Health Walks
These Heath Walks take place every Monday afternoon from 1.30 to 3.00 p.m. The walks are designed for people who want to gradually increase their fitness and stamina. The gradients of the paths are flat or gently sloping, and the distance covered is about 3 miles. The walks start off at a gradual pace, become a little brisker for the main section, then are slowed down towards the end.
All new walkers are welcome. All you have to do is to turn up at the start point and register. There is a Health Walk Leader who will outline the walk and any known hazards along the way, and a Back-up Leader who carries a first aid kit. There are frequent stops to observe a variety of wildlife and landscape along the walks and, hopefully, observe red kites.
The walks take place in the Derwent Valley. There is a regular group of walkers which is usually about sixteen people.
The locations change each month and all details are given on this web-page. Hopefully, we will see you out walking.
Images courtesy of Austin Dunphy
Our Health Walk on Monday 23rd January, around Swalwell
Images courtesy of Harold Dobson
Friends of Red Kites - second Coastal Walk enjoyed by our Health Walkers October 2011
This 5 mile walk started at Souter Point at Whitburn and finished at Tynemouth and went via the Tyne ferry from South Shields to North Shields.
Marsden Rock and beach.
The steep descent to the Marsden Grotto for an early refreshment stop.
A close up view of Marsden Rock from the Grotto
And Marsden Gotto itself
Refreshed, the group head along the beach to continue the walk..
The shoreline of Marsden Bay
The Coastal Path along the Lees
A brief stop to regroup and take in the views.
Approaching Trow quarry
In the quarry bottom
A choppy River Tyne with the DFDS ferry preparing to leave for Amsterdam.
A slightly smaller ferry to take us to North Shields.
The group relaxing and chatting on the ferry
Shades of the industrial past.
The Low Light and High Light at North Shields once used for Navigation into the Tyne
The Low Light and North Shields Fish Quay.
Looking back across to South Shields - Little Haven and the Groyne
Nearly there. Tynemouth Priory
Photos courtesy of Glenn Dawson
Occasionally, the Health Walks follow parts of the Red Kite Trail. Click on the image below.
RSPB Admin Northern Kites Archive
On the walk to Tynemouth Priory we enjoyed perfect weather, lots of birds and a leisurely walk in good company. When we returned to the coach we had completed a 5 mile walk.
A surprise might be around the corner................
Courtesy of Paul Ratcliffe
The Derwent Valley from Winlaton
Information panels are available at accessible points throughout the Derwent Walk.
And you never know what you'll see as you walk : a heron on Clockburn Lake,
or three Red Kites enjoying the thermals in the sky above your head!
or, as here, a view of WT16, Flag, perched high opposite Kite Hill.
