Oct 3 – 18, 2026
Oct 3 – 18, 2026
32 Miles. <br>Anywhere In The World. <br>16 Days.
32 miles.
Anywhere in the world.
16 days.
The Great Saunter Fall Challenge offers you the chance to test your mettle by walking 32 miles over the course of 16 days in October. This year, the Challenge also lets you help support one of our favorite parks we walk through on our iconic Great Saunter – Shorewalkers will donate all registration fees to Riverside Park Conservancy
Walk the Fall Challenge anywhere you like, anywhere in the world. Just like on the Great Saunter, you’ll cover 32 miles, but at your own pace – all in one day or spread out over the 16 days. Whichever path and pace you choose, you’ll have both met the Challenge and made a difference in keeping a great park clean, green, and safe.
Great Saunter Fall Challenge Tips:
Once you reach 32 miles, download your 2026 Great Saunter Fall Challenge Certificate from the link provided.
New York, New York
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Epidaurus, Greece
Chicago, Illinois
The Great Saunter Fall Challenge will be held between Oct. 3 and Oct. 18, 2026 — a great time of year to be out walking no matter where you live.
Registration is open from Aug. 5 through Oct. 18. Register up to four individuals; each can print a bib and finisher’s certificate from the link you receive.
The fee is $10 for one registrant, and you may register up to four individuals per checkout. This year, Shorewalkers will donate all registration fees to support Riverside Park Conservancy.
Part of Shorewalkers’ mission is the preservation of New York City’s waterfront. Riverside Park is an important part of that waterfront and one of the most beautiful stretches of the Great Saunter route.
This year, we are proud to make our annual Great Saunter Fall Challenge donation to Riverside Park Conservancy, which cares for the six miles of parkland on the west side of Manhattan from 59th to 181st Street.
Fall Challenge registrants will receive:
- Entry into a worldwide walking community
- A printable walk bib to customize with a number or name
- A printable finisher certificate to celebrate your accomplishment
- Email updates and encouragement throughout the Challenge
- The gratification of supporting Riverside Park Conservancy, which helps care for one of the most beautiful stretches of the Great Saunter route. Your participation makes a real difference
For the Great Saunter, everyone meets in NYC to walk the 32 miles together in one day. For the Great Saunter Fall Challenge, you walk the 32 miles wherever you are in the world over a 16-day period. You can complete the Challenge in one day or spread it over multiple days.
None at all. You can fit the Great Saunter Fall Challenge into your schedule. If you want to split the 32 miles into two days, four days, or even 16 days, it’s completely up to you. Walk in your neighborhood, or if you’re away on vacation, those miles count too.
Absolutely. Use our web-based Great Saunter map to follow the route. We’ll scout the route in September for any detours and update the map in time for the Fall Challenge start on October 3.
Yes, our Shorewalkers merchandise store sells Fall Challenge items. We’ll be updating the store soon with new merch for the 2026 Challenge.
Share your adventure by posting photos in our Google Photo Album and connecting with fellow participants through our Strava group.
We’d love to cheer you on on our social media platforms, so please follow us on Facebook (@shorewalkers), Instagram (Shorewalkers_NY), and LinkedIn (@shorewalkers) and tag your posts using hashtag #saunterchallenge.
As this is not a race, we abide by the honor system – you do not need to email proof that you completed the 32 miles. Tally your miles in whatever fashion is easiest for you – via an app or with pen & paper. We’ll send emails with a link to download your finisher certificate. If you do not receive the emails, contact us at support@shorewalkers.org and we’ll send you the link.
You’ll receive emails with a link to download your bib and finisher certificate. If you do not receive the emails, contact us at support@shorewalkers.org and we’ll send you the link.
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