Walking

"Walking is a simple, free way of getting more physically active and is ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels. It is easy to build into your daily routine and doesn't require any special equipment.
 
Like other forms of moderate activity, regular walking is proven to reduce your risk of some chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. It can also improve your mood and reduce your risk of depression.
 
For older people, walking more often is great for increasing general mobility and muscle strength in your lower body which reduces the risk of falls." - NHS Inform
 

Health Walks

Have you not exercised for a while, perhaps years?  Does the thought of walking by yourself worry you or bore you silly?  Do you lack the confidence to join a walking group, in case you can't keep up?
 
If the above applies to you, how about joining an organised Health Walk?  Yes, all walking is healthy but the Scottish charity Paths for All defines health walks like this: 
  • They must be short.  As little as 10 minutes and no longer than 1 hour.  They must be low intensity and led at a pace everyone in the group can manage.

  • They must be safe.  The routes are risk assessed and each walk is led by a trained volunteer Walk Leader.

  • The social aspect of the walk is valued as much as the exercise.  Walks are friendly and usually followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat at a local cafe or community facility. 

  • They are local. Walks are usually based in and around your town and run on a regular basis. 

  • They are free. There is no charge to take part in the walks themselves. Refreshments afterwards can cost up to a couple of pounds, depending on the venue.

Health walk logo.jpg
 
 
Health Walk Case Study
Read this story (pdf) from an Aberdeenshire walker on how attending a local health walk has had a positive impact on her health. 
 

Current Health Walks in Grampian (2018)

 
Aberdeen City
  • Alex Collie Sports Centre, Bridge of Don
  • Altens
  • Cove
  • Dyce
  • Ferryhill
  • Jesmond area, Bridge of Don
  • Kingswells
  • Peterculter
  • Pittodrie
  • Sheddocksley
  • Torry
  • Westburn Park
  • Woodside
Health Walks in Aberdeen City are organised by the Walk Aberdeen project (part of Sport Aberdeen) and Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust (AFCCT).  For contact details please go to the Paths for All website.
 
 
Aberdeenshire
  • Aboyne
  • Banff
  • Ballater
  • Balmedie
  • Banchory
  • Braemar
  • Crimond
  • Edzell
  • Fraserburgh
  • Gardenstown
  • Huntly
  • Insch
  • Kemnay
  • Kintore
  • Laurencekirk
  • Logie Coldstone
  • Lumphanan
  • Macduff
  • New Pitsligo
  • Oldmeldrum
  • Peterhead
  • Pitmedden
  • Portlethen
  • Rhynie
  • St Cyrus
  • Stonehaven
  • Strathdon
  • Westhill
Health Walks in Aberdeenshire are organised by a variety of voluntary groups and organisations.  For contact details for individual walks please go to the Paths for All website.
 
To find out more about Health Walks in Aberdeenshire, please contact: Claire Turnbull, Health Walk Coordinator (Aberdeenshire) Email: healthwalks@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Tel: 01467 534495.
 
For information on health walks happening in and around the Cairngorms National Park, please contact: Jackie Farquhar Cairngorms National Park Health Walk Co-ordinator JackieFarquhar@cairngorms.co.uk Tel: 01479870520.
 
Moray
  • Elgin
  • Forres
  • Glenlivet
  • Lossiemouth
  • Rothes
  • Tomintoul
Health Walks in Moray are organised by the Walk Moray project.  For contact details please go to the Paths for All website.

There are currently a number of new health walks being planned in this region.  For more information on these or for general information on Health Walks in Moray please contact Claire Buchanan on 07779 999209, e-mail claire.buchanan2@nhs.scot. 

 
Other areas:
 
For details of Health Walks across Scotland, refer to this online map.

 

Paths for All

Paths for All is a Scottish charity which champions everyday walking as the way to a happier, healthier Scotland.  They want to get Scotland walking: everyone, everyday, everywhere.
 
Paths for All manages the national Walking for Health programme with funding from the Scottish Government.  They support a network of community projects across Scotland that organise over 500 free Health Walks every week. 

General contact:

James Norman
Public Health Practitioner - NHS Grampian
Public Health Department
Summerfield House
2 Eday Road
Aberdeen
AB15 6RE
E-mail: james.norman@nhs.scot
Tel: 01224 558634
Published: 16/10/2020 11:42