03 Jan 2026
Many of us will be thinking about our health and fitness as the New Year starts. How do we make fitness part of our routine? And how do we make it fun?
Walking is one of the very best and very easiest things we can do. And when we walk with others, we don’t just benefit physically: we benefit mentally and socially as well.
St Albans is a great centre for walking. It is in a county with some of the most numerous and best maintained footpaths in the UK. There are national trails here too – well walked ones – including the Hertfordshire Way and the Chiltern Way.
Plenty of walking groups take advantage of this great setting. Whatever the day you want to walk, whatever the distance, you will find a walking group to suit.
The oldest walking group in the St Albans area – formed in 1967 – is the St Albans and District Footpaths Society. Its members know a thing or two about walking. They walk on a Thursday and offer two walks each week. One is usually about 6.5 miles, one is usually about 4.5 miles. Both explore the wonderful footpaths of the Hertfordshire countryside. There is an experienced
walk leader and friendly walkers to get to know. A pub lunch often rewards the walk – though this is always optional.
Many walking groups ask you to confirm your attendance each week. St Albans Footpaths is different. You don’t need to ‘book’ or say you’re coming. You just turn up. You can even try three walks before you join. When you do join, membership is only £3 a year.
The Society’s expertise over the years is reflected in the two bestselling walking guides of the area – 24 Footpath Walks in Hertfordshire and 24 Footpath Walks around St Albans, which are available at Waterstones and other good shops.
And those really good footpaths? The Society doesn’t just walk – its members work hard to protect footpaths, improve them and fight for them when necessary. So if you want more than a walk, you can contribute your time and your skills to really make a difference. Find out more at stalbansfootpaths.org
Happy walking!
