13 May 2026 Walking Day: Participate and Win Austria-wide steps challenge, daily challenges and more for Walking Day – collect steps together, circumnavigate Austria and win regional ClimateTickets

27th April is all about the healthiest and most sustainable form of mobility: walking. Just in time for the big day of action, the new Austria-wide steps challenge kicks off with the aim of circumnavigating the country 25 times in total. Joint public transport hikes, for example with the initiative "Train to the Mountain", invite exploration. Regional ClimateTickets, thermal vouchers, and attractive prizes are up for grabs.

Whoever participates will certainly not go empty-handed: Even starting at 4,000 steps a day has positive effects on physical health. Walking also reduces stress and promotes the psychological well-being of children. Combined with public transport, it is ideal for reaching your destination cheaply and sustainably.

"From the way to work to a shared stroll: walking keeps you fit and introduces movement into daily life. Anyone who can forego the car and walks short distances is doing something for their physical and mental health," says Mobility Minister Peter Hanke. 

Numerous countries, cities, municipalities, as well as companies and educational institutions, are participating in this popular day of action, which will take place for the second time after 2025. Together with countries like Portugal, Spain, and the Czech Republic, Austria has also launched the initiative for an international walking day – this year already with a joint challenge and the opportunity for networking via #internationalwalkingday or #celebratewalking!

Will you walk with me? Challenge accepted!

In cooperation with the Walk15 app, the Österreich zu Fuß steps challenge starts on 27th April. For one month – until 27th May – the aim is to collect 100 million steps together and thus symbolically circumnavigate Austria 25 times. Anyone with a smartphone can participate: Simply download the app, join the challenge, collect steps, and win attractive prizes. Transport associations from all federal states, companies, and universities are participating in the steps challenge, with different daily challenges keeping motivation high.

Joint public transport hikes, for example with the initiative Train to the Mountain, invite exploration. After all, a large portion of the journeys using public transport starts and ends on foot: A survey revealed that 88 percent of people in Austria who used public transport walked to the stop.

Municipalities and cities are participating in Walking Day with their own local activities. Shared walks provide opportunities for encounters, and the use of residential streets improves the quality of stay. For decision-makers, the day serves as a kickoff to examine the pedestrian infrastructure in the community and plan improvement measures.

Cycling and Walking Summit

From 27th April, ticket sales start with an early booking bonus for the Austrian Cycling and Walking Summit 2026, which will be held in cooperation with the city of Eisenstadt, the state of Burgenland and the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) as well as the Interreg AT-HU PanActive project under the climate protection initiative klimaaktiv mobil.