Nordic Health Walk - West Harling (July '26)

If you can walk, you can Nordic Walk!

Collection links
Location address: Car Park, East Harling
Chosen age group:

Ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Standard donation £8 per sessionAnnual Membership Free
Next date: Saturday 18th Jul,
Nordic Health Walk - West Harling (July '26) block mentored by Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
Nordic Health Walk - West Harling (July '26) block mentored by Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
Nordic Health Walk - West Harling (July '26) block mentored by Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
Nordic Health Walk - West Harling (July '26) block mentored by Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
Nordic Health Walk - West Harling (July '26) block mentored by Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
A summary
We will start at the car park (there is enough room to move out of the car park to do a warm up). The entrance to the (free) car park is on West Harling Road [what 3 words: eased.roving.december]. The postcode is NR16 2SE but this is quite a wide area - there are numbered posts along the road, the entrance to the car park is marked with number 76 - the car park itself is a little lumpy but plenty big enough for all our cars and a warm up. Please note there are no facilities. For information the Ordnance Survey map is Explorer Series 230 Diss & Harleston. From there we leave the car park and walk down Bridgham Lane – (it is used by the Forestry Commission for access but is not a public road) – the terrain is a little up and down and sandy but relatively good. We will walk through forest with very tall fir trees – hopefully it wont be windy! At Stonehouse Farm we turn left and follow the “Norfolk County Council Circular Walks” yellow and black sign on the tree. This footpath has a tendency to be slightly muddier as it is under cover and will require single file walking. There is a barbed wire fence all the way along this path as there are regularly livestock in the fields to the right. The path opens up after the gates and you are walking through a fir woodland. The path continues (loosely following the river Thet) and eventually you will come to Thorpe Woodlands Forest Holidays. This is where the café and toilets are located. Harling Thorpe was once the site of a medieval settlement. The Forest Retreat café is dog friendly. Once finished in the café we will proceed up the access road to the left until we reach the car park area at the top (mainly used by dog walkers) just before it joins the main road. We turn left here and walk along the grassy open area, flanked either side by trees – this is a 25 minute walk back to the car park The distance is 3.82 miles. It took us 1 hour 16 minutes – approx 10k steps
About your mentors
Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
If you can walk, you can Nordic Walk!
Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance the natural walking experience bringing many benefits such as improved posture and gait, stronger back and abdominal muscles and increased calorie consumption. Charlotte Atkinson and Carol Castagnetti are British Nordic Walking Instructors and qualified members of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA). They use the INWA 10 step method of Nordic Walking, an easy to follow progression, to help people to master the technique and run regular Nordic Walking sessions for people who have learned how to Nordic Walk.
Charlotte Atkinson
Connecting People with Nature
Charlotte has over 25 years’ experience of working with children, schools and families as a primary school teacher, headteacher, educational consultant, Forest School Leader and trainer. She is a qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioner with over 10 years' experience of leading Forest School sessions with children aged 2-11 years. Charlotte is a Forest School Association (FSA) endorsed trainer and trainer assessor. In addition to her Forest School expertise Charlotte is a qualified Forest Bathing guide, offers nature-based coaching and wellbeing sessions and is a Nordic Walking instructor; which are testament to her love of the outdoors!
Carol Castagnetti
If you can walk, you can Nordic Walk
Nordic Walking Instructor with British Nordic Walking, living and working in South Norfolk - I love being outdoors and learnt to Nordic Walk to help with weight loss and fitness. There is nothing more freeing that strapping on my poles and heading off out. I'm also passionate about my dogs, kayaking, cycling and riding horses.
Nordic Health Walks
The aim of these monthly Nordic Health Walks is to bring people together, explore a variety of beautiful routes and enjoy the physical and social benefits of Nordic Walking in a friendly and supportive group. In 2026, our monthly programme will include 9 staged walks along the Sandlings Walk, taking us from Heath Road in Ipswich to Southwold over the course of the year. In the remaining three months, we will offer slightly shorter, circular walks on three of our favourite routes, giving variety while still maintaining a regular monthly rhythm. Walks will all be at weekends with a 10am start. All walks are run for charity, with an £8 donation per person per walk. Of this, £5 will be split between two charities chosen by the group: Médecins Sans Frontières (national/international charity) and the East Anglian Children's Hospice (EACH). Some walks are planned and led by Charlotte or Carol, with others planned and led by members of the group. As it is not always possible to walk and fully risk assess every route in advance, participants should be aware that they join a Nordic Health Walk at their own risk. Each walk begins with a warm-up and finishes with a cool-down. Where possible, time is built in for a coffee or lunch before, during or after the walk. Walk lengths will vary depending on the route. The Sandlings Walk stages range from 4.6 to 8.4 miles, while the circular walks will be shorter and more relaxed, suitable for most walkers. Ideally, participants should be familiar with the Nordic Walking technique, and poles may be borrowed if you do not have your own. However, everyone is welcome to join the group, including those who prefer to walk without poles. Please book your place by the night before each walk so that further information, if needed, can be sent out to you.
Learning aims
Aim 1
To practise and improve the Nordic Walking technique.
Aim 3
To broaden social connections.
Aim 2
To get to know new areas and walking routes.
Aim 4
To enjoy spending time outside in nature.
About Nordic Walking
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 is a whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, from walking for health to athletic Nordic running. More than 10 million people globally enjoy this outdoor activity all year round. 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.
Pricing information
Ticket nameStandard donation
Price£8
InformationEach person needs to book one ticket. £5 from each ticket will be donated to charity.
Ticket nameAnnual Membership
Price£0
InformationPlease choose this FREE ticket if you have paid for annual membership of SNNW
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Where we'll be
Car Park, West Harling Road, East Harling, Norfolk, NR16 2SF
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Equipment
Safety
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
No refunds are given except in the case of a cancellation by the Mentor.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.