The Walking Cure: Harness the life-changing power of landscape to heal, energise and inspire

by Annabel Streets

The right place, walked at the right time, can heal, energise, restore and inspire. Instead of ambling the same old track, find a route to match and mend your mood … and prepare to be astonished.'

In this inspirational book Annabel Streets explains the curative and therapeutic benefits of 20 easy-­to-­find landscapes, both rural and from mountains to meadows, disused railway lines to rivers and coastal cliffs to city parks. Streets reveals not only the huge physiological benefits of walking, but also how these are exponentially enhanced by the particular routes we choose to walk. Streets investigates how different landscapes have proven abilities to change how we see, feel and experience ourselves and the world.

With warmth and wisdom, and using a compelling blend of anecdotal and scientific evidence, she identifies the perfect place to walk for over two dozen common states-of-mind, whether it be a canal path to spark creativity, a bustling city to allay boredom or the the shoreline to heal grief and insomnia. The Walking Cure celebrates the joy of walking and shares the extraordinary health benefits that landscape unlocks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Walking, Nature

352 pages, Hardcover

Published March 27, 2025

Reviews

[Ido · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has exceeded my expectations. In between some long and complex fictional narrative books and scholarly gems, I tend to read non-fiction books on different areas of life - and I am a walker, hence my wish to read this book.
I said it has exceeded my expectations, however it was well hinted in the blurb that this is not one of the same but is a good addition to the literature on walking.
One of the main aspects that makes this book different is that it talks about different elements that affect our well-being.
The layout makes it immensely easy to read the book. The writing is delightful, supported by credible studies, and amazing inspirational glimpses into nature, life, human psyche and many more.
I was delighted to read about space, bird songs, scents, cliffs and everything about walking.
Thank you #netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Such a splendid experience, reading this book was.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has just given me even more reasons to love long walks

[Sembray · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dee Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt so much about the different terrains and landscapes (canals, mountains, urban streets, outlands, lakes to name a few) as well as the different physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of walking these. Go for mountains if you need to be in awe, walk canals if you need a creative spark (for its straightforward nature will open your mind to fresh ideas), enter forests for calm and groundedness. Seek out the terrain your heart needs, was the big takeaway from this book. Thanks for opening my eyes to my favourite pasttime, I now walk with even greater purpose.

[Zach Grady · Rating 2 out of 5]

BORINGGGG - I get the point, walking is good for you, I don’t need like 8000 pages to harp on about the different landscapes and how one cures cancer and the other cures depression and how you should wear some ‘grounding’ shoes so you can absorb more electrons.

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

How lovely. I always loved to go on walks, be it for recreational purposes or because I needed to get myself somewhere. I used to be much more of a walker few years back, and my mental health had never been better. I then started working in sedentary jobs and it started ruining it all. This year after my father’s sudden passing, I’ve started going on long walks. This simple action has helped me more than anything else could have. And reading this book about all the goodness we can get from all the different landscapes has sparked my imagination to go further in my walking path. This felt like a beautiful ode to walking, and how we are inherent part of nature.
We need to protect our environment, it influences us so much that we ARE the environment. And this is said beautifully in this book.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐s
This is a very relaxing read. Just reading about the different walks and journeys through nature inspire a feeling of calm and relaxation.

This book is very well researched and I like how it is set out in different chapters depending on what kind of walk you might be interested in taking. Whether it be a nocturnal walk where you explore the stars or a walk around a lake where you experience the calming effects of a body of water.
The neuroscience research and the effects of different types of different experiences of nature on our brain chemicals and thus our mental and physical wellbeing is fascinating.
Very much enjoyed this book.

[Brian Mulhall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Walking Cure is a nice book, but I guess (and yes, this is on me) I was hoping for something that would relate on a human level, and the book does about half of that. The other half is where I get lost a bit i.e. the research essay element.

I do love that the book chapters were broken into different landscapes/walkways.

[Clare Kirkpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good evidence base but a bit contrived. Didn't need to be a book this length. From reading reviews of her other book, 52 Ways to Walk, I suspect there is nothing much different between both books, just formatted using a different listicle-type format. Not for me. I'd prefer something a bit more profound.

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I’d love this book - having enjoyed everything Annabel Streets (and Abbs) has written, and this didn’t disappoint. I read a chapter a day to absorb it fully. I could honestly read Annabel’s writing about walking forever. Just wonderful.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soooo obsessed with how she described the way the sun reflects off the sea as ‘sun glitter’

[Kirsty Cartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great science based insight into why we choose different places to walk. Would have liked more descriptions of actual walks but good read nonetheless.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

walking is good for you

Walking in multiple locations provides different benefits, all still useful. Hope this helps!
Walking walking walking walking walking walking walking

[Hattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and inspiring book. It explains why I have a draw to certain places more so than the environment around me.

[Kariss Ainsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting listen

[Budd Margolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vast, complete and some of it you will probably find fascinating.

[Tracey Perryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book and the great insight of walking in certain places has to your health benefits. Great light read.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why do some landscapes call to us at certain times of our life? Why do we sometimes wake up longing for the sea, craving the forest, rivers, ocean, mountains, starlit fields, city streets and cemeteries"

Thats what happened to me during the menopause. I was drawn to nature. trees, rivers, birds, gardening, meditation: modern classical music such as Ludovico Einaudi and Alexis French. Plus searching for my family tree including cemeteries.

"connecting with nature offers a powerful, accessible way to soothe your nervous system, lower stress hormones, and combat anxiety". especially during menopause.

[julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one to read slowly and savour each chapter. I was once told “ you will never regret a walk” and this book tells us why. Each chapter covering a different landscape covers the benefits of being immersed in the local environment and the benefits it brings. Loved the research proving the benefits of walking throughout this book. A great gift or just treat yourself. I am a NetGalley reviewer but this was a book I picked up from my local bookshop and purchased.