Walking is a great way for adults to become more active or get back into regular exercise, and it’s free! Exploring the great outdoors makes you feel better physically and mentally and there are no shortage of places to explore in our borough, with a few hidden gems to get to know!

We may appear to be a largely urban area but we are lucky to have over 400 hectares of public open space in our borough, including parks, greenways, public playing fields, small areas of open space in local areas, separate woodlands within the built areas, urban fringe woodlands and countryside sites with public access. Four of our parks have been awarded Green Flag status which recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. 

The Chesterfield Canal is an oasis of calm, a beautiful waterway and its surrounding countryside is within minutes of the hustle and bustle of the busy town centre of Chesterfield. The canal towpath is multi-user so whether you are walking, cycling, have a pram or a wheelchair you can enjoy the scenery and wildlife.  The Transpennine and Cuckoo Trails cross our borough and link with our neighbouring districts if you would like to explore further afield.

If you would like company as you explore, walking groups are a great way to meet new people, make new friends, and you’ll have the reassurance of a friendly group with a trained walk leader. As well as improving your health, walking with a group can enhance your social life.  Chesterfield Borough Council hosts three walking groups and we also support several community-led groups based at Community Centres, health support groups or even the local football club. There are also opportunities for volunteer walk leaders or walk assistants to help with existing walks or maybe you’d like to start a new walking group yourself? We offer support to anyone who wants to set up a new walking group in the Chesterfield area. Free volunteer walk leader training is available and gives volunteers the knowledge, skills and confidence to help people to achieve better health and wellbeing. Contact us for advice on getting a walking group set up, more information about walking in Chesterfield or how to become more active.

If group walking isn’t your thing, why not try the Art Trail, seeking out over 80 art installations at sites all across our borough?

Or why not make the time to just enjoy a stroll outdoors with no particular destination in mind and enjoy all the sensations you experience – known as mindful walking, this is especially beneficial for our mental wellbeing. Slow down your pace, focusing on your breath, your steps, your surroundings, use all of your senses – can you feel a breeze? What do you smell? What can you hear – cars? People? Birds? What colours can you see?