Derbyshire Dales folk get walking!

Established back in 2004, the District Council’s popular Walking for Health scheme now boasts free walks in most parts of the Derbyshire Dales every weekday and around 3,000 participants every year.

To mark Get Walking Week, which runs from 4-11 May, the District Council is launching yet another new regular walk - an entry level easy trek from Baslow on the first and third Thursday of every month at 10am.

Walking for Health schemes from all over the country are taking part in Get Walking Week, Britain’s biggest short walks festival, which aims to get 100,000 new people walking in 2013.

The District Council’s Walking for Health Officer Howard Griffith said: “All our walks are led by qualified walk leaders and are open to anyone wanting to take part in light exercise in pleasant company. The walks are free and the pace is set by those taking part.

“We always welcome new walkers and it really is a great way of meeting new friends with the chance to socialise and enjoy refreshments either during or after the walk.”

Get Walking Week treks in the Derbyshire Dales take place from Wirksworth, Baslow, Lea Bridge, Matlock, Bakewell, Bonsall, Ashbourne, Litton, Rowsley and Bakewell.

“There are few better places in the whole of the UK to explore than the beautiful Derbyshire Dales,” Howard added. “There’s a real buzz about the groups and no-one is too old or too young to take part - we even have a pushchair walk in Bakewell that meets at the Children’s Centre!”

More information about the upcoming health walks in the Derbyshire Dale and a full programme is available online at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/walkingforhealth. Alternatively, call Howard Griffith on 01629 761 225 or email [email protected]