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Hertfordshire County Council

Hertfordshire Health Walks

Do you want to include more walking in your day? If so, join one of our free, friendly and safe Health Walks.

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Register as a new walker online. It's easy, free and will save you time on the day. We also offer Taster walks.

We have a range of walks to suit all abilities and backgrounds.

Every walk on our timetables has a grade. Find out what they mean.

Keeping you safe, what to expect and our code of conduct.

Join a fantastic team of 200 volunteers from all walks of life.

or subscribe for regular updates.

Update your personal information, track your walks and pre-book walks so we know you're coming and can let you know if anything changes.

 

 

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First time?

Save time on the day by registering as a new walker online.


or arrive 10 mins early before your first walk to complete a New Walker Form. Our walk leaders are ready to welcome you and will keep to a pace that is comfortable for you.

 

First Steps walks

First Steps walks are for people who are returning from illness and injury and those who haven’t been physically active in a while. The free walks are on flat, smooth paths and are led by qualified volunteers.

First Steps and grade 1 walks timetable

First steps walks
 Place Day/TimeDateWalk Grade
South Oxhey
Meet in the large car park All Saints Church, Gosforth Lane, WD19 7AX. Please Note: use of the car park is no longer available – but street parking nearby is available
Mondays 10am

Every (Excluding bank holidays) First Steps / Grade 1
Cowley Hill in Borehamwood
St Michael & All Angels Church 142 Brook Rd, WD6 5EQ. Free refreshments available after in the church hall
Mondays 11am

Every (Excluding bank holidays) First Steps
Gadebridge Park in Hemel Hempstead  
The White Bridge by the public car park, Leighton Buzzard Road, HP1 1AE
Mondays 11.15am

Every (Excluding bank holidays) First Steps / Grade 1
Bedwell, Stevenage
Meet outside Bedwell Community Centre, Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, SG1 1NA
Refreshments afterwards in the community café
Tuesdays 10.15am

Every (Excluding Dec 24, 31) Grade 1
Bushey
Meet at King George Café, King George Recreation Ground, King George Avenue
WD23 4NT
Tuesdays 10.30am Every First Steps
Knebworth Sports Pavilion
Knebworth Recreation Ground, SG3 6AH (access by vehicle via Watton Road, on foot via Stevenage Road) Refreshments available afterwards in the Bowls Club.
Alternate Tuesdays 10.30am Sep 3, 17
Oct 1, 15, 29
Nov 12, 26
Dec 10
First Steps / Grade 1
Millstream Pub, Hitchin
Cambridge Road, Hitchin, SG4 0JH
Tuesdays 11am Every First Steps / Grade 1
Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre in St Albans
Meet in front of the basketball court, 12 Old Oak, St Albans, AL1 2EF
Tuesdays 12pm Weekly (Excluding Dec 24, 31) First Steps
Highfield Park in St Albans
YMCA Highfield Park Centre, 59 Russett Drive, AL4 0DB
Tuesdays 1.30pm Weekly (Excluding Dec 24, 31) First Steps
Radlett
Phillimore Community Centre, Phillimore Place, Radlett, WD7 8NN Refreshments afterwards in the community café
Tuesdays 2pm Weekly for 8 weeks Sep 10, 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
First Steps
Fairlands Gentle Warm Up Walk
Meet outside Costellos Café, Fairlands Valley Park, Six Hills Way, Stevenage SG2 0BL
Wednesdays 10am Every (Excluding Dec 25) Grade 1
Hertford and Hartham Common
Meet at the fountain outside Café Nero/The White Hart pub on Salisbury Square, SG14 1BE.
Wednesdays 10.15am Weekly Grade 1
Jackman’s Community Centre in Letchworth Ivel Court, Letchworth SG6 2NL. Meet at the entrance to the community centre near the shops. Refreshments after in the community café Wednesdays 10.30am Every First Steps / Grade 1
Mill End in Rickmansworth
Mill End Community Centre, Church Lane WD3 8HD
Wednesdays 11am Every (Excluding Dec 25) First Steps / Grade 1
Hatfield 
Centre of Market Place (near the Town Inn), Hatfield, AL10 0LJ
Wednesdays 2pm Weekly (Excluding Dec 25) First Steps
Sele Farm in Hertford
Meet on grassed area outside the shops, Fleming Crescent / Tudor Way, Hertford, SG14 2DJ.  Join us for a cuppa afterwards.
Thurdsays 10am Weekly First Steps
Berkhamstead
Meet on grassed area opposite Millennium Garden, Canal Fields Car Park, Broadwater, off Lower Kings Road HP4 2AL
Alternate Thursdays 10am Sep 12, 26
Oct 10, 24
Nov 7, 21
Dec 5, 19
Grade 1
Stevenage Library
Meet outside the library at Southgate, Town Centre, Stevenage SG1 1HD
Refreshments afterwards
Thursdays 2pm Weekly for 6 weeks
Oct 10,17, 24, 31
Nov 7, 14
Grade 1
Friendship House, Hatfield
Wellfield Close, Hatfield AL10 0BU
Fridays 10am Weekly
(Excluding Dec 20, 27)
First Steps
Ware
Meet at Southern Maltings, Kibes Ln, Ware SG12 7BS
(Join us for a free cuppa afterwards in Local Social’s Community Café)
Fridays 10am Weekly  First Steps
Castle Park, Bishop's Stortford
Meet at the entrance to Castle Park by the Link Road car park, CM23 2EL
Fridays 10.15am for First Steps

Fridays 11am for Grade 1
Weekly First Steps / Grade 1
Oakmere, Potters Bar
Oakmere Library High St, Potters Bar, EN6 5BZ.  Free refreshments available after in the library. 
Fridays 11am Weekly First Steps / Grade 1
 
 

 

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Health Walk timetables

All walks are free with no booking required. Just turn up at least 10 mins before the start time shown, as they set off promptly and there will be a pre-walk briefing.

Most walks are offered Monday to Friday. Some of our longer walks are on the weekends.

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Walk grades

All of our timetables are marked with a walk grade. This way you can make sure it suits your abilities. Walks graded 3 and above are aspirational/progression walks.

First steps
20 to 30 minute - our shortest walk - ideal for people returning to activity after injury or illness. Gentle pace, flat/even ground, no stiles, regular stopping places.

Grade 1
30 to 40 minutes - suitable for people who can comfortably walk and talk with few breaks. Steady pace, gentle hills, no stiles (1.5 miles or less).

Grade 2
Up to 45 minutes, faster pace, moderate hills, possible stiles (2 miles or less).

Grade 3
Up to 60 minutes, faster pace, moderate hills, possible stiles (3 miles or less).

Grade 4
Up to 90 minutes, faster pace, possible steep inclines, stiles (5 miles or less).

Grade 4+
Longer than 90 minutes, faster pace, steep inclines, stiles (6 miles or less).

  • Either 150 minutes of moderate activity
  • Or 75 minutes of vigorous activity
  • Or a combination of both intensities
  • Include strengthening exercises on two days.

 

 

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Advice for walkers


Before you join a walk


  • All our walks are inclusive and welcoming to all.  We encourage everyone to be courteous and tolerant.   Please familiarise yourself with our Code of Conduct. And what is expected.
  • Check the 'grade' of the walk to make sure it suits your abilities.
  • If you have any health conditions or injuries, seek medical advice before participating and inform your walk leader.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
  • If you require assistance or care in your day-to-day life then please ask someone to accompany you on the walk.
  • If you're getting there by bus, find timetables on Intalink's website.
  • To ensure the safety of walkers, all walks have been risk assessed and are led by trained leaders, many of whom are qualified in first aid. However, all walkers are asked to acknowledge upon registration that they agree to taking part at their own risk.

On the day


  • Dress for the weather and wear suitable walking shoes.
  • All walks will start and finish at the same place, unless otherwise stated.
  • Many walks finish at a tea or coffee shop, but consider bringing water with you, particularly on hot days.
  • If you leave a walk early, please let the leader know.
  • Smoking and vaping is not permitted on any walk.
  • Walks might be altered or cancelled without prior notice in bad weather or hazardous conditions. Do not attend if the Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning.
  • Dogs are welcome, at the Walk Leader's discretion. Attend the walk on your own in the first instance to check. Walkers taking dogs on our walks must keep them on a short lead at all times and walk to the rear of the group.

 

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Contact the Countryside Management Service

cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk

01992 588433

Countryside Management Service (Postal Point CHN101)
Farnham House
Six Hills Way
Stevenage
SG1 2ST

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