Walking for health

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 nine different walks across the Derbyshire Dales and, by the start of 2010, a total of 2,900 participants.

The walks differ from the Ranger Service led walks in that they are shorter and are specifically aimed at getting people who do little or no exercise to do some. 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. 

The walks take place on every weekday across the district and a bi-monthly programme is produced. In most cases an all-important coffee stop is included at some point along the way. New walkers are always welcome to join and should contact either Rob Wilks 01629 761381  rob.wilks@derbyshiredales.gov.uk or Karen Carpenter 01629 761316 karen.carpenter@derbyshiredales.gov.uk  to join the mailing list for the programmes or check the start venues for the week. Alternatively you can download a copy of our latest Walking 4 Health programme in the Related Documents section at the foot of this page.

To find out more about the Walking for Health Initiative click on the link below

Walking the way to health: Welcome to WHI (opens in a new window)

WHI is an initiative of the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency. It benefits from extra funding from the Big Lottery Fund. The initiative aims to improve the health and fitness of more than a million people.

Do you want to become a volunteer walk leader?

Schemes such as this rely on local people who are willing to commit a few hours to help with leading the walking groups.  If you feel willing and able to undertake a one day walk leader training course followed by basic first aid training then please contact Rob or Karen on the contact details below. Without such volunteers the project may not be sustainable and the social and health benefits of gentle exercise will be lost to those people who need it most.