Nordic Walking is an enhancement of ordinary walking. When trained in the right technique to use the poles effectively, it increases use of the upper body and enables you to work harder but it feels easier! The poles reduce the pressure on knees and joints, so it's an ideal physical activity if you have neck, shoulder and back problems and good for the heart and lungs.

Nordic Walking activities

Get into Nordic Walking

With the support from a Nordic Walking instructor, these courses will help you master the basics and improve your Nordic Walking technique. You will learn something new and understand how to develop your technique, giving you the all-round benefits, this activity provides. 

Cost

Courses are £15 per person.

Timetable of courses for 2026

Dates of courses at Charmouth Recreation Field, Charmouth, DT6 6PS
Date Time
Monday 11 May 5:30pm to 7pm
Tuesday 16 June 5:30pm to 7pm
Friday 17 July 5:30pm to 7pm
Monday 14 September 1:30pm to 3pm
Tuesday 13 October 1:30pm to 3pm
Wednesday 11 November 1:30pm to 3pm
Friday 11 December 1:30pm to 3pm
Dates of courses at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre
Date Time
Monday 11 May 11:30am to 1pm
Friday 2 October 10am to 11:30am
Saturday 7 November 11:15am to 12:45pm
Dates of courses at Kingston Lacy, Wimborne
Date Time
Tuesday 9 June 11:30am to 1pm
Tuesday 29 September 11:30am to 1pm
Tuesday 10 November 11:30am to 1pm
Dates of courses at Redlands Leisure and Community Park, Weymouth, DT3 5AW
Date Time
Wednesday 17 June 1:30pm to 3pm
Wednesday 16 September 1:30pm to 3pm

Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

To attend a Get into Nordic session, please complete your Physical Activity Readiness questionnaire.

1:1 get into Nordic courses

If you would rather a 1 to 1 session with a qualified Nordic Walking instructor then we can offer these on a bespoke basis. Please email your interest and we will be in touch to arrange a time and day to suit. 1 to 1 courses are charged at £30 per person for an hour session.

Free Nordic Walking tasters

With a qualified instructor, these free tasters offering the chance to experience walking with poles and to see if this would be an activity for you. Please book your place by calling 01425 480811
Free Nordic Tasters at Kingston Lacy
Date Time
Tuesday 2 June 11:30am to 12:15pm
Tuesday 22 September 11:30am to 12:15pm
Tuesday 3 November 11:30am to 12:15pm
Free Nordic Tasters at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre
Date Time
Friday 25 September 10am to 10:45am
Free Nordic Tasters at Redlands Leisure and Community Park, Weymouth
Date Time
Wednesday 10 June 11am to 11:45am
Wednesday 9 September 11am to 11:45am

Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

To attend a Nordic taster session, please complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.

Back to Health Nordic Walking - Moors Valley Country Park

Looking for a gentle, enjoyable way to get more active outdoors? Join us for a Nordic Walking Referral walk, the perfect introduction to this low‑impact, full‑body activity designed to help you move more with confidence. Led by a qualified referral instructor, this friendly 30‑minute walk will guide you through the basics of Nordic walking in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Whether you're taking your first steps into getting active or simply want to try something new, this session is a great way to boost your wellbeing in the beautiful surroundings of the Moors Valley forest.

Location: Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre

Day and time: Wednesdays (excluding Dorset School Holidays) from 10am to 10:45am.

Nordic Walking poles are provided and free parking is included. 

Session costs £4.75.

To book your place, call 01425 480811.

Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire to attend a Referral Nordic Walk please complete your Physical Activity Readiness questionnaire.

Back to health Nordic Walks - Weymouth and Wareham

A weekly Nordic Walk to help improve your wellbeing, combining gentle walking with poles, balance and exercises. The session will incorporate a warm up. and cool down with a 30 minute walk around the forest or lake.

Cost

Back to health Nordic walks are £4.75 per person. A gentle walk with a qualified instructor. Toilets nearby with free car parking and Nordic poles provided. 

Subscription offer available if you attend regularly for 11 sessions for price of 10 at £47.50. 

Timetable of Back to Health Nordic Walks:
Location Day Time
Redlands Leisure and Community Park, Weymouth Wednesdays 10am to 11am
Redlands Leisure and Community Park, Weymouth Wednesdays - for those living with Parkinsons 11:15am to 12:15pm
Red Oak Court, Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4FN Thursdays - for those living with Parkinsons 10:30am to 11:30am
If you would like to attend the Back to Health walks at Redlands or Wareham you must have completed an introduction session before hand at a cost of £4.75. 

Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

To attend a Back to Health Nordic Walk please complete your Physical Activity Readiness questionnaire.

Nordic Wellness Walks 

A gentle Nordic Walk incorporating mobility exercises to help with flexibility, balance and strength whilst using your poles to improve your general fitness. These sessions are suitable for those who are starting at a lower level of fitness, so perfect for beginners. 

Cost

Weekly wellness walks are £5.25 per person.

You must have completed a Get into Nordic Walking course prior to attending the wellness walks.

Timetable of Wellness walks

Dates of Wellness walks
Location Day Time
Moors Valley Country Park Mondays 10am to 11am
Wimborne, Kingston Lacy House Tuesdays 10am to 11am

Nordic workout Walks

These one hour walks are designed to help you improve your fitness levels and get noticeable results. Combining technique, gradients, terrain, and exercises, these sessions will help develop your fitness, endurance and speed.

Cost

Weekly workout walks are £5.25 per person or you can use a subscription. The Cranborne Nordic walk is £6.25 per person.

You must have completed a Get into Nordic Walking course prior to attending the workout walks.

Timetable of the Workout walk
Location Day Time
Moors Valley Country Park (meet in the coach car park) Mondays 10am to 11am
Kingston Lacy House, Wimborne (meet outside the visitor centre) Tuesdays 10am to 11am
Moors Valley Country Park (meet in the coach car park) Fridays 9:45am to 10:45am
Cranborne Garden Centre, Cranborne (meet in the car park) Fridays 10am to 11:30am
Moors Valley Country Park (meet next to ice cream kiosk) Saturdays 10am to 11am

Nordic explorer Walks in East Dorset

These longer walks take between 2 and 2.5 hours. They are more challenging and are between 8 and 11km in distance. They can include more strenuous terrain.

Cost

Nordic explorer walks are £5.25 per person, or you can use your subscription. 

You must have completed a Get into Nordic Walking course prior to attending the explorer walks. 

Timetable of Explorer Walks for 2026
Location Date Time
Oakley Lane, Merley, Wimborne Thursday 9 April 10:30am to 12pm
Garston Wood, Six Penny Handley Thursday 14 May 10:30am to 12pm
Avon Heath Country Park Thursday 11 June 10:30am to 12pm
Ferndown Forest Golf Club Thursday 9 July 10:30am to 12pm
Cranborne Garden Centre Thursday 10 September 10:30am to 12pm
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Thursday 8 October 10:30am to 12pm

To book call Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre on 01425 480811. 

Nordic special Events

Offering something different to our regular walks, these walks will add interesting and fun additions to our programme. These walks are suitable for the competent Nordic walker and you must have completed a Get into Nordic course prior to attending.

You must have completed a Get into Nordic Walking course prior to attending the special events. 

Timetable of Nordic special events for 2026
Location Date Time
Thorncombe Wood Bluebells Friday 24 April

10:30am to 12pm
Ringstead Cafe, Ringstead, Weymouth Monday 29 June 10:30am to 12pm
Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre Wednesday 21 October  5:45pm to 7:15pm

£5.25 per person or use your subscription.

To book, call Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre on 01425 480811. 

Nordic Walking Gift Vouchers

Treat that special someone to a range of Nordic Walking gift vouchers

Gift vouchers are available to purchase for the following:

  • get into Nordic group course £15
  • get into Nordic with a 1 to 1 instructor £30
  • Nordic walking subscription for Kingston Lacy, Ferndown and Moors Valley Country Park £52
  • Nordic walking subscription - Cranborne walks only £63

Call Moors Valley Golf and Activity Centre on 01425 480811 to arrange your gift voucher.

Make a booking

Booking is essential for all sessions listed below. 

You can book online for any of our Nordic Walking activities. 

Start now

You can also book by calling the Health and Activity Team on 01425 480811.

Costs

Costs vary for different activities and are listed below. 

Subscriptions

If you are going on regular walks, make it cheaper by purchasing our Nordic Walking subscription. Buy 11 sessions for the price of 10 for £52. This subscription can be used for any of the listed walks, except the Nordic Specials.

If you attend the Cranborne walk on Fridays then you can purchase a subscription for 11 sessions for £63.

Terms and conditions apply. 

Nordic Walking instructors

Our team are looking for experienced British Nordic Walking instructors to support and set up Nordic Walks across the Dorset Council area. 

To express your interest please email [email protected] with:

  • your full name
  • your qualification
  • a brief description of your experience
  • your availability

Other Nordic Walking opportunities

Nordic Walking Lyme Bay

Join a friendly group of walkers, with a Nordic flavour. Nordic Walking Lyme Bay provide training, poles, and offer walks for different abilities several times a week in the Lyme Bay region. For more information visit Lyme Bay Nordic Walking.

Nordic Dorset

Nordic Dorset offers a range of Nordic Walking sessions whilst revelling in the backdrop of beautiful Dorset based in Weymouth. For more information visit Nordic Dorset

Health and Activity general enquiries

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01425 480811
Full contact details