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People are being encouraged to step up their fitness through a new series of guided walks that gradually move from a wetland wander to a more challenging hill climb.
The Sport Canterbury-based Green Prescription team – together with the Adventure Specialties Trust – has designed four winter walks for “beginner explorers”.
The first walk on Thursday 20 May traverses the Travis Wetland, with the series culminating with a walk to the top of the Port Hills on Thursday 1 July. The other walks include a coastal walk from Spencer Park on 3 June and along the Mount Vernon Track on 17 June.
“There are four bush walks in the series and they start flat and progress, so that by the fourth walk, participants may be prepared for a gentle gradient,” Green Prescription team lead Abby Wilson says.
“For some people, it may be their first time heading into the Port Hills.”
Ms Wilson hopes that people will “explore the benefits of being in nature and walking with a group – the sense of community, connection and enjoying new scenery with like-minded people”.
The Green Prescription programme provides support and motivation for people wanting to increase or maintain their physical activity. You can register online.