Chance for women to keep fit at woodland walking sessions

Nordic walking, which involves hiking with poles, is estimated to use 90 per cent of the body’s muscles, making it a more efficient workout than rambling without sticks.

Hannah Darcel, health ranger with the Forestry Commission which manages the woodland, said: “It’s become a real fitness craze and it is great fun.

“Wharncliffe is a stunning wood, with important conservation sites, archaeology and wildlife and this event is a great way to discover its charms.”

The area is one of eight “community woodlands” in South Yorkshire which were established by the Forestry Commission on the site of former collieries.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “With the decline of coal mining and the closure of the pits, the sites were left derelict.

“The new community woodlands range from 37 to 100 hectares and have been planted with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees.

“They have given local communities access to an additional 460 hectares of green space within South Yorkshire, which has added to the greening and overall improvement that is taking place within the county.”

For further details on the Nordic walking sessions, which cost £5 with pole hire or £3 for those who provide their own sticks, call Ms Darcel on 01623 821452.

Sessions also run once a fortnight at other community woodlands, alternating between Kiveton and Dinnington.