Walk Fit
Walk Fit
Walk Fit
Welcome to the summer and autumn walk fit programme. The aim of the programme is to improve participant health, well-being and fitness levels through walking.
Walk fit | Introduction
This programme includes weekly short walks, lap walking, longer walks, walks that take in local history and visitor attractions and our higher intensity Nordic walking programme. We offer an inclusive programme and welcome all levels of fitness from beginners to regular walkers. If you are unsure whether a particular walk is appropriate to your level of fitness, please call Kim Braznell on the number below and she will advise accordingly. The walks are free of charge and everyone is welcome. Its a great way to be active, socialise and have fun. Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear - boots are recommended as paths can get very muddy. Dogs are welcome on most walks but must be on a short lead or under close control. To find out more call Kim Braznell, park ranger/physical activity manager on 01384 816992 or 07799 070089.
Healthy towns walks Halesowen - The Leasowes Quarry Bank- Saltwells Himley - Himley Hall Sedgley - Cotwall End Valley Dudley Borough - other walks Dudley Borough Local Access Forum
31 August, Netherton to Bumble Hole Nature Reserve A lovely walk of moderate to high intensity that looks at our industrial history. The route goes along the canal towpaths and through undulating Warrens Hall Nature Reserve. Meet at the activity centre, Netherton Park , Greaves Road, DY2 9EX. 28 September, A linear walk that enjoys parts of the scenic Dudley trail This walk will last up to 4 hours and includes some steep pathways and steps. The group will stop at a public house for lunch and finish at the activity centre at Silver Jubilee Park. Meet at Dudley Leisure Centre, Wellington Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1UH. 26 October, Himley to Baggeridge A picturesque walk of moderate intensity along pathways to historic Baggeridge Country Park. This walk takes up to 2 hours. Meet at Himley Park, car park next to golfers car park, Himley Road, Himley, DY3 4DF. There is a small charge for parking.
3 May, Wollescote Hall and Stevens Park Walk to include a visit to the national plant collection of Ceanothus with an informative narrative on the history of the hall. Due to the activity centre being used as a polling station the meeting point will be on the site of the outdoor gym at Huntingtree Park, Huntingtree Road, Halesowen, B63 4HT. 7 June, Clent and Walton Hill A beautiful walk that takes in the panoramic views of the surrounding counties. Meet at Nimmings car park, Hagley Wood Lane, B62 8QF. Please note there is a small charge for parking. 5 July, Nimmings, Clent A walk up to Nimmings over farm and woodland taking in the views. Meet at activity centre, Huntingtree Park, Huntingtree Road, Halesowen, B63 4HT. 2 August, Hunnington Circular A circular walk that goes through Uffmoor Woods and agricultural land taking in Breach farm and the moated house. Meet at activity centre, Huntingtree Park, Huntingtree Road, Halesowen, B63 4HT.
6 September, Round Hill Wood and Wychbury Ring A circular walk that touches the Monarchs Way and passes over the Elan Aquaduct. Meet at Nimmings car park, Hagley Wood Lane, B62 8QF. 4 October, The Pedmore circular A scenic walk that includes Hagley, Roundhill, Wychbury Hill and Pedmore Hall. Meet at Nimmings car park, Hagley Wood Lane, B62 8QF.
The Dell Stadium, Brierley Hill Fens Pool and Buckpool Trails, Nordic Ramble
An eight-week programme of Nordic walking designed for beginners and walkers who enjoy walking at a moderate pace in a picturesque environment. All weekly walks will finish with refreshments in the Dell stadium hub. Dates Time Meeting point: Intensity: Walk leader: Thursday 10,17, 24 and 31 May and 7, 14, 21 and 28 June Registration at 11am for a prompt 11.15am start. Walk usually lasts up to 1 hour. The Dell Stadium, Bryce Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 4NE Moderate Matt Owen
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2 July Leasowes to Woodgate Valley A very scenic route of about 4 miles, easy to moderate intensity with a small number of stiles. The group will stop at the cafe in Woodgate Valley for refreshments. 6 August Lutley and the North Worcester Path A walk through historical landscapes between the built up areas of Lutley, Wollescote and Hagley taking in the North Worcester path and Hagley Golf Course. The walk is about 5 miles and easy to moderate intensity with some stiles. Meet at the activity centre, Huntingtree Park, Huntingtree Road, Halesowen, B63 4HT. Refreshments are available afterwards.
3 September Leasowes, Coombeswood and Dudley number 2 canal A circular walk taking in The Leasowes, Coombeswood, Gorsty Hill and the Dudley number 2 Canal with views of Hawne Basin. The walk is about 4 miles, easy to moderate intensity with a small number of stiles. 1 October Waseley Country Park to The Leasowes A linear walk from Waseley Country Park to The Leasowes. It takes in Twiland Wood, Dowery Dell and The Illey Pastures, through Lap Meadows and St Marys Abbey and along the route of the Dudley No 2 Canal back to The Leasowes. This is a walk of about 5 miles, easy to moderate intensity with some stiles. Meet at 9.40am on The Leasowes car park for a 9.50am departure by coach to Waseley Country Park. Advance booking is essential and there will be a small charge for the coach.
Wardens walks On the same dates as the extended walks, the wardens will also offer a 1 hour walk around the Leasowes with an informative narration on the historic importance and natural beauty of the site. For more information call 01384 814642.
Weekly Walk
Take a walk through the ancient woodland of Saltwells Nature Reserve with local historian Dennis Rydes as he guides you through varied routes, sharing his extensive local knowledge.
Day Fridays Time Registration at 9.45am for a prompt 10am start Meeting point Car park, off Coppice Lane, Saltwells Lane, Quarry Bank, DY5 1AX Intensity Moderate Duration 1.5 hours Walk leaders Dennis and Carol Rydes, Terry Bardell, Alan Stevens, Shirley Cox and Angela and Trevor Hayward
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7 September, The Birmingham Canal Walk A linear walk of easy to moderate intensity for just under 2 hours along the canal into Birmingham. The group will then catch the train for the return journey home. Meeting at the Railway Station, Galton Bridge, Warley, B66 1HU. 5 October, Blackbrook Valley A scenic walk of moderate intensity on undulating terrain. The walk starts at Saltwells Nature Reserve and goes to Blackbrook Valley via Cinder Bank.
6 July, Fens Pools To Barrow Hill A scenic walk of moderate intensity that wanders through the Fens Pool Nature Reserve and up to Barrow Hill. Refreshments are taken on the way at St Marks Church. Meeting at the Fens Pools Wardens Base, Bryce Rd, Pensnett. DY5 4NB.
3 August, Brockmoor and Fens Pool A circular walk along the canal to Brockmoor, Fens Pools and the Merry Hill Wharf. Refreshments available to buy at Sainsburys at the end of the walk. Meeting at Sainsburys car park, Sandringham Way, Brierley Hill, DY5 3JR.
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Weekly walk
Explore the grounds of Himley Hall and Park and Baggeridge Country Park to discover the history and beauty of a truly English stately home and park. Day Tuesday
Time Register at 9.45am for a 10am start Meeting point Himley Park car park next to golfers car park, Himley Road, Himley, DY3 4DF. There is a small charge for parking. Intensity Moderate Walk leaders Alan Stevens and Vanessa Potter
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22 May, Wombourne to Compton via South Staffs Railway Walk, return via the Staffs & Worcs Canal Meet at Wombourne Station, The Bratch, Bratch Lane, Wombourne, WV5 8DW. This walk is of easy intensity 26 June, Caunsall, Blakeshall and Drakelow A picturesque walk of moderate intensity over undulating terrain. Meeting at Caunsall Bridge, Caunsall Road, 200 yards from its junction with the A449 Wolverhampton Road/ Beechtree Lane. Please note there is a restricted amount of parking at this meeting point. 31 July, Worfield and High Rock Point A gently undulating walk across fields and woodland path including High Rock with views of the River Severn and Bridgnorth. Meeting at Worfield Village Hall, Worfield, Bridgnorth W15 5NS, off the A454 Wolverhampton to Bridgnorth Road.
4 September, Trysull and Seisdon Walk: A picturesque countryside walk. Meeting at Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Halfpenny Green, Staffordshire, DY7 5EP. 2 October, Enville and The Million. Meeting at the Rock House car park, Compton Road, Kinver, DY7 6DL. Easy to moderate intensity.
14 May, Seven Streams Sedgley to Penn Common via a series of alleyways, returning through coppices and cornfields, visiting the Clifton public house. Moderate intensity 11 June, Beacon Hill Woodland trails and open spaces skirting Penn Common and past the present Beacon Tower that was built in1846 for the purposes of astronomy. Includes a visit to the Beacon Hotel. Moderate to hard intensity. 9 July, Coseley Canal Tunnel A walk via Mons Hill and the Coseley canal returning via Beacon Hill, visiting the Chain Yard public house. Hard intensity. 20 August, The Ripple Beds This walk takes in alleyways and parks and climbs over Mons Hill and Wrens Nest to view the ripple beds, Dudleys 420 million year old beach. Return is via fields and woodlands, taking in The Caves public house. Hard intensity.
Sedgley
Dates 19 May, 16 June, 21 July, 18 August, 15 September and 20 October Time 1.45pm for a 2pm start, walk usually lasts up to 1.5 hours Meeting point Brockswood Animal Sanctuary car park, Catholic Lane, Sedgley, DY3 3YE Intensity Moderate with some steep sections Walk leaders Sue Bole and Paul Greenaway
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Sedgley
10 September, The Butterfly Walk A walk through open spaces at Dibdale and Milking Bank returning via the picturesque woodland of Cotwall End Nature Reserve and visiting The Fountain public house. Hard intensity.
8 October, Cotwall End and Baggeridge Alleyways and horsefields, stiles and steps to Cotwall End Nature Reserve and Baggeridge Country Park for panoramic views from the pit mound, visiting the Baggeride Tea Shop before returning via grazing land and alleyways. Includes a peek at exotic animals over the wall of the Brockswood Animal Sanctuary and towards the end, calling in at the Seven Stars. Hard intensity.
Summer Stroll Thursday 30 August, A walk over the pleasant countryside of Penn Common returning over cornfields and coppices, visiting The Old Stags Head. Easy intensity. Same time and meeting points and Monday walks. 17
Stourbridge
Wordsley trail
This is a picturesque walk that takes place on the second and last Wednesday of every month, through woodland trails and along canal towpaths and now includes The Buckpool Nature Reserve. Dates 9 and 30 May, 13 and 27 June, 11 and 25 July, 8 and 29 August, 12 and 26 September and 10 and 31 October Time Registration at 9.45am for a prompt 10am start. Walk usually lasts up to 1.5 hours. Meeting point Wordsley Park main car park, off Lawnswood Road, Wordsley, DY8 5PN Intensity Easy to moderate Walk leaders Jackie Edwards
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Nordic walking
Nordic walking is a fitness technique that uses walking poles in order to give you a whole body workout. It has many benefits including: Burns 45% more calories than ordinary walking Its great for neck, shoulder and back problems Its easy on the knees and joints Suitable for all levels Its a sociable and safe outdoor exercise Please note that walking poles are provided by the instructor. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing and robust/ sturdy training shoes.
The Leasowes
Day and time Mondays 5.30 to 6.30pm Hard Intensity Wednesdays 2 to 3pm Moderate Intensity Meeting point The Leasowes car park, off Mucklow Hill, Halesowen, B62 8QF Walk leaders Kim Braznell and Margaret Hanchett
Nordic Ramble
A twelve week programme of Nordic walking designed for beginners and walkers who enjoy walking at a moderate pace in a picturesque environment. Dates Thursday 10, 17, 24 and 31 May, 7, 14, 21 and 28 June and 5,12,19 and 26 July Time 6pm to 7pm Meeting point The Leasowes car park, off Mucklow Hill, Halesowen, B62 8QF Intensity Easy to moderate Walk leaders Carol Hackett and Sally Orton
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Action Heart
The Action Heart cardiac rehabilitation centre provides a programme of weekly health walks on Monday and Friday mornings. The walks are open to everyone and are held at different venues every week. For more information call the Action Heart Office on 01384 292233.
AW surgery walks
These walks are aimed at patients of Albion House and Withymoor surgeries in Brierley Hill, but everyone is welcome to join them. These walks meet at different venues each week and offer participants the chance to experience some of the best views of the area. Each involves either nature reserves or canal walks and progression walks with provision for new walkers on slightly shorter routes if necessary. Venues include Baggeridge Park, Himley Hall, Barrow Hill and Fens Pool, Saltwells Nature Reserve, Wordsley Woods, Kinver, Bumble Hole, Highgate Common, Himley Station and Bratch Station. For more information call Balraj Johal on 01384 321848 or 07876 563973 or email [email protected]
Walking independently
If you enjoy walking, but cannot attend one of the health walks or prefer doing your own walks, the following initiatives may be of interest to you. If you would like to set up a health walk in your local community, support is available. We are able to provide walk leaders with training and support and can help to promote your walk in the community. If you would like to set up a health walk call Balraj Johal on 01384 321848 or 07876 563973 or email [email protected]. uk. Alternatively, call Kim Braznell on 01384 816992 or email kim. [email protected]
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