Healthy Walks

Portsmouth Healthy walks are short walks led by trained volunteers from the local community.

Health walks are perfect for beginners; those who would like to become more active or perhaps lack the confidence and knowledge about where to walk.

Unbelievably, inactivity is as big a cause of heart disease as smoking. Walking for half an hour five times a week is enough to:

Halve the risk of coronary heart disease
Maintain weight loss
Improve coordination, flexibility, stamina and energy
Reduce the chance of developing Type II diabetes
Cut the risk of suffering a stroke by one third
Ease depression and anxiety
Reduce blood pressure

As walking is a gentle form of exercise it is good for all ages and abilities; but do talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about starting exercise. Led walks are a great way to make new friends and everyone is welcome. The walks programme includes walks, which are 1½ - 2½ miles in length safe, with a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. For further details see our Healthy Walks Programme (PDF file - 1.26Mb). We also arrange occasional one-off walks of special interest.
With the appointment of our new physical activity worker, the Healthy Walks programme is hoping to establish within the next 18 months some new, shorter walks aimed at those with sedentary lifestyles and/or mobility problems. We are continually looking to expand the walks programme but as walks are primarily led by volunteers we are limited by the number of volunteers we have! So, if you enjoy walking and meeting people and have a little spare time why not think about being trained as a volunteer walk leader?

If you would like to find out more about the walks or becoming a volunteer walk leader please contact Paula Day on 023 9268 8390 or email enquiries@hids.org.uk