Devon Retreats | Nordic Walking Devon

WEEKLY WALKS

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Nordic Forest Fitness - Haldon Forest Park Mondays - 12.45 - 2.00pm

Improve your well-being with Nordic 'Forest Fitness' at beautiful Haldon Forest Park. Held weekly, the class involves 50 minutes of cardiovascular activity, followed by 20 minutes of strength and resistance training - all set within the trees.

To get started, book an induction class. See below.

The session is held by Fiona Swan, British Nordic Walking Instructor, Personal Trainer, and member of CIMSPA and UK Coaching.

Each week, participants walk for 50 mins as a group around various parts of the forest taking in the 2.5k , 4k or 5k Nordic walking trails. At certain hills we will add in some optional shuttle runs to enable you to raise your heart rate and also allows for everyone to work at their own level.

Advice on raising your heart rate safely and effectively will be given along with ongoing tuition around the Nordic walking technique.

The class concludes with strength and resistance training using 1 or 2K hand-weights and resistance bands.

Participants with help from Fiona, a qualified personal trainer, may also like to set their own fitness goals, such as building muscle mass, improving cardiovascular fitness, or making changes to your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Group support and motivation are essential components of the class.

By attending the class, you will;

Undertake 50 mins of Nordic fitness walking - at your own pace with small groups of like-minded individuals.

Improve bone density, and muscle mass with 15 minutes of strength and resistance training using hand weights, bands, and body weight.

Learn how to walk more effectively with or without poles. Ongoing tuition is provided.

Set your own fitness goals and develop your cardiovascular fitness by monitoring your heart rate by using the 'perceived rate exertion' method.

Feel motivated in a supportive group environment

Group warm-up and stretches at the start and finish

Optional refreshments at the Ridge Cafe afterward.

A wide range of light snacks, lunch, and beverages are served.

The current Nordic Forest Fitness programme runs from:

Mon 17th March - 14th April 12.45 - 2 pm (5 weeks ) Cost £40. (If the term has already started pay for the remaining weeks at £8 a session)

PAYG £10, Pole hire £2

If you're new to Nordic walking and need to learn the technique, the next induction classes are;

Monday 7th April 2.30 - 3.30pm - Haldon Forest - Book

Monday 28th April 2.30 - 3.30pm - Haldon Forest - Book

Book online or contact Fiona

Dartmoor and South Hams AONB Walks Programme

Explore Devon and Dartmoor with one of my day walks, where time is taken to enjoy the view, take pictures, have picnic breaks, and enjoy! Led by Fiona Swan, Hill and Moorland Leader – who is outdoor first aid trained and fully insured.

Car sharing is encouraged wherever possible. Feel free you use Nordic or other walking poles. Great for steadying and helping with hills!

SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMME

Friday 4th April - 9.30 am - 2-30pm – Grimspound, The Warren Inn, Headland Warren Farm, Hookney Tor, and Challacombe Down. Moderate Intensity walk - 7.35 miles, 1198ft Elevation and 1204ft decent.

Starting at Bennett's Cross, this varied walk includes a Bronze Age triple stone row on Challacombe Down, the discussed Golden Dagger Tin works, Challacombe Medieval Village, and the remarkable Grimspound. Expect a few ascents and descents as we visit various tors.

Friday 9th May - 10.30 am - 3-30pm – Start Point, Hallsands, Mattiscome Sands and Lannacombe Beach. Moderate to fairly challenging. 6.5 miles 935ft (285M) 3.5 hours of walking. Pathy rocky in places and has some steady climbs. HT 17.13

A stunning walk with incredible views in both directions from Start Point, taking you along this dramatic coast path to some wonderful beaches and coves. At Lannacombe beach we will turn inland through a wooded valley, back towards the abandoned fishing village of Hallsands. The walk concludes with a steady climb along the coastal path.

Friday 13th June - 10.am - 3pm – 8 Tors to the West of Princetown & Windy Post Cross Moderate Intensity walk - 5.33 miles, 872ft Elevation and Decent. Approx 3.5 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.

Starting with a gentle stroll over Barn Hill we quickly arrive at the much-photographed Windy Post Cross & Sortridge Leat. From here, we start our 8 Tors Tour! with a gentle ascent to Feather Tor, followed by Pew Tor at 310M, and Heckwood Tor at 320M. Then follow a well-defined path around the periphery of Vixen Tor until we get to Merivale Quarry. From here ascend to Middle & Great Stapple Tors and Roos Tor at 455 and 454M, respectively. These are some of the highest tors in this part of the moor with incredible shapes and fine views on a clear day toward the South Devon Coast. We then complete our 8 Tors with a visit to Cox Tors and a Trig point at 442. Finally descending to the Pork Hill car park, where an ice cream van usually resides.

Friday 25th July - 10.30 am - 3-30pm – Bolt Head, The Salcombe Estuary and Soar Mill Cove. HT 19.38 Moderate to fairly challenging. 6 miles (9.4K) 920 ft elevation (280M)

Starting in Salcombe North Sands this is a stunning walk including county lanes, farmland and a superb stretch of the SW coastal path. On the last stretch there are fine views of Salcombe Harbour. Please be aware that parts are rocky underfoot and there is a fairly steep climb towards the finish.

Is the walk right for me?

Please note that a moderate to good level of fitness is required for these walks. The walks are graded, and the distance and amount of ascent is given to help you decide if its right for you. What constitutes a challenge can be very subjective, so please contact Fiona to discuss any concerns around your fitness levels.

Cost £15 per walk, £10 a walk if you book 4 in advance.

Group size limited to 10.

To reserve a place, e mail fiona@nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk Please make payment upon booking.

Hope you can join a walk soon.

Contact Fiona

WEEKLY WALKS

NORDIC WALKING DEVON