May is National Walking Month – here's how one York woman is trying to get us outdoors

MELISSA Talago loves to go walking. Like many women, she juggles the demands of children, a home, a husband, and a career. Walking is her "me-time".

"Walking keeps me fit," says the 45-year-old mum of two. "But it's more about mental wellbeing. On many occasions, working from home, dealing with the kids, I feel like I am going stir crazy, and I feel the need to escape. After walking a few miles, I feel completely destressed, and that I can go back and face anything."

That "anything" includes running her marketing and PR business Campfire Communications, and also Glamoraks – a new venture aimed at making it easy for women to go out walking, hiking or adventuring together. The social network, available online and as a mobile phone app, connects women with similar walking abilities to others near them or in places they’re visiting – in the UK and abroad. Already, around 1,200 women have signed up, at a cost of $4.99 (about £3.50) a month.

Melissa, who was born in South Africa but lives in York, launched the venture after spotting a gap in the market for women in the "squeezed middle" who are busy with kids and careers as well as ageing parents but who crave some time to themselves in the great outdoors.

She said: "Walking is proven to have health and stress-relieving benefits. It is particularly useful for mental health, low mood, and illness recovery and is a gentle way to boost fitness and lose weight.

"These are all issues that post-natal, peri-menopausal and menopausal women face. Yet most walking groups seem to be aimed at younger, less time-pressed adventurers or an older, retired demographic. What was missing was the bit in the middle."

She came up with the idea of Glamoraks after persuading mums on the school run to swap their city chic for waterproofs and join her for a hike. "On the first one, there were four of us; on the next eight; and on the next 16. They were the original Glamoraks: not your typical outdoor walkers; they wore anoraks, but were really Glamoraks."

Melissa has arranged a series of weekend events where members meet up for a long walk with an overnight stay at a youth hostel. But the real aim of Glamoraks is for members to take the lead and hook up with others for walks in their area, or further afield.

Melissa said: "Glamoraks makes it easy for women to find others to walk with whenever they feel the need for their outdoor fix, but who would prefer not to walk alone.

"They simply post a walk suggestion for a given day and invite others to join them. Direct messaging in the platform means they can finalise walk arrangements, and an article feature enables them to share their route, pictures or thoughts afterwards to inspire others.

"They can even buy and sell second-hand hiking kit, find someone to join them on a big hiking challenge or arrange a wild camp expedition."

She added: "You’re far more likely to go for your walk if you’ve made an arrangement to meet someone, rather than letting life get in the way. It’s also a great way to make new friends and beat loneliness. Hearing about other people’s lives and sharing your own stories while walking is a great way to feel more grounded, connected and less alone," says Melissa.

May has been designated National Walking Month, and Glamoraks has announced some events planned, which include:

Tuesday 15 May 15, 8pm: Meet a member - on Facebook Live

Jo Shaw is a beginner walker who is trying to walk more often to boost her fitness. Melissa says: "Many people think that they aren't fit enough to go out walking or worry that they will slow the group down. The trick is to find someone who walks at the same pace you do. Jo will tell us about her reasons for walking and share how she got over her nerves about walking with someone she didn't know."

Tuesday May 22, 8pm: Meet a member - on Facebook Live

Paula Lawson used to suffer from anxiety but started walking a few years ago. Melissa adds: "She noticed how the walks reduced her anxiety. She gradually pushed herself further out of her comfort zone, taking on higher mountains and finally leaving her job to set up a walking company. If you battle with anxiety or want to get inspired to get outdoors more, join us to hear Paula's story."

NNAS Bronze Navigation course: (November 10-11)

Learn how to read a map and use a compass on the Glamoraks-exclusive two-day navigation course for beginners run by Mark Reid in the Yorkshire Dales. A ten per cent discount to members.

Glamoraks Walking Weekend: Peak District (May 25 -27 May, one space left)

This is a fully-catered weekend with qualified mountain guide Susie Amman to explore some of the most stunning parts of the Peak District.

Glamoraks Walking Weekend: Summit Snowdon (September 1-2, eight spaces left)

Mountain guide Hev Lewis will lead two days of stunning walking in Wales, including a climb to the top of Snowdon.

To join, or find out more, visit: glamoraks.com