Habitual upright walking is a characteristically human trait that provides a unique set of physiological challenges. When standing erect, two-thirds of the body's mass is located two-thirds of the body height from the ground, precariously balanced on two narrow legs with the only direct contact with the ground provided by the feet. Such a structure challenges the basic principles of mechanical engineering and requires a highly developed postural control system to ensure that the body remains upright. However, in order to progress forwards, it is necessary to repeatedly initiate a forward fall and then ‘re-capture’ this momentum by the appropriate placement of the leading limb. The potential for a loss of balance when performing an apparently simple task such as walking is considerable. It is therefore not at all surprising that between 50% and 70% of falls in older people occur when walking. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the literature pertaining to gait patterns in older people and their relationship to falls. Specifically, this chapter will address gait characteristics during level walking, stepping over and avoiding obstacles, stair walking, and the ability to respond to trips and slips.