Forest walking
Forest walking has been studied in 3 papers since 2022: 2 trials in people, 1 review; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Nov 4, 2026: “Forest walking promoted the psychological and physiological health of postmenopausal women”.
3 papers study it9 findingsUpdated
1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 3 papers on forest walking
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 3 countries.
“Tukey post hoc tests indicated that cumulative hair cortisol concentrations were significantly lower during one month of walking in the forest (p < 0.05), but not in the urban walking group, compared to values corresponding to cortisol secretion during the month preceding the walking activities.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: National Science and Technology Council and 2 more
- Human trial2
Studies in people
2 studies gave forest walking to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Increases heart rate variabilityHigher HF power and lower LF/HF ratio up: Increases SIgA/total protein ratio down: Decreases negative mood | Trial60 minutes | 24 peopleWomen≥50 yearsPostmenopausal women; Physically inactive postmenopausal women | International journal of environmental health research, Nov 4, 2026 |
down: Decreases hair cortisol up: Improves emotional well-being | Randomized trialone month | 54 peopleBoth71 ± 6.2 yearsOlder adults residing in Zvolen, Slovakia | Scientific reports, Jul 1, 2025 |
What did studies of forest walking find?
9Studies of forest walking measured 9 outcomes; the most studied are cortisol (1 study), negative mood (1) and SIgA/total protein ratio (1).
Cortisol
downin humans1
1 study
Cortisol
downin humans1
Forest walking decreases cortisol in humans (Physically inactive postmenopausal women; condition × time comparison with urban walking).
“Reductions in cortisol, cf-mtDNA, and NO showed significant condition × time interaction effects.”
Human trialPhysically inactive postmenopausal women; condition × time comparison with urban walking60 minutesfemalesn = 24
Forest walking promoted the psychological and physiological health of postmenopausal women
International journal of environmental health research
Negative mood
downin humans1
1 study
Negative mood
downin humans1
Forest walking decreases negative mood in humans (Physically inactive postmenopausal women; compared with urban walking).
“the forest condition yielded significantly greater psychological improvements and reduced negative moods, including anger (p = 0.002) and fatigue (p = 0.010).”
Human trialPhysically inactive postmenopausal women; compared with urban walking60 minutesfemalesn = 24
Forest walking promoted the psychological and physiological health of postmenopausal women
International journal of environmental health research
SIgA/total protein ratio
upin humans1
1 study
SIgA/total protein ratio
upin humans1
Forest walking increases SIgA/total protein ratio in humans (Physically inactive postmenopausal women; compared with urban walking).
“greater increases in the SIgA/total protein ratio (p < 0.001) compared to urban walking.”
Human trialPhysically inactive postmenopausal women; compared with urban walking60 minutesfemalesn = 24
Forest walking promoted the psychological and physiological health of postmenopausal women
International journal of environmental health research
Heart rate variability
upin humans1
1 study
Heart rate variability
upin humans1
Forest walking increases heart rate variability in humans (Physically inactive postmenopausal women; compared with urban walking) (Higher HF power and lower LF/HF ratio).
“Forest walking elicited higher high-frequency (HF) power, a lower LF/HF ratio”
Human trialPhysically inactive postmenopausal women; compared with urban walking60 minutesfemalesn = 24
Forest walking promoted the psychological and physiological health of postmenopausal women
International journal of environmental health research
Emotional well-being
upin humans1
1 study
Emotional well-being
upin humans1
Forest walking improves emotional well-being in the forest group.
“Two components of mental health showed significant improvement: emotional well-being (Z=-3.169, p < 0.01, r = 0.611) in the forest group and energy (Z=-2.515, p < 0.05, r = 0.484) in the urban group.”
Human trialin the forest groupone month
Scientific reports
Hair cortisol
downin humans1
1 study
Hair cortisol
downin humans1
Forest walking decreases hair cortisol in humans.
“Tukey post hoc tests indicated that cumulative hair cortisol concentrations were significantly lower during one month of walking in the forest (p < 0.05), but not in the urban walking group, compared to values corresponding to cortisol secretion during the month preceding the walking activities.”
Human trialhairhairone monthn = 54
Scientific reports
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Forest walking improves quality of life in humans.
“in quality of life perception”
Review
Effects of forest walking on physical and mental health in elderly populations: a systematic review
Reviews on environmental health
Depression
downin humans1
1 study
Depression
downin humans1
Forest walking decreases depression in humans.
“improvements in depression, stress levels”
Review
Effects of forest walking on physical and mental health in elderly populations: a systematic review
Reviews on environmental health
Blood pressure
downin humans1
1 study
Blood pressure
downin humans1
Forest walking decreases blood pressure in humans.
“reduction in blood pressure and heart rate”
Review
Effects of forest walking on physical and mental health in elderly populations: a systematic review
Reviews on environmental health