Hertfordshire Health Walks, part of Hertfordshire County Council and co-ordinated by the Countryside Management Service, are free, led, local, health-focused walks happening right across the county. They help everyone get outdoors, get more active and reap the benefits.
Being moderately physically active, such as walking, for 150 minutes a week has a huge number of health benefits; the risk of nasty heart attacks and strokes falls up to 35%, colon cancer and type 2 diabetes up to 50% and Alzheimer’s disease 60%! Moderate physical activity means feeling a bit warmer, breathing a bit harder but able to have a conversation with the person next to you.
Through Hertfordshire Health Walks, social isolation is reduced plus benefits reach the wider community and economy because neighbours meet neighbours to engage with their town and countryside.
There are currently 55 Hertfordshire Health Walks each week attracting over 40,000 attendances annually (meaning 80,286 legs did walk over 100,000 miles…four times around the earth!). The shortest walks are 20 minutes on flat and even ground with plenty of stopping places; many are wheelchair accessible. Longer walks are up to 90 minutes involving inclines and possible stiles at a faster pace.
Currently, the nearest Hertfordshire Health Walks are in Potters Bar, Hertford and the St Albans area. There is no need to book and you can just turn up.
Recently agreed sponsorship by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group means Hertfordshire Health Walks are launching shortly in the area. There will likely be new Hertfordshire Health Walks in Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and a similar existing scheme inStanborough Park will be adopted.
Help Hertfordshire Health Walks succeed in Welwyn Hatfield; email healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk or call 01992 588433 if you would like to participate, become a volunteer Walk Leader or able to contribute in another way. Visit www.hertfordshirehealthwalks.org or follow @HertsHealthWalk for more information.
