Walking in Bracknell Forest

Aside from keeping us physically healthy, walking makes us feel good and can be a great way to meet new people.  Being active is particularly important as we get older.  It not only reduces our risk of serious illness but also enables us to stay fit enough to keep doing the things we enjoy. You don’t have to do extreme exercise to gain benefits, as walking is proven to strengthen muscles, improve your mood and reduce cognitive decline.

Local groups

Walking is a great way to improve fitness levels at a gentle pace. There are a number of free health walks in Bracknell Forest which can be found on our Community Map but a selection are listed here:

• Walks for wellbeing provide a gentle walk starting from Crowthorne or Birch Hill Library. Each walk is just over a mile and a half and on return to the library you can enjoy a nice hot drink. For more information email Mark at mark.lyford@sustrans.org.uk .
• The Sandhurst Health Walks group meets every morning from Monday to Friday at 9.30am at Sandhurst Community Centre. For more information call Colleen Pidgeon (Volunteer Scheme Coordinator) on 01344 774754 or email colleen.pidgeon@lineone.net
• 3 Mile Walk from South Hill Park with shorter option. Visit to the cafe after the walk. Every Saturday, meeting at 10.25am at South Hill Park car park. For more information call Brian on 07443 499207
• Sport in Mind Thursday Wellbeing Walk. Fun, gentle drop-in walk to promote mental wellbeing. Come and get a breath of fresh air and explore the local area, all you need to do is wear weather appropriate clothes and shoes and a bottle of water. Meeting outside main reception, South Hill Park, every Thursday 2 – 3pm. Feel free to join them for a cup of tea afterward in the cafe too.
• If you would like to meet similar minded people and get more involved in walking with a club, more information can be found at The Ramblers Association and Nordic Walking. 

Local places to walk

Bracknell Forest offers a wide range of walks for all abilities.

Information about countryside walks is available online and includes:

• moderate countryside circular routes of between 2.5 and 10.8kms
• circular walks leaflets that advertise routes suitable for dog walking or admiring nature
• long distance trails such as the Bracknell Forest Ramblers Route and Blackwater Valley Path.

A number of walking clubs, groups and routes can be found on our Community Map by clicking on the Get Active icon.

If you know a route that we haven’t covered – contact us at public.health@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, we’d love to tell others about it!