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Cairngorms

Fancy a Wee Walk in the Big Park?

26th July 2016

Date: 26th July 2016

Fancy going for a wee walk? Then join us in the Cairngorms National Park – the UK’s largest National Park – from the 5th to 11th September and enjoy a short stroll as we mark the first ever Wee Walks Week.

Wee Walks Week is an informal celebration of short local walks and aims to encourage as many people as possible to get out there and enjoy a walk with friends, colleagues or neighbours, join a Ranger-guided walk or try out one of the Park’s 32 health walks.

Wee walks are a great way to get outdoors – they are fun, free and help you to feel great. A wee walk can be as short as you like, but usually under 4 miles on good paths and gentle slopes. You don’t need special equipment so it’s easy to head out on your own or with others.

Initiated by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) through its Active Cairngorms campaign, the idea behind Wee Walks Week is to help people discover the health benefits of being active daily.

David Clyne, the CNPA’s Recreation & Access Manager explained: “Wee Walks Week isn’t a walking festival with organised, led walks – it’s much more informal than that. It’s about encouraging groups of friends, family members and colleagues to arrange a day and time during that week to head out for a wee walk together. Alternatively, the Park’s rangers are organising some wee walks and there are of course our regular health walks in the Park’s communities, which are looking forward to welcoming some new faces during Wee Walks Week.”

Active Cairngorms is the outdoor access strategy for the Cairngorms National Park. It aims to make it easier and safer for people to move around the Park whatever their age, ability or background; to be more physically active, to learn about, care for and appreciate the Park.

CNPA Board Member Rebecca Badger said: “Just 30 minutes walking a day is enough to make a significant difference to a person’s health. It is medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have a 30 per cent lower risk of early death and a huge reduction in the probability of getting diseases such as heart disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.

“Through Active Cairngorms we would like residents and visitors to enjoy and use the National Park for physical activity on a daily basis and in doing so improve their general health and wellbeing. And with 1.7 million visitors per year and 18,000 residents, the Park can definitely help prompt active lifestyle changes for people with its great path network.”

Interested in taking part in Wee Walks Week? Then look out for our promotional campaign and sign the Wee Walk pledge on our website, https://cairngorms.co.uk/discover-explore/things-to-do/walking-trails/health-walks/

And don’t forget to take photos on your Wee Walk – we would love to see them on social media via @CNPactive / #WeeWalks and we might even have a prize for our favourite!

 

Ends.