Walktober and Walk Maryland Day

October is Walktober in Maryland! All month long, MDOT and partners across the state are celebrating walking, rolling, pedestrian safety, and the sidewalks, trails, paths, and public spaces that connect us to everyday destinations and to each other. Through events, Walkinars, online discussions, and activities focused on walkability, health, equity, community connection, and innovation, Walktober encourages Marylanders to get outside, get moving, and help build momentum for safer, more accessible, and better-connected places to walk and roll.

Walktober 2026 features six ways to get involved:

Join the Walktober Step Challenge - We're kicking off the Walktober Step challenge with a relay across the state — help Maryland reach 1,000,000 steps during October. Register Here. Learn more about the challenge below. This is a friendly statewide competition encouraging Marylanders to get outside and explore local trails, sidewalks, paths, parks, and neighborhood routes. Local partners will help highlight places to walk and roll across Maryland, and residents can keep the relay going by choosing a route in their own community.
Join a Walk on October 7 - Register for Walk Maryland Day or Walk and Roll to School Day! Register for Walk Maryland Day through the Maryland Department of Health, there are walks statewide! Or see if your community's school is participating in Walk and Roll to School Day here: Walk, Bike, & Roll To School website.
Tune in to the October 8 Walkinar: Equity, Engagement, and Community-Centered Transportation Planning - Hear from Michael Pollack, author of Sidewalk Nation; Oboi Reed, founder and CEO of Equiticity; and Aviva Klugh, AICP, MDOT’s Environmental Justice Officer, as they discuss how sidewalks, streets, and transportation decisions shape access, opportunity, community voice, and quality of life. Register Here.
Take part in the Power Hour on October 15. Walk or roll for 1 hour, with a goal of completing at least 1 mile, and log your steps to help Maryland move closer to the statewide Step Challenge goal.
Tune in on October 22 for a Walkinar on technology and innovation in pedestrian safety. Speakers will explore how AI, LiDAR, mapping, data, and performance metrics can help agencies better understand pedestrian needs and make safer, more informed transportation decisions. Registration Coming Soon!
Join us on October 29 for a Secretaries Panel Discussion on walking, rolling, safety, active transportation, and connected communities. Leaders from the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Department of Planning, and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will discuss how transportation, public health, planning, and community development all play a role in creating safer, healthier, and better-connected places for Marylanders to walk and roll. Registration Coming Soon!

Walktober Step Challenge

This October, help Maryland reach 1,000,000 steps during the Walktober Step Challenge!

Walk, roll, or move your way through October, then Log Your Steps. Every entry helps Maryland move closer to the statewide goal. You can also use the Log Your Steps button below to access the Step Tracker.

Want to compete? Register for the Step Challenge to be included on the leaderboard and compete for prizes and recognition. The leaderboard will track progress throughout the month, and winners will be contacted by email. Registration opens August 10 and closes October 15. To compete for leaderboard prizes, register using the button below.

Not interested in competing? That's okay! You can still log your steps and help Maryland reach the collective 1,000,000-step goal.

Walktober is coordinated by the Maryland Department of Transportation in collaboration with state agency partners, local governments, community organizations, and other partners across Maryland. Explore Walktober resources, campaign materials, event information, and Walkinar resources below.

Click Here to Register

Photo of older man and woman walking on a path

Walkinars

Each October, MDOT and guest speakers host free Walkinars on a variety of walking-related topics. This year’s Walkinar information will be posted as details are finalized. Click below to view past Walkinar recordings and resources.

Learn More »

Photo of a woman and child walking two dogs

Walk Maryland Day

October 7, 2026 is officially Walk Maryland Day! To celebrate, we are encouraging our Maryland citizens to register for official walk. You may register to lead a walking group by selecting the Walk Leader link below. To register to join a walking group, select the Sole Mate link below.

Walk Leader » Sole Mate »

October 7, 2026 is also Walk and Roll to School Day nationally. Register with the national partnership here.

View News and Events

Log your Steps

Testimonials

"Maryland weather in October is an ideal time to get outside to enjoy clear, crisp air and the beautiful autumn views on a walk. We are urging motorists to avoid distractions, follow the rules of the road and be aware of increased pedestrian and bike activities to ensure all of us get home safely."

Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

"We are all pedestrians at some point in the day — whether it's to walk your dog, walk children to the bus stop, or exercise outdoors — and Walktober is a great time to remind all road users the importance of doing their part to share the road. Pedestrians are reminded to cross at designated crossings when possible and obey crossing signals. Drivers should slow down, pay full attention to the road and be alert for pedestrians, especially in areas where high foot traffic is expected."

Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

"Walktober reminds us of the many walkable trails and recreational opportunities there are throughout our beautiful state. We encourage residents and visitors alike to explore Maryland's second-to-none trail system, which can show what a true hiker's paradise our state is."

Maryland Department of Commerce

"Walking, particularly in green spaces, can improve cardiovascular health and reduce stress. The Walktober campaign highlights these health benefits and serves as a reminder of the responsibility we all share regarding pedestrian safety on our roads and in our recreational areas."

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Walking is a simple, accessible form of exercise that can improve a person's overall health. We applaud Marylanders who already make this healthy habit part of their daily routine and encourage others to take the step to live healthier lives.”

Maryland Department of Health

"Collaborating with the Department of Transportation for Walktober is a natural partnership for the University of Maryland Extension. We have parallel goals of educating the public on health and wellness, as well as creating safe, healthy communities for all Marylanders.”

"We are pleased to be working with MDOT to promote walking so Marylanders can enjoy all that our state has to offer on foot. Walking is proven to provide economic benefits, including accessibility and cost savings, both to individuals and the public. It is also a terrific way for people of all ages and abilities to get moving and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Maryland Department of Planning

Videos

Partners

Resources

Walking doesn’t end in Walktober! Use these resources to get involved with your county, find a local trail, or learn about ongoing projects to increase pedestrian safety.

Advocacy and Partners

County-Specific Opportunities and Programs

Allegany County – Trails
Anne Arundel County – Trails
Baltimore County – Trails
Calvert County – Trails
Caroline County – American Discovery Trail
Carroll County – Walk in the Park
Cecil County – C&D Canal Recreational Trail
Charles County – Park Trails
Dorchester County – Walking Opportunities
Frederick County – Frederick Downtown Public Art Trail
Garrett County – Trails
Harford County – Parks and Trails
Howard County – Wild Walks & WalkHoward
Kent County – Historic Walking Tour of Chestertown
Montgomery County – Walk and Ride Challenge
Prince George’s County, MNCPPC – Parks & Trails
Queen Anne’s County – Trails
Somerset County – WalkSomerset & Walking Trails
St. Mary’s County – Guide for Walking in St. Mary’s County
Talbot County – Walks & Tours
Washington County – Hagerstown Public Art Trail
Wicomico County – WalkWicomico
Worcester County – Just Walk Worcester

Step Calculator

New this Walktober: MDOT in Motion Step Challenge

The Step Calculator is where Marylanders can log their steps or miles during Walktober. For Walktober 2026, steps logged from October 1 through October 31 will count toward Maryland’s collective 1,000,000-step goal.

Want to compete for prizes?

Registration is open now for participants who want to compete for prizes and recognition. To be eligible, participants must register by October 15 and log their steps during Walktober. A Step Challenge Leaderboard will track progress throughout the month and highlight top participants. Winners will be contacted by email to claim prizes.

Register here: Walktober Step Challenge

Just want to log your steps?

You do not have to compete to participate. The Step Tracker will open on October 1. Once Walktober begins, participants can use it to log their steps or miles throughout the month and help Maryland reach the collective 1,000,000 step goal. Participants who register for the Step Challenge must use the Step Calculator to log their steps during Walktober. Those who do not register for the competition can still use the Step Calculator to log their steps and contribute to the statewide goal.

Bookmark this step calculator to Log Your Steps during Walktober.