Residents Encouraged to Join Mass Health Walk

May is National Walking Month and hundreds of residents are expected to join a Mass Health Walk across 15 different locations around Hertfordshire.

Last year the team had 250 participants and are hoping for 300 walkers this year. Residents can join on the Mass Health Walk no matter what their walking experience is. A timetable is hosted online where residents can find a Health Walk close to them. There are a number of walks in and around Dacorum, including Potten End, Berkhamsted and Tring.

Every walk is led by friendly volunteers, who in total provided 13,000 hours to Hertfordshire Health Walks in 2023. These volunteers are trained by our staff to Ramblers UK standard and are on hand to support you, whatever your walking experience. Residents don’t need to be an expert hiker to feel the benefits of walking in the countryside.

One outstanding example of Hertfordshire Health Walks being for everyone is Hemel Hempstead resident Geoffrey, who is 93 years old and since registering in 2015 has completed 560 walks – and has no intention of stopping any time soon! He has developed a strong friendship group over the years that go on holiday together and support each other. Geoff said after finishing a walk he feels: ‘on top of the world, like a cloud relieved of any stress…I feel totally different. Any worries I had are all gone. Walking gets rids of any stress I had. I’ve talked to people the entire way around and we’ve put the world to rights.’

Hertfordshire Health Walks are a great opportunity to meet new people whilst keeping active. From 20-30-minute flat walks with regular stops to moderate hills with faster pace, all the way through to 5-6-mile progression walks, whatever your fitness levels, there’s a Hertfordshire Health Walk for you.

To find your nearest Hertfordshire Health Walk, visit the Health Walks webpage.

If you’re interested in sharing your passion for walking, you can join the team of 200+ volunteers. For more information and to apply to become a Health Walk volunteer, visit the website, or contact the Health Walk Team by calling 01992 555888 or email healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

If you are looking to get active, but walking isn’t possible for you, visit the Keep Active pages to find out about other free ways to get moving in Hertfordshire.