What are health walks?

Health walks are short walks designed to help improve both physical and mental health. Being set in the local community and relatively short in distance, health walks can be easily fitted into the daily routine.

Why walk?

In the UK, over 70% of us aren't having enough exercise to keep ourselves healthy. Just half an hour of moderate intensity exercise per day, on five days each week, is enough to feel the difference. Walking is an ideal form of exercise to help you achieve this goal; it is cheap and easy and almost anyone can do it. Regular brisk walking has many positive benefits:

• Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and many other conditions

• Improves your mood and boosts energy levels

• Helps with weight control

• Reduces stress

• Provides an opportunity to enjoy the countryside

• Improves the strength and flexibility of bones and muscles

• Health walks in Christchurch

  Christchurch Borough Council, in partnership with the South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust, put together nine health walks in the Christchurch area. A further five walks have been produced by Christchurch Borough Council in conjunction with the Christchurch Strollers.

• Health walks in East Dorset

  Every week, regular walks are held throughout the district. Led by volunteer health walk leaders, these free walks offer a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air and meet new people.

• Health walks in Purbeck

  Health walks are a great way to get some exercise and meet new people. Find local organised health walks that take place weekly in Purbeck to best suit you.

• Health walks in West Dorset

  Short walks around Dorchester and Bridport take place every week. These volunteer led walks usually take around 30 minutes and are on fairly level ground. The walks are at a pace to suit everyone.