Walking is an excellent form of exercise and can help improve your stamina and confidence as well as your balance and co-ordination. It's a great way of keeping you physically fit as well as being good for the environment and costs you nothing to take part. Walking regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blookd pressure, osteoporosis, bowel and colon cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. It also helps keep you emotionally and mentally balanced and can help tackle mental health problems such as dipression.
St Albans and Harpenden Health Walks Programme
The Health walks programme is specifically designed for the St Albans and Harpenden areas and are supported by local doctors. They are led by qualified walk leaders at all times.
Please see Health Walks in St Albans and Health Walks in Harpenden for the most current timetable of walks. These leaflets are available in different languages and formats (e.g. audio) from the Countryside Management Service on 01727 848168.
The first time you attend on of these health walks you will be asked to complete a simple "Ready to Exercise?" questionnaire. Any information given on this form is strictly confidential but it is necessary to ensure your safety during the walks. Local doctors should be aware of the Healthy Walks scheme so if you are unsure they will be able to advise you of the best walk which will suit you.
To ensure you make the most of you walk, consider the following:
Wear comfortable clothing and suitable shoes for walking along tracks and pathways.
Carry water with you
Depending on the weather take waterproofs or a sun hat
In summer and hot weather wear protective sun cream
Leaders will be at the meeting points, whatever the weather, although if they risk assess walk conditions to be hazardous they may cancel the walk
Alternative Health Walk
St Albans Arts, Sport and Health Team (SAASH) have developed an Urban Park Health Walk. The meeting point for this walk is Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre. The route is a mix of park and town and is an easy walk with no steep hills.
For more information please contact Steve Howard (St Albans Health Development Officer and Exercise Referral Coordinator) by email or phone 01727 827667.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Tuesday 6th September | 10am - 11am | Westminster Lodge |
| Thursday 15th September | 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Westminster Lodge |
| Thursday 22nd September | 10am - 11am | Westminster Lodge |
Orienteering
Orienteering is an activity that requires navagational skills of map reading and using a compass along with physical activity to get around the course. Using the map you will move round a course from point to point until you come to the end.
The following Orienteering sessions are planned and delivered by St Albans Arts, Sport and Health Team (SAASH) and cater for people aged 45+. For more information please contact Steve Howard (St Albans Health Development Officer and Exercise Referral Coordinator) by email or phone 01727 827667. British Orienteering deliver the sessions and provide information and advice on the day. Maps and timing chips are also provided.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| There are currently no sessions planned. For more information please contact the Steve Howard. |
Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking uses poles to increase the benefits of regular walking. Using poles means that the upper body is used as well as the lower body ensuring that is an effective whole body workout. The poles also means that walking can seem easier on the knees and legs by using the upper body more to propel and push your body through.
The following Nordic Walking sessions are planned and delivered by St Albans Arts, Sport and Health Team (SAASH) and cater for people aged 45+. For more information please contact Steve Howard (St Albans Health Development Officer and Exercise Referral Coordinator) by email or phone 01727 827667. Poles are provided for these walks.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| There are currently no sessions planned. For more information please contact the Steve Howard. |
Date of last review: 31 August 2011