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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
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 2025
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 14 May | 10:30am to midday |
| Wednesday 18 June | 6pm to 7:30pm |
| Monday 14 July | 10am to 11:30am |
| Saturday 19 July | 11:15am to 12:45pm |
| Saturday 27 September | 11:15am to 12:45pm |
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 27 May | 11:30am to 1pm |
| Tuesday 30 September | 11:30am to 1pm |
Dates of courses at Charmouth Recreation Field, Charmouth, DT6 6PS:
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 11 June | 1pm to 2:30pm |
| Friday 19 September | 1pm to 2:30pm |
| Thursday 13 November | 9:30am to 11am |
Dates of courses at Bridport Football Club Car Park, Bridport, DT6 5LA:
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Thursday 10 July | 9:30am to 11am |
| Wednesday 22 October | 1pm to 2:30pm |
| Tuesday 9 December | 1pm to 2:30pm |
Dates of courses at Sika Trail car park, Wareham Forest, BH20 7PE:
| Date | Time |
| Sunday 1 June | 10:45am to 12:15pm |
| Sunday 21 September | 10:45am to 12:15pm |
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.
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.
Timetable for Nordic tasters for 2025;
Dates of tasters at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre, BH24 2ET:
| Date | Time |
| Wednesday 11 June | 6pm to 6:45pm |
| Wednesday 10 September | 10am to 10:45am |
Dates of tasters at Potterne Park, Verwood, BH21 6RS:
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 18 September | 10am to 10:45am |
Dates of tasters at Kingston Lacy House, Wimborne, BH21 4EA:
| Date | Time |
| Tuesday 20 May | 10am to 10:45am |
| Tuesday 23 September | 10am to 10:45am |
Dates of taster at Bridport Football Club car park, Bridport, DT6 5LA:
| Date | Time |
| Wednesday 25 June | 12pm to 12:45pm |
| Wednesday 1 October | 12pm to 12:45pm |
Dates of tasters at Fryers Field Recreation Ground, West Moors, BH22 0LJ:
| Date | Time |
| Friday 11 July | 10am to 10:45am |
Poles are provided for the duration of the session and free car parking at all locations. To book a free place, call 01425 480811.
Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
To attend a Nordic taster session please complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.
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.
You must have completed a Get into Nordic Walking course prior to attending the walks. Please note sessions do not go ahead during Dorset school holidays.
Timetable of Back to Health Nordic Walks
| Location | Day | Time |
| Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre | Wednesdays (exclude Dorset School holidays) | 10am to 10:45am |
To book call Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre on 01425 480811.
Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
To attend a Back to Health Nordic Walk please complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.
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
| Location | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moors Valley Country Park | Mondays | 10am to 11am |
| Kingston Lacy House | Tuesdays | 10am to 11am |
| The Angel Inn, Ferndown | Wednesdays | 11am to midday |
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.
| Location | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moors Valley Country Park (meet in the coach car park) | Mondays | 9:45am to 10:45am |
| 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 |
These longer walks take between 2 and 2.5 hours and start in 3 different locations. 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 2025:
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Longham Lakes, Haskins, Ferndown | Thursday 10 July | 10:30am to 12:30pm |
| Wimborne St Giles Village Hall, BH21 5LX | Thursday 18 September | 10:30am to 12:30pm |
| Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, BH21 4EA | Thursday 23 October | 10:30am to 12:30pm |
To book call Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre on 01425 480811.
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.
Timetable of Nordic special events for 2025:
Early riser Nordic Walks at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre. £5.25 per person or use your subscription
| Date | Time |
| Sunday 18 May | 7:30am to 8.30am |
| Sunday 20 July | 7:30am to 8.30am |
Night Nordic Walks at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre. £5.25 per person or use your subscription
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 11 September | 7pm to 8pm |
| Thursday 6 November | 6pm to 7pm |
Winter warmer Nordic Walk at Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre. £5.25 per person or use your subscription
| Date | Time |
| Sunday 7 December | 7:45am to 8:45am |
Sunrise Nordic Walk at Ferndown Forest Golf Club. £6.25 per person.
| Date | Time |
| Sunday 12 October | 6:45am to 8:15am |
Sunset Nordic Walk at Ferndown Forest Golf Club. £6.25 per person.
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 3 April | 7pm to 8.30pm |
Summer evening Nordic Walk at Ferndown Forest Golf Club. £5.25 per person or use your subscription
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 26 June | 7pm to 8pm |
To book call Moors Valley Country Park, Golf and Activity Centre on 01425 480811.
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
Please 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.
You may 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 healthandactivity@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk 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
Health and Activity general enquiries
Email: healthandactivity@dorsetcouncil.gov.ukTel: 01425 480811
Full contact details