Walking | Active Calderdale

Whether you are looking for a walking route to explore your local area or want to help someone you know join a local walking group, we're here to help you get started.

We have lots of tips and resources to help you make walking part of your everyday life and ways in which you can contribute to creating places that are more attractive, safe and supportive of walking.

Why walk?

Why Walk?

Strolling or rolling is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to move more, feel happier, healthier and help you feel part of your community. It’s ideal for all ages and abilities.

A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Not everyone can walk or roll briskly, so start slow and build speed and distance at your own pace. Aim for a pace that increases your breathing.

What do I need?

Comfortable shoes or trainers.
Take some water, a healthy snack, a spare top, and sunscreen in a comfy bag or backpack for longer walks.
A waterproof jacket will always be helpful in Calderdale!
It’s always good to take a mobile phone.
If walking alone, it's strongly advised to tell a friend or family where you plan to walk.

What if I'm not very active?

If you’re not ready to start getting out for a stroll just yet, try moving gently and building strength with our Active @ Home booklet.

For all beginners, we recommend breaking walks up into small, manageable sections, for example, you could try 3 x 10 minute walks throughout the day. Always go at a pace and time that suits you - everybody is different.

For older people walking can increase mobility, muscle strength and reduce risk of falls.

For people with long term health conditions, walking can help maintain your independence and manage or even improve your symptoms.

Even a small increase in rolling or strolling can bring significant benefits over time.

A good habit

It's easier to stroll more if you can build it in to your daily routine. Could you:

walk to the shops?
use the stairs instead of the lift?
leave the car behind for short journeys?
walk the kids to school?
go for a stroll with family or friends after dinner?
walk part of your journey to work or town?

Make it fun

Listening to music or podcasts can make walking more enjoyable.
Call a friend for a chat as you walk.
Create a challenge or join an existing one, like our very our Step Out Challenge.

Keep it local

You don’t have to go far to find a rewarding walk, try exploring different streets, your local park or woods, the canal tow path or a new route to town.

Make it social

If you’d prefer to walk with others invite friends, work colleagues or family to join you. Alternatively, there are many friendly walking groups across Calderdale ready to welcome you.

Take a look at the options below to find some fun and easy tips to get you started and to be pointed in the direction of some walking groups in an area near you.

At Active Calderdale we recognise the extraordinary role walking can play in increasing physical activity levels across the population. That's why we’re asking you to think about the work that you do, and what you can do to help make it easier for people to choose to walk. You can help Calderdale to become a happier and healthier place to live and work.

Everybody has the influence to support others to move more.

Find out how you can #PlayYourPart, by joining the conversation on social media.