Walking

Coronavirus update

How to stay active while you're at home

Walking is simple, free, and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.

Whether you’d like to join a led walk over a short or long distance or just want to download a route to walk by yourself, you’ll find it below with Information about our  Walking for Health, Stepping Forward, Out and About and Buggy Walk programmes as well as our promoted walking routes.

Promoted walking routes

Extended list of walking routes in South Gloucestershire

The below routes vary from short circular walks designed to be easily accessible, to long-distance walking routes. We also have an extensive network of bridleways and have developed a range of circular rides. 

Click on the menus below for a full list of walks in each area (all of the below are downloadable PDF leaflets except Frampton Cotterell which links to an external website):

Heritage trails

Within South Gloucestershire lie many hidden treasures that have helped shape the landscape as we know it today. Natural, industrial and cultural forces have played a part in making up the local environment that we live and work in.

A list of or heritage trails and links to the leaflets are below:

• Hatter’s trails – Frampton and Watley’s End
• Frampton and Coalpit Heath
• Pucklechurch village
• Industrial places
• nonconformist trail
• Tudor places trail
• Avon Valley Woodlands heritage walks
• Bradley Stoke heritage walks
• Emersons Green heritage walks
• Warmley Forest Park heritage walks
• Willsbridge Valley heritage walk

Easy access trails

• Easy access trails 10 circular walks
• Easy access trails 10 more circular walks

Park Trails

Park trails are ideal to build up your walking or running distance on a measured and marked course.  Originally set up in partnership with England Athletics and called Run England 3-2-1 routes, these vary in distance from 500 metres (posts every 100m) to multi-lap 5,000m trails (posts every 1,000m). Please click on the links below to view or download a route.

• Brinsham Fields, Yate BS37 7YF: 500 metres
• The Common, Yate BS37 4BU: 800 metres
• King George V, Downend BS16 6AU: 700 metres
• Lees Hill, Kingswood BS15 4TW: 500 metres
• Little Stoke Park BS16 6HR: approx. 1,400m lap, marked to 5,000m
• Page Park, Staple Hill BS16 5PJ: 700 metres
• Pomphrey Hill, Mangotsfield BS16 9NF: approx. 1,500m lap, marked to 5,000m
• Scott Park, Patchway BS34 5JR: 1,000 metres
• The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6BQ: approx. 1,600m lap, marked to 5,000m
• Three Brooks, Bradley Stoke BS32 9BS: 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 metres (out and back)
• Wickwar Playing Fields GL12 8JD: 1,000 metres

A Forgotten Landscape

This website will help you discover the stunning landscape adjacent to the River Severn with a series of 10 regular walks and 5 easy access walks. Either use the map (zoom in for more detail) or click on the individual leaflet icon below the map for more information about the route or to download a PDF version of the leaflet.

Walking for Health programme of walks

Coronavirus update

We have a range of free, led walks between 30 and 90 minutes, designed to suit different walking abilities. These include nine regular walks and are all detailed in our Walking for Health walks programme.

These walks are designed to accommodate any walker’s needs, allowing people to walk the distance they feel comfortable with. All walks are free and led by trained volunteers. Where possible the start point for our walks include toilets and parking.

Walkers can bring their dogs to a walk as long as they are kept on a lead. However in some instances we may ask for dogs not to be brought along, for example if the walk route goes through a field of cattle.

Walking in a group led by one of our wonderful trained leaders could help you take the first steps to a more active lifestyle and is a great way to meet new people.Our Walking for Heath programme is officially accredited.

Accessibility

People of all ages and walking abilities are supported, including those who use wheelchairs or have other access requirements. To find out more or ask any questions, please contact us:

• Telephone: 01454 865337
• Email: oneyou@southglos.gov.uk

Stepping Forward

Coronavirus update

Stepping Forward walks are perfect for people who prefer something slightly longer and more strenuous than our Walking for Health walks.These walks:

• are between 3 – 4 miles
• take around 1 ½ – 2 hours
• usually go for refreshments afterwards

Further details, including dates, times, locations are listed in our Stepping Forward programme.

Out and About

The Out and About walking folders include maps of local walks of one to three miles – see the list below

• Out and about – Cadbury Heath
• Out and about – Kingswood
• Out and about – Patchway
• Out and about – Yate
• Out and about – Filton
• Out and about – Staple Hill

Buggy walks

Our buggy walks are a free sociable activity for parents, carers and grandparents of very young children and are a great way to make new friends, explore your local area and get fit. Walks are between 45 minutes to an hour and the groups usually meet afterwards for refreshments.

Our walks take place in Lyde Green on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month.  See below for details:

• Lyde Green Buggy walk – Thursdays 10am, Emersons Green library, Emersons Way, BS16 7AP

Walking after giving birth

Information about keeping fit and healthy and exercising after giving birth can be found on the NHS website. If in any doubt, consult with your GP, midwife and/or health visitor.

Safety first

Our buggy walks have been tested and risk assessed. They are suitable for pushchairs and are mainly on flat ground but can contain some hills and gravel paths and can be muddy in places if it’s been raining. Please come prepared with suitable footwear and a rain cover for your buggy if it rains and a bottle of water and sun protection on hot days.

Other organised walks

There are other organisations that could be organising a walk in your area – try:

• The Ramblers Association
• Outdoors West
• Cotswold Guided Walks
• Your local Parish Council

Walking for health volunteers

Being a volunteer

Our programme of free, led walks would not exist without our team of volunteers. As a volunteer you will:

• help and support people in your community to get active and healthy
• be involved in risk assessments and route planning
• attend a training day covering the basics of walk leading as well as health and safety considerations
• be encouraged to have First Aid training (with fees covered by us)
• receive ongoing support from the Walking For Heath team

We also hold an annual ‘get together’ day where volunteers meet for refresher training, go for a walk and have lunch. Please email healthylifestyles@southglos.gov.uk if you are interested in being a walking for health volunteer.

Training course for new volunteer walk leaders

The date of our next training day for new volunteers is to be confirmed.  Please contact us to register your interest or find out more.

Other volunteer opportunities

For information about other volunteering opportunities in South Gloucestershire, visit our volunteer page.

Useful resources and information

• “We Are Undefeatable” – this new campaign aims to help people with long-term health conditions to get more active. Visit the campaign website for more information.
• Physical activity and mental health -Sport and physical activity has a powerful and positive effect on mental health. Visit the Sport England website to find out more.
• Benefits of exercise – Exercise is free, easy to take, has an immediate effect. It can also reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50%.
• See our top 10 tips for motivation and change.
• One You national website – Further information about One You as well as a range of other One You apps – available from the Apple store or Google Play
• Walking for health national website