The government’s levelling up white paper, overseen by Michael Gove, is commendable in many ways, not least in being a “moral, social and economic programme for the whole of government”. The document sets out how opportunity will be spread “more equally” across the UK. It aims to “restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost”, chiefly the North and the Midlands. Yet the authors of the report have missed one important area of micro-regeneration in these areas: walking tourism. This is a long-distance journey often undertaken through culturally historic sites or ancient pilgrim routes, many of which are also National Trails. Such journeys have appealed to those looking to regenerate their lives and souls since early Christian times. It could be a creative way to stimulate growth where levelling up is most needed.