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Walking is known to be one of the best forms of activity, its free, accessible to all and gives you a chance to socialise and make new friends, and group walks are a perfect place to start. It's always re-assuring when you know you're not alone and that there will be someone on hand with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Here are some walks taking place around Swansea. The walks are categorised as health walks, lasting an hour or so and usually followed with refreshments. For more information, contact John Ashley on John.Ashley@swansea.gov.uk.
Monday
9.45am: Penllergare Valley Woods (Eagle's Nest Men's Shed). Meet at the car park. Leader John Davies.
10.30am: Morriston Health Walks group meet and park every Monday at 10.30 am at Morriston Golf Club. The walks occur at various locations including Morriston Park. The walks vary in length between 2.5 miles to 4.5 miles. Details are posted each week on the WhatsApp group and by text message. To find out more phone Sian Price on 07979 796119 or Terry Frayne on 07968 044554.
11am: Penllergare Woods dog walk. Meet in the car park and have coffee afterwards. Monday walks are off road, covering some challenging terrain and can last in excess of 2 hours. For those who want an easier walk, then Friday is your day, where the walk is shorter and less challenging. Ask for Rob or Keith, who will introduce you to the rest of the group.
11am: Clydach Wellbeing Walking Group. Weekly walks in the Clydach area according to the needs, abilities and preferences of the participants. There is an option to go for a local cuppa afterwards. Leaders Sue Powell and Christina Lacey. If you would like to join the group and get details for future walks contact Sue on 07463 285097.
11am: Loughor Walking Group. Meet at Jireh Church, 34 Castle Street, at 10.50 for a walk in the local area followed by a cuppa and chat in the Church. Well behaved dogs welcome. The group has developed a diverse programme of short walks to the estuary and further afield. See Facebook.
12pm: Blackpill Nordic Walking with Kim. Meet at 12 noon at The Woodman in Blackpill. No experience is needed as Kim will provide the poles and an introduction to Nordic Walking technique. Sessions are £3 for one or £10 for 4. It is essential to book your place by contacting Kim on 07710 075269 or kim@fabcompany.co.uk.
1.30pm: Pennard Wellness Walk. Meet at the Wellness Garden outside Pennard Surgery for a gentle walk for all abilities to improve fitness, aid wellbeing and make new friends. Enjoy a stroll down to Southgate where we will stop for a cuppa and a chat before heading back. These walks are free. Please book a place by phoning or texting 07826 296677.
Occasional Nordic walks in Penllergare Valley Woods on Monday. Leader Kim Davies, 0771 007 5269.
Tuesday
10am: Coed Bach Park, Pontarddulais. Meet at the tennis courts for a walk around the woods and playing fields followed by coffee (and sometimes ukuleles!) at Pontarddulais Rugby Club.
10am: Cwmdonkin Park, Park Drive entrance. Nordic walking with Kim, poles and instruction provided. Booking required via Sport and Health sessions and activities
10am: Action for Elders Social Walk. Meet at The Junction, Mumbles Road, Blackpill, SA3 5AS for a 2 mile gentle stroll to Bistrot Pierre for tea and chat. Booking required - myles.lewis@actionforelders.org.uk or 030 330 30132. Facebook.
10.15am: Gowerton Library Walking Group. The group go for a different walk every walk. Contact Peter Jones, 07840 542048, peterlj0nes@yahoo.com.
10am: Gorseinon Library Walking Group. The group often go by bus (bring bus pass) to various places. For example, Bynea to Gateway Resort on the Llanelli Coastal Path. Mumbles is popular because of the many cafes/bars to have refreshments afterwards. Swansea Marina is another such venue. Walks can be from 10 am to 12.15 0r 13.00. Contact Peter Jones, 07840 542048, peterlj0nes@yahoo.com.
10am: Elba Playing Fields, Gowerton. Leaders Donna Kendall (LAC) and Councillor Susan Jones 01792 872 561
10.30am: Singleton Park. Meet at the Swiss Cottage, refreshments in the Poppy Lounge (De la Beche Park). Leader Trish Jones.
12pm: Civic Centre Nordic Walking with Kim. Meet at 12 noon at the Civic Centre car park. No experience is needed as Kim will provide the poles and an introduction to Nordic Walking technique. Sessions are £3 for one or £10 for 4. It is essential to book your place by contacting Kim on 07710 075269 or kim@fabcompany.co.uk
1pm: Swansea Mind Walk and Talk meeting at the steps of the Brangwyn Hall. Free to everyone who wants to meet new people and enjoy the beautiful Swansea Bay. Being physically active, connecting with nature, and socialising with others have been scientifically shown to improve mental health and reduce loneliness. Walk and talk focuses on improving physical activity and tackles isolation. Come and meet new people in a friendly environment. 01792 642999 admin@swanseamind.org.uk
1pm: Adferiad Recovery Walking Group, 1pm - 3pm. Come along to walk and chat! Providing opportunities in Swansea for carers and the cared to make friends, build on their strengths while learning from others and sharing experiences and knowledge. No level of fitness required. Contact Debbie on 07813 120317 or swansea@adferiad.org.
2pm: Llansamlet Walkers. Meet at Llansamlet Library, or sometimes further afield. A group set up to enjoy walks around Llansamlet and the surrounding areas. Each walk will last approximately 2 hours and not be over strenuous. It's a lovely way to get fit and meet new people. Leader Councillor Ryland Doyle on 07855 034215.
Thursday
10am: Mams and Prams, Forge Fach Community Resource Centre, Clydach. Pram-friendly weekly walking group with a different route every week. Make new friends, increase your fitness and have fun along the way! Organiser Natalie Whitehurst.
10am: Taste of Gower walks are held on the last Friday of the month. They are a little longer than regular Health and Wellbeing walks and provide an ideal, very sociable, progression. For details contact john.ashley@swansea.gov.uk.
10am: Bishopston Community Council. Third Friday of the month, meet at Langland car park behind the Langland Brasserie for a walk to Snaple Point. Join us for a gentle stroll designed to increase physical activity. Suitable if you just want to stretch your legs, if you're not as nimble as you once were, if you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter or for some enjoyable company. We will also stop for a cuppa and chat. www.facebook.com/BishCC or call Clive Scott on 07369 299198.
10.15am: Swansea Marina Social Walk with Ageing Well and Action for Elders. Meet at The Swigg next to the National Waterfront Museum for a walk of up to an hour around the marina, followed by free hot drinks at The Swigg.
11am: Nordic Walking, Swansea Bay. Suitable for beginners or experienced walkers. Meet every Thursday at 11.00.am in the Civic Centre East Car Park, followed by coffee and cake at the Coastline Cafe. Contact Kim Davies to book your place - 0771 007 5269 or kim@fabcompany.co.uk.
11am: Dunvant Park. Meet at the Pavilion for weekly Winter of Wellbeing walks. A gentle walk round the park at your own pace and distance, followed by hot drinks and biscuits. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for going off paths if possible (boots or wellies). www.facebook.com/FriendsofDunvantPark.
12pm: Men's Mental Health Support Group. A chance to make the most of our natural surroundings in a communal men's walk. Going out and about in the company of others can motivate us to go places we may not go when by ourselves. With no pressure, or set agenda, it can be easier to talk and connect with others whilst walking. We meet on the sea wall opposite kiosk at the Secret Café.
1pm: Gorseinon Wellbeing walk. North or south on the Gower Way and the new path from Kingsbridge to Gowerton, and sometimes further afield. Meet at Aldi car park. Leader Glenn Lewis.
Friday
10am: Health Walk from Fforestfach Library to Ravenhill Park. Come and walk with us every Friday at 10am followed by a cuppa and chat back at the library. Meet new people, make new friends, improve mood, increase fitness and reduce stress. Contact Local Area Coordinators Emma on 07966 246024 or Pete 07833 095498.
10.15am: Social Nordic walk on Swansea waterfront with coffee at the marina. Meet at the Central Library car park. Nordic poles are available for beginners.
11am: Dunvant cycle path and other routes. Meet at Dunvant rugby club, the Railway Inn, or sometimes elsewhere. Leader Sarah James (LAC) and others. For details of the week's walk contact Sarah James, sarah.james@swansea.gov.uk or 07929 743466.
11am: Penllergare Woods dog walk. Meet in the car park and have coffee afterwards. Monday walks are off road, covering some challenging terrain and can last in excess of 2 hours. For those who want an easier walk, then Friday is your day, where the walk is shorter and less challenging. Ask for Rob or Keith, who will introduce you to the rest of the group.
Saturday
9.30am: Llansamlet Walkers. Meet fortnightly at the Enterprise Park lake car park on Valley Way to walk for around 90 minutes, aiming to be back by 11 am and have a cuppa in a local cafe. Call walk leader Councillor Ryland Doyle on 07855 034215.
Sunday
10.15am: Social Nordic walk on Swansea waterfront with coffee at the marina. Meet at the Central Library car park. Nordic poles are available for beginners.
Others
Swansea U3A run five regular walks of varying length and difficulty
Actif Woods run short programmes of walks and outdoor activities
Swansea Carers Centre run occasional programmes of outdoor activities for carers only
Woofs and Walks Club at Penllergare, various days. The Club is supported via the Welsh Government and Swansea Council through the Winter of Wellbeing Grant. Club events are for the over 50s.
Swansea Wellbeing Centre run a range of activities, including Women's and Men's Walking Groups. All are drop in, no need to book. Email the centre for information: centre@wellbeingswansea.co.uk.
Oystermouth Cemetery guided tour and wellbeing walk, by appointment. Beverley Rogers, rogersbevj@yahoo.co.uk.
Want to become a health walk leader?
Would you like to get people walking? Enjoy meeting and helping others? Can you spare an hour or more a week? If you have answered yes then you are the ideal person to become a volunteer walk leader.
Nordic Walking is walking through the use of poles. Walkers apply pressure to each pole as they stride and as a result work out their upper body muscles as well as the legs. This activity is suitable for any age or fitness level and can be done all year round. It's a very sociable activity as walkers can easily chat as they go. Combining exercise with nature means that you can take in the great outdoors while it also lifts your mood.
Benefits
burn more calories than ordinary walking
improved balance and stability
increase in overall strength
increased endurance in core muscles
entire body workout - toning upper and lower muscles groups
reduces pressure on knees and joints
Equipment
Nordic walking can be done by anyone and anywhere and the equipment does not need to be expensive. The walker needs to ensure that when purchasing Nordic walking poles that the poles are at the correct height to minimise any stress on hips and knees. Nordic walking poles can be purchased from a range of outlets such as supermarkets, sports shops and outdoor shops.
