You may attend any active group once as a visitor, if you contact the group coordinator first, but to continue you have to become a member of Bedford u3a.

Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience. With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic cross country skiing, Nordic Walking becomes a genuinely whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, at low, medium or high intensity. More than 10 million people globally enjoy this outdoor activity all year round.

How will it benefit my body? Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to Nordic skiing. The result is a full body workout, which means that you:

· burn up to 46% more calories compared to walking without poles

· release tension in the neck and shoulders

· improve your posture and gait

· strengthen your back and abdominal muscles

· reduce the impact on the joints

And because Nordic Walking doesn’t feel like hard work you’ll be happy to walk further and for longer.

Nordic Walking is a very accessible activity and something that can be shared by people of different fitness levels. It’s an ideal activity for people who haven’t exercised for a while or who dislike traditional sports or gym activities. An injured person can use the poles to support and guide, working to improve fitness as part of their rehabilitation. Athletes can use Nordic Walking for cross training and incorporate Nordic running. Community groups find it a sociable way to keep fit. If you’d like to shed a few pounds, then Nordic Walking is an enjoyable way to do this. It’s great for fitness enthusiasts who like to try new things. Whatever your age from 8 to 80+, you’ll probably enjoy discovering the benefits of Nordic Walking that improve your quality of life.

The walks are are 1 hr long. The length depends on who is there. We go at the speed of the slowest as I tell all it is inclusive not exclusive.

Members need their own poles and be prepared to do a short training course with Rachel. She can do 1-1 training for £15, usually in Bedford Park. Please contact Liz Trend for her contact details.

We normally meet near a café and have refreshments after the walk. There is one where we walk to the café have refreshments then walk back and a couple we have the refreshment near the end of the walk but there is always refreshments somewhere along the way.

The group is a very friendly bunch and it is as much a social gathering. Everyone is open to changing the route as we go along if a path looks more interesting or someone has done a different route before and enjoyed it as long as the terrain is inductive to Nordic Walking. This has led to some very interesting and enjoyable walks and adventures. Any suggestions of new walks from the members are greatly welcome and all walkers have an input to walk listings.

Our programme: 2026 - Walks start at 10.00am

All walks may change, depending on the weather

DAY	DATE	PLACE	Car park Address
MONDAY	18-May	Old Warden	Village Hall, The Village, Old Warden SG18 9HQ
THURSDAY	21-May	Cople - Dog Wood	Near Church - 1 Willington Rd. MK44 3TH
MONDAY	25-May	Priory Marina	Off Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9DJ
THURSDAY	28-May	Jubilee Park	Moulton Avenue / Mareth Road, Bedford MK42 0DD
MONDAY	01-Jun	Wixams - Seasons Garden Centre	Bedford Road, Wixams MK45 3HU
THURSDAY **	04-Jun	Hawk Drive	Nightingale Avenue, Bedford MK41 7JB
MONDAY	08-Jun	Great Denham - Archers Rest	Queen Eleanor Drive MK40 4SQ
THURSDAY	11-Jun	Clapham Woods	Woodside Estate, Sports Pavilion, Ashmead Rd MK41 7GA
MONDAY	15-Jun	Eaton Socon	Off the Great North Rd near St Mary's Church PE19 8EJ
THURSDAY	18-Jun	Danish Camp	Chapel Lane, Willington MK44 3QG
MONDAY	22-Jun	Bromham Hospital	Chestnut Avenue MK43 8HP
THURSDAY	25-Jun	Ampthill	West carpark Ampthill - B530 Woburn Road MK45 2HX
MONDAY	29-Jun	Woburn	Main carpark Woburn MK17 9PX
THURSDAY	02-Jul	Moggerhanger	Park Road, Moggerhanger, MK44 3RW
MONDAY	06-Jul	Clophill Lakes -Nature Reserve	Shefford Rd, Beadlow SG17 5TR  ( need to arrange car share)
THURSDAY	09-Jul	Silsoe Horticultural club	Holly Walk, MK45 4EB
MONDAY **	13-Jul	Sharnbrook	Village Hall, Lodge road MK44 1JP
THURSDAY	16-Jul	Wootton Lakes	Maypole Farm, Fletcher Road, Kempston, MK42 7FY
MONDAY	20-Jul	Emberton Park	Olney Rugby Club car park, East Street MK46 4DH
THURSDAY	23-Jul	Elstow	Elstow Church, Church End MK42 9XT
MONDAY	27-Jul	Bedford Park	Swimming pool carpark top end near play area Foster hill rd MK41 7TB
THURSDAY	30-Jul	Tesco - Riverfield Drive	Riverfield Drive, Bedford MK41 0SE
MONDAY	03-Aug	Harold	Harold Country Park MK43 7DS
THURSDAY	06-Aug	Cleathill	Cleat Hill Bedford MK40
MONDAY	10-Aug	Felmersham	??
THURSDAY	13-Aug	Maulden Woods -Clophill Deadmans Hill	A6 layby
All walks may change depending on the weather