Walking is a popular recreational pursuit and the greenest form of transport available. Regular walking can help improve your health and we work in partnership with many other organisations to promote and encourage it.
Significant benefits can be achieved from just 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days of the week. This can even be broken down into 10 minute chunks of energetic activity throughout the day. Consider where you could introduce walking into your life, maybe a trip to the local shops or why not walk the children to school?
Public rights of way offer the opportunity to travel without using roads and help you enjoy the Essex countryside. They include footpaths, bridleways and byways. Ordnance Survey maps are ideal for general walking purposes and can be purchased from bookshops and stationers.
Why not visit one of the parks managed by Essex County Council
National Organisations
The following list provides details of some local and national walking groups and initiatives.
Long Distance Walkers Association was founded in 1972 and is the governing body for long distance walking, recognised by Sport England.
The Ramblers’ Association is Britain's biggest charity, working to promote walking and improve conditions for all walkers.
Sustrans works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Health Walk Groups
Natural England and Walking for Health organise health walks across the country, offering regular short walks over easy terrain with trained walk leaders. Essex County Council also produces a range of walking maps and leaflets
Local Walking Groups
Other Useful Sites