Nordic walking benefits:

• Use 90% of your muscles, by using upper body equally as hard as lower body

• Improve & correct your posture, & strengthen your lower back & core muscles

• Increase your cardiovascular and aerobic fitness

• Lift pelvic floor, essential for everyone, this is where the power for our shoulder/arm strength originates in the body

• Alleviate pressure on knees/hips/ankles for the duration of your hikes

• Increase uphill speed by ⅓ with correct posture and pole plant

• Manage your poles over technical or tricky ground, to give confidence.

• Take your hiking to the next level AND most of all... have fun in the fells with 4 legs!

Course information: During this course, we will start with the basic techniques on flat ground, followed by a short hike up a section of beautiful fellside to Sweden Bridge for a lovely loop, just under 3 miles. We will stop regularly to learn the next step and understanding the Nordic style tools for keeping fit outdoors with poles. We even have a go at skipping with poles for a bit of fun. We teach how to propel up hill efficiently with your poles and how effectively you can you protect your knees and hips down hill too. Rough ground typical to the Lake District can cause concern for some, especially over wet or rocky paths. Using poles correctly can alleviate this anxiety, and enable momentum over ground which may have historically caused you to move a much slower pace. Balance and posture are also paramount in the Lake District fells whilst carrying a heavy backpack. Remember your poles are not crutches and must not be leant on, but used efficiently, and we can show you how!

A small kit list will be required, and detailed on your booking form. Please also fill out the booking form provided in the instructions of your confirmation email.

This event is in support of the Alfred Wainwright exhibition hosted by The Armitt, co-curated by Chris Butterfield.

About the walker

Nicola Merrett founded "Hiking Highs" and formally "Nics Nordic Walks" in 2015 to deliver guided walking breaks, inspire folks in the Lake District Mountains and share her passion for the hills. Using poles in the fells and also teaching their magic is Nicky's passion, alongside navigation, to those keen to develop their skills in the hills. As an accomplished Nordic Walking Coach for hiking and distance events, Nicky found her clients were keen to explore higher fells, so she took the next step to qualify as a Mountain Leader in 2018. Nicky now teaches the Bronze, Silver & Gold Levels of Navigation for the National Navigation Award Scheme, recognised by the Mountain Training Association (MTA).