The benefits of walking
Improve your health by joining us on our walks. Health walks are
for everyone, especially those who may be recovering from illness
or need to improve their exercise levels, but most of all they are
fun and sociable. You walk with trained leaders and at your own
pace.
Regular walking can have positive effects on:
Personal and social well
being.- Improved life expectancy.
- More confidence.
- Weight control.
- Better stamina.
- Better energy levels.
- Improved balance.
- Reduced coronary heart disease.
- Reduced type 2 diabetes.
- Reduced high blood pressure.
- Reduced risk of strokes.
- Reduced risk of osteoporosis.
Quick or slow - everyone can walk at their own pace. There
are always at least two trained walk leaders, one at the front and
one at the back. Ideally, to get maximum health benefit, you should
walk at a brisk pace - as if you are slightly late for an
appointment. You should feel a little warmer, breathe a bit deeper
and your heart beat a bit faster. Don’t worry if you feel you
cannot achieve this. We realise that you may not have exercised for
some time and you will need to build up gradually. Any walking is
better than none.
Walks typically last between 35 minutes and one hour and finish
at a café or public house when you are invited to join us for some
light refreshments.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring a drink.
- Friends are welcome.
- Enjoy good company.
- Children are allowed accompanied by a responsible person.
- Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead.
We look forward to meeting you!
If you would like any more information please contact the
Walks Team on 01394 444501 or email
walks@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Walk programmes in your area
Way-marked health walks
Three way-marked health
walks have been created for people who wish to walk
independently. These are marked at half mile intervals with
plaques bearing the 'Stepping Out' symbol. Follow the links
below for maps showing the routes and distances.
Aldeburgh health walk (new window PDF 190KB)
- walk along the seafront from the Fort Green car park to the
Haven car park opposite the 'Scallop' sculpture on the beach,
flat and surfaced all the way.
Felixstowe health walk (new window PDF
216KB) - walk along the promenade and sea front from the Spa
Pavilion to the Sea Road car park, flat and surfaced all the
way.
Woodbridge health walk (new window PDF
263KB) - walk along the riverside from the Tide Mill on a
flat surfaced path with an alternative return route on roughish
tracks.
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.
Volunteer health walk leaders wanted
We are keen to expand the programme to many more areas in
Suffolk but desperately need more volunteers to lead walks or act
as back marker to make sure no one gets lost.
If you like walking, have a little bit of free time, like
meeting people and want to be part of a supportive network then
please come and join us. Free training and insurance is available
to all walk leaders.
To find out more contact the Walks Team on 01394
444501 or email
walks@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Health walks were set up in 2003 as part of the ‘Stepping out in
Suffolk’ programme. NHS trusts, local authorities and voluntary
organisations promote this programme with the aim of improving
health through walking.
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