If you are looking to get out and about in Essex on foot, why not join a local health walk around you or visit our suggested websites below.

Why walk?

• “Walking is the nearest activity to the perfect exercise” according to Professors Jerry Morris and Adrienne Hardman in the Walking Works report.
• Walking is simple, free, and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.
• A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
• Walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

Walking groups and sports in Essex

• Walking for Health walks in Essex – view their directory of walks in Braintree, Brentwood, Harlow, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon, Rochford, Southend and Uttlesford
• Essex walks website– search for routes of less than 20 miles. They are nearly all circular, so once you’ve completed your walk, you’ll find yourself back at your car or public transport link.
• Essex Ramblers website– Essex Area Rambers  help local people enjoy walking and protect the places we all love to walk. They also support local groups to organise regular walks led by local experts – a great way to get outside, make new friends and discover how walking boosts your health and happiness.
• Trek Essex – aimed at people in their 20s and 30s looking to explore the county and make new friends. They offer a variety of walks, socials, footpath maintenance parties and weekends away.
• Friends of Walking for Wellbeing – an informal group in North Essex. Walks are usually midweek, for half a day, and mainly within the area covered by Braintree District Council. Anyone taking part is responsible for their own safety.
• National Trust website– See suggested walks around Essex whether you’re after a long ramble or a short stroll, they know of some great walks you might like to try.
• Visit Essex walks– Walk their most famous long-distance 81 mile path, The Essex Way from the London Underground Central Line at Epping to the historic salt-washed port of Harwich or try one of their shorter walks.
• parkrun in Essex– People are just as welcome to come to parkrun if they want to walk the whole way round. Indeed, one of the best things about parkrun and junior parkrun events is that you can run, or jog or walk at entirely your own pace.
• Walking sports such as walking hockey, football or netball which are slowed down version of the games, designed for anyone of any age looking to exercise in a relaxed, supportive and friendly environment.
• Nordic walking in Essex– it is a full-body exercise that is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Nordic walking provides fast results and can burn up to 40% more calories when compared to walking without poles.

Also….

Braintree

JAWS (Jake’s Army of Walkers) – Originally started as a fundraising challenge, community walks have become an important part of engagement with supporters. The walks are in memory of Jake Whiteside who passed away in 2017 at the age of 16 following a short battle with cancer. Money raised from fundraising walks goes to CLIC Sargent who supported Jake during his treatment. Most walks are around local footpaths including crossing fields and styles (so have the wellies ready!)

Braintree District Walkabout – These weekly walks last between 30-60 minutes and take part in:
Great Notley – Mondays at 10.30am
Marks Farm – Wednesdays at 10.30am
Witham – Saturdays at 10am

U3A Walks Walking Groups – The Braintree Area University of the Third Age (U3A) provide stimulating activities for those who are retired from full-time employment. They run three different walking groups and they often go for a pub lunch afterwards (optional).

Dementia Friendly Walk and Talk – Run by Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Walk and Talk takes place in Halstead on the first Monday of the month, Braintree on the first Tuesday of every month and Witham on the first Wednesday of every month. For more information email diane.pasfield@essex-fire.gov.uk

Walk & Talk 4 Men – These men-only mental health walks take place across the Braintree district and provide an environment to talk in a safe environment.

Coggeshall Walkers – The Facebook community discuss when they would like a walk and organise around this. It aims to encourage physical exercise, address social isolation and connect communities. These are longer brisk walks across the countryside involving crossing paths, fields and crossing streams.

Finding Your Feet – These easy walks in Coggeshall take place Mondays from 3.15pm for one hour. Contact jobryant@community360.org.uk for more information.

Emmaus Walking Group – Meet at Halstead United Reformed Church every forth Sunday of the month (except August and December). For more information email joshuapnorris@hotmail.com

Halstead Walkers – Meet every Monday and Thursday at 10am for a one hour walk (2-3 miles easy pace) with an optional tea shop stop at the end of the walk. Meet at the bandstand in the Halstead public gardens.

Halstead Walks – Runs the second Sunday of the month from 9.30am for two hours, covering 4-5 miles. Call Astrid and Andy 07951 631996 to join.

Mind Over Mum – Monthly buggy walk in Halstead and talk which takes place on the first Monday of every month 10.30am to 12pm for a few laps of the park and then onto Bumble and Yarn at 11am for refreshments.

Kelvedon and Feering Walking Group – These run Sundays between from 2pm for people who enjoy walking, meeting at the car park behind the Conservative Club, 84 High Street, Kelvedon, CO5 9AA. Walks last approximately 2 hours and dogs are welcome.

Panfield Plodders – Run by a group of volunteers, an informal walking group with the aim to lead different ability walks starting and finishing in Panfield.

Sible Hedingham Walking Group – Created to help the residents of Sible Hedingham & surrounding areas get out & walk together for the benefit of their health.

Havac Walks (British Walking Federation) – 10km walks on footpaths and around the village of Steeple Bumpstead, stops at village shop and pub for refreshments. Email max_eason@hotmail.co.uk  for more information.

White Notley Walkers – Run the forth Tuesday of every month at 10am for 2 hours for walks of 5 miles max. Email john_guy@btinternet.com  or lindsaybntley@aol.com for further information.

Brentwood

New weekly walk aimed at mums, dads and grandparents with a buggy every Friday at 9.15am from Willowbrook school entrance (Rosen Crescent). For more information email swalmsley@gmail.com.

Harlow

Active Harlow social strollers: Programme of led walks which are free. For more information contact Chris Purvis on 01279 446435 or email chris.purvis@harlow.gov.uk.  Dates of walks can be found at www.harlow.gov.uk/events.

Harlow Sculpture Town is a new website from the Harlow Art Trust which provides a digital map for locals and visitors to explore the unique and growing collection of 100 public sculptures in Harlow. There are 3 trails to choose from! Access the map and website here.

Tendring

The Clacton Seafront and Garden walks

For a list of suggested walks and maps please visit the Tendring DC website

Uttlesford

Guide of walks and walking routes in the Uttlesford District

Useful links

• Download the Active10 app
• Check out our other ‘gentle’ activities such as yoga, walking football or cricket, tai chi and chair-based exercises.