Haunted Walks: Turning Your Evening Stroll into a Spooky Adventure
Halloween is almost here! For the last several weeks, I’ve been enjoying seeing more and more Halloween decorations pop up in front of the houses on my regular morning walking paths. I love the ghosts hanging from the trees, the giant spider webs clinging to houses, the whimsical inflatables, and the skeletons in all kinds of interesting sizes, positions, and formations.
But when the sun starts setting, those Spooky Season walks turn into something completely different. The leaves are crunching under your feet. You can’t see whatever it is that’s rustling in the leaves beside your path. The streetlights start coming on (or, in the case of the neighborhood where we regularly walk, there are no streetlights, so you walk in the glow of a flashlight). And the decorations are light up in oranges and purples to make the overall effect just right.
And it turns out that you can turn any evening walk in October into a spooky Halloween adventure.
What’s a “Haunted Walk”?
A Haunted Walk could mean taking part in an organized event—like a ghost tour or a special Halloween-themed walk. But it doesn’t have to be.
A Haunted Walk could also just be a nighttime walk on your favorite trail—or through your neighborhood. Just give your walk a spooky theme—and throw in a ghostly touch or two—and you’ve got some Halloween fun that just happens to boost the day’s step count at the same time.
Prefer Something Organized?
If you don’t want to plan your own walk, a quick search could help you find spooky events in your area. Try searching for ghost walks or haunted walking tours—or maybe Halloween trails. Check with your local museums and historical societies and parks departments, too. You might find special Halloween events or something organized by historic neighborhoods or even the local cemetery.
Or Create Your Own Event!
No organized events in the area? Not interested in joining a tour with a bunch of strangers? No problem! You can create a Haunted Walk that’s just right for you!
Whether you live in a small town, the suburbs, an apartment complex, the country, or the big city, you can absolutely create your own spooky walk wherever you are! Just work with this simple formula:
Choose Your Route + Add a Story + Wait for Dusk + Walk!
(I also recommend adding your favorite fall beverage to add to the fun.)
Choose Your Route:
Your route could be as easy as your own neighborhood—or nearby neighborhood. You could also choose a favorite trail, a historic district, or a park. Or, if you want to boost the spooky factor, plan a walk at your local cemetery—the older the better! Just make sure to look up the rules before you go because some may have special hours or visitors’ areas. If you choose to walk in a cemetery, be sure to be quiet and respectful.
Add a Story:
Spooky stories add to the Haunted Walk fun! Before you go, do a little bit of research and find a story to share along the way. Search for eerie tales or local legends to give your walk some local flair.
You can search some of the following places for good local stories:
– Historical societies
– Library archives
– Local history books
– Museum websites
– Older residents
You can use real historical events or legends—or take some other spooky story and give it a local twist for fun.
If you can find recordings of these haunting tales, you can play them while you walk. Or plan for a stop (or multiple stops) along the path, so someone can read a story at each stop.
Make It a Scavenger Hunt
Want to make your Halloween-themed adventure less spooky and more fun? Gather your family, your friends, or your neighbors for a Halloween scavenger hunt walk! I’ve provided an image that you can print or save—then check the items off the list as you go (or you can come up with your own list to print out). You can go out in one big group and work together or split up into smaller groups to see who can find the most items from the list.
Add a Halloween Playlists
Prefer music to stories? Create your own Halloween playlist using classic Halloween songs, eerie instrumental tracks, or even spooky sounds that will add to the haunting atmosphere of your nighttime walk.
Or, if you want a ready-made playlist full of Halloween-themed songs, you can just use my 5,000-step Halloween playlist!
Keep It Spooky and Safe!
Nighttime walks come with more challenges—and dangers, too. So be sure to follow these tips to keep your spooky walk safe:
– Bring a flashlight or headlamp to light your way.
– Stick to familiar or planned routes. Don’t wander off the trail.
– Wear light colored clothing to stay visible. Even better: wear reflective clothing.
– Make sure your phone is charged and handy, just in case.
– Be aware of traffic and others who make be using the sidewalks and/or trails.
– If you’re walking through a cemetery, be sure to follow the posted rules and hours.
Spooky Season provides so many possibilities for fun and/or scary themed walks! No matter where you live—or who’s walking with you—it’s easy to turn just another evening stroll into a Halloween-themed adventure!
Happy Haunted Walking, everyone!
