talking slows everyone down. So a 30-minute meeting needs a loop of roughly 2–2.5 km (about 1.2–1.5 miles).

A good walking-meeting route is:

A loop, so you end where you started without needing to turn around.
Quiet — parks, residential streets, riverside paths. Busy roads make it hard to hear each other.
Flat, or mostly flat. Hills make conversation breathless.
Wide enough to walk side by side, without constantly dropping into single file.
Accessible, with even surfaces and somewhere to sit if needed.

It's worth walking a couple of loops on your own first and keeping two or three favorites in mind: a 15-minute one, a 30-minute one and a 45-minute one. If you work in a city center, our guide to exploring your city on foot can help you find quieter streets nearby.

Running the meeting while you walk

Walking meetings drift more easily than desk meetings. A little structure helps:

State the purpose in the first minute. “I'd like us to come back with a decision on X” or “I just want to hear how things are going.”
Use the route as a timer. Reaching the halfway point is a natural moment to check whether you're on track.
Keep the pace easy. Match the slower walker. Nobody should be out of breath.
Pause when it matters. If someone needs to explain something complex, stop at a bench or a quiet corner.
Summarize on the way back. Use the last five minutes to agree on next steps out loud.

How do you take notes in a walking meeting?

Mostly, you don't — at least not during the walk. Trying to type while walking is distracting and a bit unsafe. Instead:

Agree on next steps out loud before you get back.
Write a short summary as soon as you sit down. Two minutes is usually enough.
If something important comes up mid-walk, stop briefly and jot it down or record a quick voice memo.
Send the summary to the other person so you both have the same record.

Walking phone calls

You don't need a colleague next to you to have a walking meeting. Many calls don't need a screen: catching up with a client, a weekly check-in, a call with a mentor. Taking those on foot is an easy way to add 20–40 minutes of walking to your day.

A few tips: use earphones with a decent microphone, choose a quiet route without heavy traffic, and mute yourself when crossing roads or passing noisy spots. It's polite to mention at the start that you're walking, in case there's a little wind noise.

If you're curious how much distance these calls add up to, a simple GPS tracker running in your pocket will show you. Minimalist keeps tracking with the screen locked, so you can start it, put the phone away and focus on the conversation.

Making walking meetings comfortable for everyone

Always offer an alternative. Some people can't or don't want to walk. Respect it without question.
Think about clothing. Suits and heels aren't walking gear. A heads-up the day before helps.
Watch the weather. Heat, rain and cold all change the experience. Have a backup room.
Mind confidentiality. Don't discuss sensitive topics where you could be overheard.
Keep groups small. With more than three people, someone always ends up walking behind and missing half the conversation.

Making it a regular habit

The easiest way to make walking meetings part of your week is to convert one recurring meeting — say, a weekly one-on-one — and keep it as a walk by default. Over a month, that's two or more hours of walking you didn't have to find time for. Combined with other small changes from our list of ways to walk more without finding extra time, it adds up quickly.

Many people also find that stepping away from the desk, even for a short meeting, leaves them feeling clearer afterward. Our article on walking and mental health looks at why walking can help with stress.

Key takeaways

Walk for one-on-ones, check-ins and brainstorms; stay inside for screens and big groups.
Always invite, never assume — and offer an indoor option.
Plan a quiet, flat loop: about 2–2.5 km for a 30-minute meeting.
Agree on next steps before you get back, then write a short summary.
Phone calls are walking meetings too.