Join up
Register to walk
If you would like to walk on any of the Hertfordshire Health Walks you will need to register prior to your first walk. You can fill out our online registration form below or just turn up on the day and fill in a form that the Health Walk Leader will give you.
Why do we ask you to register? Click here for the answer to this and other frequently asked questions.
If you are interested in walks in Broxbourne, Stevenage and Welwyn & Hatfield please just turn up and fill in the paper form given to you on the day. You can find out more about those walks and other walks around the county run by independent voluntary groups here.
Why walk?
There are so many reasons to start walking today.
Walking is an ideal way to get more active and when you walk briskly (brisk = feeling warmer, breathing a little harder, and your heart beating a little faster) you are undertaking 'moderate intensity' exercise. The government and health professionals recommend adults do 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity every week.
Walking is:
- For everyone - suitable for all ages and abilities and you don't need to be 'sporty'.
- Easy to get started - the walks are free, local and short and you don't need to buy expensive equipment to come along just turn up in whatever is comfortable.
- Sociable - walk in our groups, have a coffee afterwards and make new friends.
- Safe - we plan the walks and train the volunteer walk leaders.
- Good for you - it strengthens your heart, muscles and bones as well as helping you de-stress and increase your confidence.
- Green - you can get out of the car and enjoy your local countryside.
The benefits
Walking has a great many benefits for your health and wellbeing.
Walking can:
- Help increase independence and confidence and also combat loneliness.
- Help assist weight loss and improve energy and stamina.
- Burn the same calories as jogging, you just need to walk for longer... so walking briskly for 20 minutes is the same as jogging for 10.
- Help strengthen the heart, bones and muscles which in turn could help prevent a variety of ailments, including osteoporosis, arthritis, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes.
- Help reduce the risk of bowel cancer and diabetes.
- Help reduce the risk of alzheimers disease whilst also combating stress, anxiety and even depression.
Find out what our walkers have to say about why they join the health walks.