Derbyshire Dales Health Walks
A programme of led walks across the Derbyshire Dales, supporting local communities to maintain active lifestyles and improve the health and wellbeing of local people.
It's a great way of meeting new friends with the chance to socialise and enjoy refreshments either during or after the walk. Why not encourage a friend to come with you?
We always welcome new walkers throughout the year!
What is a health walk?
A Health Walk is a walk undertaken on a regular basis as part of a led group. The walks are free and the pace is set by those taking part.
All our walks are led by trained walk leaders and are open to anyone wanting to take part in light exercise amongst pleasant company.
We advise anyone wishing to take part to wear sturdy comfortable shoes and take note of weather conditions, as waterproofs may be required.
All walks start and finish at the same point, with some groups using buses to get out to a start point. There is no charge for attending but some groups stop for coffee during or after walks so please bring some spare change for a cuppa.
Walking together
Lots of us wish we did more exercise. We know it's good for us and we know our health's important, but it can be easy to find excuses for not actually getting out there and doing it.
Walking as part of a small group is a good way to start and keep going. You will make friends, encourage each other and discover new walks in and around your neighbourhood.
Our friendly, welcoming walks help people make new friends and get out and about—it's perfect for people who don't fancy intense exercise. You can start off slowly and build up gradually as you get more confident.
Think about it, your legs were made for walking. It's a wonderful form of natural exercise that can put a smile on your face and even keep you healthier and living longer.
Cow Podcast
Our Health Walks coordinator Helen talked to local beef farmer Henry Holland about the Dos and Don'ts of walking in fields of cows. It is an entertaining and informative podcast. Make yourself a coffee and sit down and have a listen.
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Do you belong to an existing group or organisation who might be interested in setting up a health walk?
We are also looking for new partners to help develop the scheme across the Derbyshire Dales. We can:
- Provide training for volunteer walk leaders enabling leaders to be insured
- Assist with risk assessments for new walks
- Provide help with promotional materials
We are continually developing the programme of led walks across the Derbyshire Dales, supporting local communities to improve the health and well being of local people.
The aim would be to see a network of different level health walks open to people of all abilities from very easy short, flat, entry level walks for beginners through to more moderate walks which are longer and a little more challenging including uphill and downhill walking on rougher terrain.
The first walking group was started by Derbyshire Dales District Council from the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell in the summer of 2004.
There are now over 20 different walks across the Derbyshire Dales the majority of which are weekly.
Health Walks are specifically aimed at getting people who do little or no exercise out and active. Led by trained walk leaders, the walks are tailored to encourage people to undertake a brisk walk of approximately one hour in length with the specific aim of raising the activity levels and stamina of individuals who have not participated in exercise for some time.
We are looking to make the walks as accessible as possible and have a partnership with the Peak District National Park with whom we are offering dementia friendly fully accessible 'walks for all'.
The walks take place on every weekday across the district and a quarterly programme is produced. In most cases an all-important coffee stop is included at some point along the way. New walkers are always welcome and should contact our Walking Coordinator, Helen Milton
