Walk Aberdeen

‘First Steps’ is an introductory activity session aimed at older adults who haven’t been very active.

The session begins with some exercises designed to exercise the leg muscles and help with strength and balance. Many of the exercises are done from a seated position, but some can be done standing with a chair for support if needed.

This will be followed by a short outdoor walk, at a social pace, around a flat, paved course. Please find more information here.

Walk Aberdeen and its partners deliver a programme of social walks across the city to encourage people to be more active and to socialise whilst walking.

Our walks are friendly and walked at a speed to ensure that no one is left behind and at a pace which encourages talking. Walks usually last for between 30–60 min and usually finish with the opportunity of refreshments. The walks are always free.

Walking is a low impact activity which is accessible to everyone, all you need is your comfortable everyday shoes.

Walk Aberdeen is part of a national network providing dementia friendly walks for those living with dementia, their family and supporters.

Walk leaders who have received additional training to ensure the walks have been suitably assessed and they are aware of the additional support that may be required Walk Aberdeen volunteers are not able to provide one-to-one support. Participants who may require assistance during the walk should bring a supporter with them.

Full body walking, walking with two poles, will run every Tuesday from September 3rd to 1st October at Westburn Outdoor Centre. Full body Walking has many advantages for all ages and conditions.

Poles are used for propulsion, they increase the muscle groups being used, producing a cardiovascular benefit to your walk and increase stride length. Found to be particularly beneficial for people living with Parkinsons

They can also be used for support to worn or painful knees and hips.  Allowing a greater degree of ‘walkability’ especially for those waiting for, or just had, joint replacement surgery

When used for balance they improve posture and increase the ability and confidence to walk further. Using two walking poles enables individuals to walk in a more natural, upright position.

Sport Aberdeen’s ‘Full Body Walking’ programme is designed for people of all ages and abilities who can meet simple requirements:

Able to mobilise without the use of a walking aid (walking stick or walker)

No falls in the previous 3 months

Can walk continuously for 15 min, outdoors. (Walking poles will be provided)

Have adequate vision, hearing and spatial awareness.

No acute shoulder injuries (including frozen shoulder)

No unstable Cardiac conditions

This 5-week course is designed to introduce people to Full Body Walking and its benefits. Over the 5 weeks we will:

Practice the basic technique to give the full advantage of using walking poles.

Have a simple warm up to get our muscles working

We will have a regular walk, getting longer each week

A short ‘strength’ session to help build leg strength and improve balance

Finish off with a warm down session

The course will not be a route march but walked at a social pace, to suit the group, whilst concentrating on the technique of walking with poles to give the maximum benefits available.

Buggy walks are designed for people pushing buggies. Walkers included grandparents, dads and child carers as well as mums. The walks are a great chance to talk with others, share experiences and discuss ‘baby’ issues. Please check with individual groups below for details.

Seaton Park Sling (and buggy) walk

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These walks are suitable for those with a basic or reasonable level of fitness. Usually walking on defined paths or occasionally on rough track/ uneven ground. Walks vary from 3–9 miles depending on the group. Please check with individual groups for details.

Kaimhill Strollers 3 (Mondays)

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Kaimhill Strollers 2 (Thursdays)

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Mastrick Amblers (Mondays and every other Friday)

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Mastrick/Summerhill Ramblers (Every second Wednesday)

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Northfield Strollers (Every second Friday)

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Seafield Walking Group (Every second Wednesday)

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Westhill Walkers (Every second Sunday)

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Viking Hiking is a well-established, weekly, nordic walking group providing fitness walks through Hazlehead Park. Viking Hiking is an outdoor session where you walk with sticks/poles (available to borrow). It improves your fitness and is a very effective dynamic strength exercise for the upper body.

Viking Hiking is part of the Friskis and Svettis Swedish Exercise Organisation.

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There are several hill walking groups across the city which offer a real challenge for anyone looking to take their walking further and higher. Hillwalking groups tend to be out all day and a decent level of fitness would be required for their walks which are often on a broken moor or rough paths.

Aberdeen Ramblers

Aberdeen Ramblers is a friendly group for people who enjoy walking in the countryside. They have walks of various lengths and grades on a fortnightly basis, normally on a Sunday. The led walks range from coastal or glen walks up to the more strenuous climbs of mountains in the Cairngorms. On most outings, there is a shorter less strenuous walk in the same area which may suit those new to rambling or who are recovering from illness or injury. New members are made welcome.

For more details of upcoming walks and to check the equipment required, please get in touch.

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The historical boundary for the City of Aberdeen, as granted by Robert the Bruce in the 14th Century, is marked by a ring of stones from the Dee to the Don. These stones are often mistaken for mile markers or ignored completely, yet they offer an intriguing adventure into the city’s history.

From the Ringing Stone near Brodiach Burn to the final “Omega” March Stone located north of the Beach Esplanade, each individually marked stone plays an important role in setting out the city boundaries.

Sport Aberdeen received £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a series of walks to enable people from Aberdeen to reconnect with their heritage. This series of walks give people a chance to explore Aberdeen’s historic March Stones whilst becoming more active.

• Walk 1 Alpha Stone 1– 7
• Walk 2 Stones 7–12
• Walk 3 Stones 12–15
• Walk 4 Stones 43– 49
• Walk 5 Stones 5– 56
• Walk 6 Stones 56–Omega

If you want to go on your own adventure, the routes of the walks can be found using the websites and apps below:

Map My Walk App

The routes are available on this handy app. Search in routes for ‘March Stones’ near Aberdeen, UK. Alternatively, go to their website www.mapmywalk.com/routes/

i Phone App

Aberdeen University has developed an app that will guide you around 15 easily accessible stones. Search [M]apping Aberdeen in the app store.

If you would like further information on the March Stones or any of the organised walks please get in touch.

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Course Overview

The free online training will enable you to lead safe and effective Health Walks in a community setting as part of a Health Walk Project. The training is certified by Paths for All, Scotland’s national walking charity.

Content

Training will cover:

• the benefits of staying active;
• what is and is not considered a ‘Health Walk’;
• designing a good walking route and ensuring it is safe and
• the responsibilities of a walk leader.

Format

Online training will be delivered by a Paths for All accredited trainer following a programme adapted from their classroom-based training. The course will last around three and a half hours and will include a break to complete a short local walk.

Who is the training suitable for

Volunteers (aged eighteen years and over) from all walks of life! You just need to be interested in becoming part of your local ‘Walking for Health’ project as a volunteer. Ideally participants should have gone on a Health Walk before taking part in this training. Health and social care professionals are asked to consider booking onto a Promoting Walking Workshop instead of Volunteer Walk Leader Training.

Cost and booking

All course materials and resources for running a health walk are included free of charge. To book a place please contact bharrison@sportaberdeen.co.uk 

For more information click here

All of our Health Walks are led and supported by our friendly, trained Health Walk leaders, who want to share their love of being active with others. For more information about becoming a Health Walk leader please contact Brian Harrison on bharrison@sportaberdeen.co.uk or call 01224 047928.

For further information on all volunteering opportunities with Sport Aberdeen visit our volunteering page.

Click on the headings below to download free Social Walking Group resources.

Walking Agreement – a Paths for All document which details the responsibilities of the
organisation/ Walk Leader and what is expected from the walkers.

Walking Agreement – Covid-19 version – a Paths for All document which details the
responsibilities of the organisation/ Walk Leader and what is expected from the walkers.

Register – this document details the common tasks the Walk Leader will complete during the walk. It also confirms the ‘opt-in’ by the walker to participate under the above agreement.

Generic risk assessment (RA) sheet – an overview of all the common risk for walking groups. A ‘route specific’ page (see below) would be attached on top of this for each route.

Template risk assessment form –there will be a sample risk assessment, blank RA form and a generic RA that covers most common hazards when out walking.

Example risk assessment form – completed risk assessment example for guidance. This would be completed and attached to the front of a generic RA sheet.

First aid guidance – an overview of how Sport Aberdeen expect Walk Leaders to respond to a first aid incident. There will also be some first aid hints and tips and a link to some free online training.

Accident report form – Example sheet for guidance.