Walking

Whether you're walking to work or to the shops, stepping out at lunchtime or taking the dog for a walk, walking can be simple to fit into your everyday life.

See Also:: Nordic Walking

Get Involved

An Overview of Walking

Walk Together this Autumn!

82% of Leicestershire is classed as rural! This means we are fortunate to have some beautiful countryside and parks right on our doorstep. From Bradgate Park to Bosworth Battlefield, Sence Valley to Welland Park, there are many places to explore on foot. Over time, even a 10 minute brisk walk can have huge health benefits.

Autumn can be a fantastic season to explore our Leicestershire countryside, parks and open spaces by foot. Why? See below!

5 benefits of walking in autumn:

Boosts mental health - The 'winter blues' can be a worry for some, but the blue skies, green spaces and warming rays can help to boost mood and reduce anxiety.
Beautiful scenery - For a lot of people, the unmistakable colours of autumn make it their favourite time of year. The browns, oranges, yellows and greens makes it the perfect time to go for a health-boosting walk.
Weather – The weather in autumn is still warm, but not uncomfortable as it can get in the summer. There is the added advantage of stunning misty mornings and golden sunsets to take notice of.
Sensory – When out for your autumn walk, notice the vast array of leaves, foliage and flowers, smell the cut grass, hear the chirping of the birds, feel the swirling of the leaves around your feet...
Explore new areas - Footpaths are generally well kept and accessible during the autumn months. The vast majority of our Walk Together groups walk all year round and explore different trails. Whether you prefer to walk in a group or self-guided, there's plenty to visit and see in Leicestershire!

Why not give it a go and join one of our Walk Together groups?

Walk Together offers a regular programme of free, sociable, and accessible group walks within Leicestershire and Rutland led by trained volunteer walk leaders. Walk Together is coordinated, developed and delivered via a partnership of Leicestershire Local Authorities and Active Together.

Walk Together guided walks are ideal for people who have done little to no exercise in the past. They vary in length from short to long walks, typically between 45 - 60 minutes, on well maintained, flat surfaces. Every walk encourages individuals to go at their own pace, and there will always be a Walk Leader to ensure no one is left behind.

Find out more about Walk Together here.

Benefits

It can be done anywhere and anytime
Regular walking can allow you to keep fit and meet new friends
Gives you more energy
Meet new people
Reduce stress, helping you to sleep better
Keeps your heart strong
Helps to maintain your weight
Helps to maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints
Reduces back pain
Keeps you motivated

Costs

Walk Together is a free walking programme.

Involvement

Active Together believe walking is for everyone and is most fun when shared with others. There are a number of beginners walking groups across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland offering beginner friendly walks, led by trained and insured Walk Leaders. To find a group near you, please click here

For more information about the benefits of walking and how to get started take a look at the helpful NHS walking guide.

Adaptations and Equipment

Walking is one of the most accessible physical activities out there - all you need to get started are a comfortable pair of shoes! There is no cost to exploring your local parks, areas and open spaces.

Couch to 5K

NHS Couch to 5K will help you gradually work up towards running 5km in just 9 weeks.

Go Orienteering

Your time, your pace, your adventure.

Holidays Together

Leicestershire Holidays Together is a free and exciting Department for Education-funded holiday programme for school-aged children and young people

Let's Get Moving Champions

We share the stories of how local residents of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland use physical activity and exercise to improve their health and wellbeing.

Steps4Health

Receive a tailored walking plan to help you increase your daily steps at a pace that works for you. For anyone 18+ wanting to become more active or living with a long-term health condition such as dia

Walk Together

Walk Together is a physical activity initiative of free group walks within Leicestershire & Rutland.

Let's Get Moving: Healthy Spring!

For inspiration and opportunities to get you moving more throughout Spring!

Live Well Leicester

At Live Well Leicester we are fully committed to supporting out local communities in Leicester to become, happier, healthier and fitter.

Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre

Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre is a voluntary organisation established to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Abbey Park, Leicester

Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the city centre. Perfect for walks and picnics.

Abbey Park Virtual Orienteering

Virtual orienteering on your smart phone, download map from British orienteering which takes you round Abbey Park.

Peepul Enterprise

Peepul Enterprise is home to Peepul Gym and Spa, who house a variety of classes for all.
With Mixed and Women Gyms, An Aqua Spa, Physio Therapy, Hollistics and Personal Trainers to suite your needs.

Abbey Park Pets Corner Orienteering Trails

Beginner Permanent Orienteering Trails for you to follow starting from Abbey Park pets corner.

Leicester Victoria parkrun

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

The Fitness Maison

This Ladies ONLY facility welcomes all ladies. The gym is designed to make you feel as comfortable as possible

as we know attending the gym can be a daunting experience - There is no better way to accomplishing your fitness goals than in a safe haven

Victoria Park

Victoria Park was the city's race course until 1883, the park now has thoughtfully laid out pathways shaded by avenues of trees dividing its 69 acres of open parkland.

Includes an Outdoor Gym.

Leicester Community Links cic

We are a not for profit community company based in Leicester.

Leicester City Football Club Community Trust

Leicester City in the Community (LCitC) is an independent, registered charity. LCitC harnesses the power of football to inspire individuals to achieve their full potential.

Andrew Hill Personal Training

Personalised fitness coaching service specialising in nutrition and weight management.

Fitness First Health Club (Leicester Central)

Sports in You

SportsInU provides instructors and services such as Boxercise, Football, Dance/exercise to music, Basketball, Mix Martial Arts and seated exercise activities to keep people healthy and fit.

Cannons Health Club

Western Park Virtual Orienteering

Virtual orienteering on your smart phone, around Western Park.

Western Park

The site was purchased for development as a park in 1897 and to this day Western Park is the largest park in Leicester, offering 72 hectares to explore.

Spinney Hill Park

Created in 1885, Spinney Hill Park is a popular park with 34 acres of sloping parkland with walks under shady tree avenues, playgrounds and ball courts..

Includes and Outdoor Gym.

Braunstone parkrun

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

Craven Recreational Gym & Trim Trail

Braunstone Park

The 168 acres of Braunstone Park are a reminder of Braunstone’s pastoral heritage with large areas of well-established open parkland, woodlands spinneys and meadows.

Includes Outdoor Gym Equipment.

Active Leicester: Braunstone And Rowley Fields

The Active Leicester: BRF project offers residents of the Braunstone and Rowley Fields ward of Leicester City aged 14+ the opportunity to take part in free sport and physical activity sessions; all delivered locally by supportive 'Activators'.

Aylestone Meadows

Aylestone Meadows forms the southern end of the Leicester riverside that stretches through the heart of the city to Watermead Country Park in the north.

Shakespeare Park

The park contains a small children's playground, tennis courts, a football pitch, changing rooms and a bowling club.

Discovery Schools Academy Trust

Mossdale Meadows

Mossdale Meadows is one of our larger parks. It is quite a varied park, with a good range of sports equipment and pitches, as well as plenty of natural areas.

Leicestershire Amputee Support Group

We here at the Amputation Foundation welcome the opportunity to offer a support group to fellow amputees in the Midlands area.

Beaumont Park

Beaumont Park’s large landscaped open spaces are dotted with small woodlands and wildlife areas, close to Beaumont Leys Shopping centre.

Choose How You Move

Choosehowyoumove.co.uk is a partnership project between Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council, and funded by the Department for Transport.

Watermead Mammoth Orienteering Course

Permanent Orienteering Trails for you to follow around Watermead Country Park.

Live Well Walk More - Town Hall Square

Live Well Leicester offers a wide range of free led health walks across Leicester. Pre booking is required and can by done by calling the Live Well team on 0116 454 4000.

Live Well Walk More - Aylestone Leisure Centre

Live Well Leicester offers a wide range of free led health walks across Leicester. Pre booking is required and can by done by calling the Live Well team on 0116 454 4000.

Live Well Walk More - Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre

Live Well Leicester offers a wide range of free led health walks across Leicester. Pre booking is required and can by done by calling the Live Well team on 0116 454 4000.

United Leicester Charity Walk

Let's Get Active - BRITE Centre

Take part and get involved with various active sessions.

Live Well Walk More - Beaumont Leys Library

Live Well Leicester offers a wide range of free led health walks across Leicester. Pre booking is required and can by done by calling the Live Well team on 0116 454 4000.

Let's Get Active - St Matthews Centre

Take part and get involved with various active sessions.

Let's Get Active - Thurnby Lodge Community Centre

Take part and get involved with various active sessions.

Free Weekly Health Walk

Join us on our weekly free, friendly local health walks

Let's Get Active - Hamilton Library

Take part and get involved with various active sessions.

More Results

United Leicester Charity Walk

United Leicester Charity Walk!

Walk This May: Watermead Wellbeing Walk

A very gentle 1.5mile well-being walk around Watermead Lake to celebrate National Walking Month.

Whitwick and Coalville Active Mums Club Walk

Active Mums Club are launching their summer buggy walking events. Come and enjoy a steady walk and then a cuppa and a chat after.
A great way to get out, enjoy the fresh air and make new connections.

Rutland Walking & Cycling Festival 2024

The Rutland Walking & Cycling Festival is back for 2024!

Active Mums Club Walk

Active Mums Club buggy walking events. Come and enjoy a steady walk and then a cuppa and a chat after. A great way to get out, enjoy the fresh air and make new connections.

Jasmine's Active Mums club walk

Active mums club army walk leader Jasmines leads a walk in Blaby

The Virtual National Forest Trek 2024

The Virtual National Forest Trek 2024 is a physical walking or running challenge, which tracks progress digitally along an interactive map of the 75-mile national forest way. Participants walk as little or as far as they like and as often as they like. They are not following a real route or joining an in person organised mass participation event. The overall aim is to complete 75 miles in their own time and in a place of their choosing – from their own front door.