Walking is said to be the nearest thing to perfect exercise. You don’t need to learn anything, you can do it when it suits you and it doesn’t require special clothes.
Take your dog out, visit a local park or reserve, meander along the beach, or explore the hills – there are numerous ways to walk while having a good time.
Walk with a group, catch up with friends, chat with neighbours, swap gardening tips (and cuttings), and get to know your area.
Getting started
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning to walk if you suffer from any medical conditions or have health worries.
Start slowly as you would with any exercise programme and increase the level and distance once you feel comfortable.
- Remember to walk slowly for five minutes to warm up.
- Stretch to prevent injury and increase flexibility.
- Wear light, comfortable clothing in the summer and warm, waterproof clothing in the winter.
- Choose well-fitting, cushion-soled shoes, preferably with adequate grip on the soles.
- Remember sunscreen, a hat and fluids to drink.
- For more ideas on how to get started visit the Starting Out Walking section on the Active Canterbury website(external link).
Find a group
There are more than 60 walking groups listed below.
| Group | Ability | When | Contact | Cost | Details |
| Avon Tramping Club | Intermediate to advanced | Wednesday various times |
Garry Roberts:
|
$30 plus transport costs |
Tramp every Wednesday for day tramps and occasionally overnight trips and base camps. Day tramps are normally 41/2 to 6 hours of moderate fitness required. We meet at various times and places |
| Lambda Lattes | Intermediate to advanced | Sunday 10am fortnightly |
John Wooles:
|
We meet at different parts of the city depending on where we are tramping. Carpool to keep costs as low as possible for members. Phone for meeting place. |
|
| Lambda Trampers | Advanced | Sunday 8am or 9am fortnightly |
Bryan Glichrist:
|
Transport costs |
Day tramps and walking around Canterbury. Social group for LGBTQ+. All ages are welcome. Phone for meeting place. |
| Thursday Walkers | Beginner to intermediate | Thursday 9.45am 10am |
Beverley Evans:
|
A 45-minute walk for fun and friendship, finishing with an optional coffee and chat afterwards. Different meeting spots each week. |
|
| City Ramblers | Intermediate to advanced | Tuesday 10.30am |
Pauline Murphy:
|
Free |
Walks around Christchurch for 1.5 to 2 hours. BYO lunch. Men and women in the 60+ age group are welcome. Phone for a programme. |
| Eastenders | Advanced | Monday 10am |
Barbara Powell:
Nola Gazzard:
|
$5 per year plus carpool costs. |
Friendly walking group that walks around various areas for 5 to 10km. All ages are welcome. BYO morning tea and lunch. Phone for a meeting point. |
| Happy Ramblers | Beginner | Tuesday 10am |
Claudia:
Hazel:
|
$10 per year |
Walks around various areas for the 65+ age group. Men and women are welcome. Meet at various locations. |
| Garden City Walkers | Intermediate | Saturday 9.30am |
Deanne:
Audrey Williamson:
|
Friendly walking group, various venues both hill and flat walks between 2.5 or 3 hours. Phone for information on meeting points. |
|
| Peninsula Tramping Club | Advanced | Saturday and Sunday various times |
Merv Meredith:
|
Varies |
Regular trips to cater for people of different levels of fitness and tramping experience. Trips range from easy to hard and may be anything from day trips to long weekends to a week or more. See our website or phone for meeting points. |
| Pioneer Trampers | Advanced | Thursday 8.30am or 9am |
Bevin Brett:
|
Carpool costs |
Walking on Thursdays in various places around Canterbury for 5 to 6 hours. A good level of fitness is required. BYO morning tea and lunch. Meet at one of three places around the perimeter of Christchurch. |
| Christchurch City Council Recreation and Sports Sunday Walks |
Beginner to intermediate | Sunday 10.30am |
Community Recreation Advisor:
|
Free |
1-hour walks, mostly flat, around Christchurch with interesting facts along the way. All ages and abilities are welcome. Meet at various locations. |
| Salvation Army Linwood | Beginner to advanced | Tuesday 10am |
Rodney:
|
$1 per walk |
Walks around various areas in Christchurch for 1 to 1.5 hours. All ages and abilities are welcome. Meet at the weekly walk location. |
| My Walking Group | Beginner to advanced | Saturday and Sunday various times |
Bevan:
Wendy:
|
$15 per year |
Walking group for 60+ singles. Flat and hill walks. Also other events. Meet at various locations. |
| Tower Tramping Club | Intermediate to advanced | Tuesday and Sunday various times |
Peter:
Tess:
|
$10 per year plus carpool costs |
Tuesday walks: Varied walks around the Canterbury area. Minimum 4-hour tramps. Contact Denise for the programme. Sunday walks: Tramps around various Canterbury locations. All ages are welcome. Meet at various locations. Contact Yvonne for a programme. Meet at various locations. |
| Tuesday Trekkers | Intermediate to advanced | Tuesday 8.30am or 9.30am |
Gary Seddon:
|
$15 per year plus transport costs |
Walks around Canterbury. Occasional club trips away. Two different ability groups advanced and semi-advanced. Meet at various locations. |
| Walkie Talkies | Intermediate | Thursday 10am |
Eric Guy:
|
Walks around Christchurch, mostly on flat, for 1 to 1.5 hours. Led by St Kentigerns and Burwood United members. Meet at various locations. Others welcome. |
|
| Wayfarers | Beginner to intermediate | Thursday 9.45am |
Lilly Chamberlain:
|
$5 per year |
Walks around Christchurch for men and women in the 50+ age group. Optional monthly joint luncheon. Meet at various locations. |
| Weekend Wanderers | Intermediate | Sunday 1.30pm fortnightly |
Stephanie Williams:
|
Carpool costs |
Walks around various Christchurch locations for approximately 2 hours. Occasionally longer trips away. Meet at various locations. |
| XY's Walkers | Intermediate to advanced | Thursday 9.30am |
Maureen Ryder:
|
Mainly hill walks of 3 to 4 hours around Christchurch. Meet at various locations. |
| Group | Ability | When | Contact | Cost | Details |
| Bishopdale Ramblers | Intermediate | Wednesday 9.30am |
Jonathan Allan:
|
$5 or $10 for out-of-town trips |
A mixed group of people who meet every Wednesday to enjoy the outdoors and each others company for a 7 to 8 km walk with stops for morning tea and lunch. The varied programme includes flat, coastal, and bush walks around the city, plus some to outer areas. Meet at the Bishopdale Library car park. |
| Burnside Joggers and Walkers Club | Beginner to advanced | Sunday 8.30am |
Terry Preddy:
|
Approx. $50 per year |
Walks around North West/ Burnside area in Christchurch. All ages are welcome. Shower and cup of tea available. A trip once a month to another location. Contact them through their Facebook page. Meet at Burnside Park Squash Clubrooms. |
| Bishopdale Tramping Club | Beginner to advanced | Wednesday 8.30am |
Dave Bastin:
|
$20 per tramp |
The club organises day tramps on Wednesdays over a wide range of tracks on public reserves, regional parks, forests and private farmland throughout Christchurch, Mid and North Canterbury. Each trip leaves the car park at Bishopdale Mall at 8.30am (or occasionally at 8am) and returns by about 5pm. |
| North West Hikers | Beginner to advanced | Wednesday times varies between 8am to 9am |
Maureen Mee:
|
Varies |
Hiking and tramping for leisure and pleasure is the aim of our club. With many varied hikes and tramps, that suit different levels of fitness, we explore many parts of the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas, even at times the greater South Island. Meet at Bishopdale Mall's rear car park. |
| Papanui Walk n Talk | Beginner | Wednesday 1pm |
Community Recreation Advisor:
|
Free |
A beginner's walking group with a 30-minute walk. Some away walks. Informative talks tri-monthly. Meet at Customer Service Hub, Papanui Library, corner Restell Street and Langdons Road. |
| Women's Social Walking Group | Beginner to intermediate | Tuesday Winter 10am, Summer 9.30am |
Bishopdale Community Trust:
|
$25 per year plus morning tea costs |
An active walking group doing a variety of walks including reserves and walkways, school walks and loop walks for 30 to 60 minutes. Finish up at Bishopdale Community Hub for morning tea. Meet at Bishopdale Community Hub, 94 Farrington Ave. |
| Kiwifit Northlands | Beginner to intermediate | Tuesday and Thursday 7.45am to 8.45am |
Northlands Customer Services:
|
Free |
Kiwifit is a free community walking programme run in Northlands Shopping Centre, providing our members with a chance to socialise and meet new people while keeping active. Register at the Customer Service Desk next to ANZ during Northland Mall centre hours before coming along to your first session. |
| Group | Ability | When | Contact | Costs | Details |
| WACST@Burwood | Beginner to intermediate | Thursday 10.30am | Betty Chapman:
|
$2 for transport |
Flat walks around the local area for 3 to 5km. Meet at 58 Bassett Street, Burwood. |
| Inspire Health and Fitness | Beginner | Monday 3.30pm and Sunday 10am | Amy Sixtus:
|
Free |
Fitness and fun. Join us for our free weekly walks on Fridays and Sundays. We walk, we chat, it's great. Meet at Mairehau Road car park, Travis Wetlands and various locations. |
| Linwood Walk n Talk | Beginner | Wednesday 10am | Community Recreation Advisor:
|
Free |
A 30-minute walk followed by an informative talk every second week. Meet at Linwood Union Church on the corner of Tilford Street and Linwood Ave. |
| Lyttelton Stollers | Intermediate | Thursday 10am in summer, 10.30am in winter | Reuben:
|
Transport or carpool coats |
Walks around the local area as well as visiting different beaches, gardens, and places of interest. The group carpools and finishes at a café. Meet at the Lyttelton Library. |
| Mt Pleasant Walking Group | Intermediate | Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am | Judy Calder:
|
Carpool costs |
Walking group for the 50+ age group. Walks on the flat and hills around various areas. Up to 2 hours. Meet at Mt Pleasant Community Centre car park, McCormacks Bay Road. |
| New Brighton Hill Walkers | Intermediate to advanced | Wednesday 9.30am | Elizabeth Cross:
|
Free |
Friendly group who enjoy various hill walks of approx. 4 hours. 10 to 12kms. BYO morning tea and lunch. Meet at the start of the walk. |
| Shirley Recreational Walkers | Intermediate | Monday 9.30am | Sue Lang:
|
Transport costs |
Walks around various flat areas. All ages are welcome. Meet on the corner of Chancellor Street and Shirley Road. |
| Shirley Recreational Walkers | Advanced | Thursday 9.30am | Sue Lang:
|
Transport costs |
Walks around various Hills areas. All ages are welcome. Meet on the corner of Chancellor Street and Shirley Road. |
| The Palms Walkers | Beginner | The last Thursday of every month 8.30am to 9am | Customer Services:
|
Free |
Walking group for seniors aged 65+. Walk throughout the centre taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle while making friendships along the way. Meet outside Muffin Break by the food court at 8.30am, and all walkers will receive a free coffee or cuppa provided afterwards. |
| Group | Ability | When | Contact | Costs | Details |
| Women out Walking - Akaroa | Intermediate to advanced | Thursday 10am | Kathleen
|
Carpool costs |
A social walking group for women of all ages in and around Akaroa and the outer bays. No dogs or children are permitted due to the environment of the walks. Phone for more information and meeting points. |
| Beckenham Walk n Talk | Beginner | Thursday 1pm | Community Recreation Advisor:
|
Free |
A 30-minute walk followed by an informative talk every second week. Meet at Christchurch South Library at the entranceway, Colombo Street. |
| Diamond Harbour Ramblers | Intermediate | Tuesday 10am but can vary | Mahony May:
|
$15 for the year plus shared transport costs |
Flat and hill walks around various areas, including trips away. BYO morning tea and lunch. Call to confirm start time good fitness and connection to Diamond Harbour required. Meeting points vary, please phone. |
| Halswell Walk n Talk | Beginner | Monday 10am | Community Recreation Advisor:
|
Free |
A 30-minute walk followed by an informative talk every second week. Meet at Te Hapua Halswell Centre, Halswell Library. |
| Hoon Hay Walking Group | Beginner to intermediate | Wednesday 10am | Barbara Sparks:
|
$3 for carpool if going away |
Walking group for the 50+ age group. Walk for approximately 1 hour. Meet at Hoon Hay Road. Phone before attending. |
| Port Hills Walkers | Advanced | Thursday 9am | Ann Hamilton:
|
Transport costs |
Walk various places around Canterbury for 3 to 4 hours for all age groups. A good level of fitness is needed plus appropriate shoes. BYO morning tea and lunch. Please note that this group is currently at capacity. Email to go on the waiting list. |
| Group | Ability | When | Contact | Cost | Details |
| Fendalton Walk n Talk | Beginner to intermediate | Thursday 10am |
Community Recreation Advisor:
|
Free |
30-minute walk followed by an informative talk once a month. Meet at Fendalton Library, corner Jeffery and Clyde Roads. |
| Merivale Seniors Walking Group | Beginner to intermediate | Monday 10am |
Doreen Grey:
|
Optional coffee afterwards |
Walking group for the 60+ age group. Meets at 10am inside Merivale Mall, in front of the supermarket. |