Walktober and Walk Maryland Day

October in Maryland is recognized as WALKTOBER — a month-long celebration dedicated to walking, rolling, pedestrian safety, and active transportation. This year’s program will also highlight the important role sidewalks, trails, and shared-use paths play in connecting people to schools, jobs, transit, parks, businesses, and one another.

Throughout the month, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and partner agencies will host events, Walkinars, and online discussions focused on walkability, public health, equity, community connection, pedestrian safety, and new tools and technology that can help improve planning for pedestrian infrastructure. Walktober encourages Marylanders to get outside and move, while also raising awareness about the need for safe, accessible, and well-connected places to walk and roll.

Key Walktober activities include:

Walk Maryland Day and Walk & Roll to School Day on the first Wednesday of the month
Walkinars on Thursdays in Walktober
Walktober Step Challenge
Walktober Relay Challenge

Walktober Step Challenge

This October, help Maryland reach 1,000,000 steps during the Walktober Step Challenge. Together, that is roughly enough steps to walk across Maryland and back.

Participants can walk or roll throughout the month and log their steps to help reach the statewide goal. Those who want to compete for prizes must register for the Step Challenge and continue logging their steps during Walktober. Registration opens August 10 and closes October 1.

The Step Challenge Leaderboard will track progress throughout the month and show top participants. Leaderboard updates will be shared during the Walkinar series, and winners will be contacted by email to claim prizes.

Not interested in competing? That is 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

This year, MDOT is excited to introduce the MDOT in Motion Step Challenge, a fun and friendly competition designed to encourage Marylanders to get moving while helping us reach a collective walking goal across the state. Launching with Walktober, the challenge inspires individuals and communities to come together, promote healthier lifestyles, and highlight the importance of safe, accessible walking routes. This year, the challenge will establish a baseline to help us set future goals for walking. Over the course of the year, we’ll see which county takes the most steps and recognize your hard work during our 2026 MDOT in Motion series!

How It Works:

Starting in October, Marylanders can participate by logging their steps using MDOT’s new Step Calculator, which allows users to anonymously record how far Marylanders are walking across the state. The link for the step can be found here and all official walks from Walk Maryland Day will be automatically logged. Then, MDOT will share a scoreboard to see which county has walked the furthest at each of the monthly MDOT in Motion events. By October 2026, we will announce a winner for the county which logged the most steps per resident.

The process of entering your walk is simple, click the step calculator box below (also available on our Walktober website and Walk MD websites) and follow the instructions. Consider entering your walks on a weekly or monthly basis. In the future, we will be expanding this program and announce the rewards and challenges.

Why It Matters:

The Step Calculator provides real data about walking activity, giving MDOT and its partners a clearer picture of how people move through Maryland’s communities and transportation network. This data will help identify where accessible sidewalks and trails exist and establish a baseline for future walking goals.

By participating, walkers not only contribute to this important effort but also join a statewide movement celebrating walking as Maryland’s official state exercise. Ultimately, the Step Challenge emphasizes motivation, recognition, and community. Our goal is to design a challenge that recognizes participation and builds momentum for safer, more active communities during Walktober and beyond. This calculator will be available 365/days so that you can log your walks long after Walktober is over. Track your progress and help us keep MDOT and Marylanders in motion!

Stay In Touch:

And then? After Walk Maryland Day, keep walking! There will be walk-related events and educational opportunities across the state throughout the month of October, as Maryland celebrates Walktober, it reminds us that we are all pedestrians at some point during our day and builds to strengthen awareness of key resources, needs and opportunities to support and encourage safe walking. Be sure to check the Walktober website early and often, as registered walks, events, and programs will be added throughout the month. You can also subscribe to for ongoing updates from the Office of Active Transportation and Micromobility by adding your email here.