Active Living
Regular physical activity is a key to good health and better quality of life. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, feel more energetic, sleep better, decrease depression, prevent chronic disease, and much more! Aim for 30-60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Walking is a great place to start – even 10 minutes at a time offers benefits. To stay physically active over the long run, explore a variety of activities you enjoy and invite people to join you.
Walking Groupstop ↑
Walking groups are a great way to enjoy the social benefits of walking – and can provide the motivation and accountability we sometimes need to get going and walk a little more! Each group is different and has its own characteristics…so if one doesn’t work for you another might.
- ANDERSON
- Group: Anderson River Park
Meeting Location: Kiddie Land Parking Lot
Meeting Time: 7:00 am, daily. Call at 6 am to verify walking group will meet.
Length/ duration of walk: 30 minutes, can choose to walk more
Members: Adults 50 years and up
Contact information: Jean, 378-1591
- BURNEY
- Group: Ride, Roll & Stroll Burney
Meeting Location: Bailey Park off Marquette Street (Burney)
Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 12:10 pm
Length/duration of walk: About 30-45 minutes
Members: Any age, children welcome (bikes & strollers also welcome)
Contact information: Audrey, 335-6702 - Group: Burney Senior Walking Group
Meeting Location: Cemetery in Burney
Meeting Time: 8:00 am
Length/duration of walk: 1 hour, approximately 2 1/2 miles
Members: Adults 50 years and up
Contact information: Tina, 335-4938
- COTTONWOOD
- Group: Cottonwood Walking Group
Meeting Location: West Cottonwood Jr. High
Meeting Time: Wednesday mornings, 8 am
Length/duration of walk: 2 miles
Members: Adults 50 years and up
Contact information: Carol, 347-5269
- LAKEHEAD
- Group: Lakehead Senior Walking group
Meeting Location: Canyon School Track/gym
Meeting Time: Resumes in September, call for day and time
Length/duration of walk: One hour
Members: Adults 50 years and up
Contact information: Emigene, 238-8227
- REDDING
- Group: Mercy Mall Walkers
Meeting Location: Mt. Shasta Mall
Meeting Time: M-F, 7–9 am, Blood pressure and mile log on Tuesday mornings, Saturday morning breakfast once a month
Length/duration of walk: Length and time varies with individual and course
Members: Mostly seniors, any age welcome
Contact information: (530) 24-MERCY - Group: Shasta Sundial Strollers/American Volkssport Association (AVA)
Meeting Location: Varies – mostly Redding
Walk Meeting Time: Varies – see current schedule on Calendar page (under ‘Event Calendars’).
Club Business Meeting: 1st Wednesday of every month at the YMCA
Length/duration of walk: 5km (3.1 miles) and 10km (6.2 miles)
Members: Anyone welcome
Contact information: Cynthia, 246-4130, ShastaSundialStrollers@yahoo.com - Group: Sacramento River Trail
Meeting Location: Trailhead near Senior Center off Benton Dr., Redding
Meeting Time: M/W/F, 8am summer, 9am winter. Call to verify time
Length/duration of walk: Length and duration varies
Members: Adults 50 years and up
Contact information: Hazel, 242-6748
Want to add your walking group to the list?
Want information on how to start a walking group?
Contact us at info@healthyshasta.org or 229-8243.
Walking Tipstop ↑
- Try to walk or be physically active at least 30-60 minutes most days of the week.
- Always wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Look for good arch support, a firm heel, and plenty of room for your toes.
- Walk briskly. A moderate pace is when your heart rate or breathing noticeably increase, but you can still maintain a conversation while walking. Stop if you feel pain, severe fatigue, lightheaded, dizzy, or significant shortness of breath.
- Set your goals to walk for a specified amount of time rather than distance.
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you exercise. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to take a drink.
- Fuel up with a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Don’t forget to check with your doctor before starting any physical activity program, especially if you are over age 50 or have a special medical condition such as heart disease.
- Warm up and cool down with 5 minutes of slow walking and some light stretching to prevent injuries and stiffness and increase your flexibility.
Check out our local trail maps
Walkability Checklist Tool
A “walkable” community is one that is safe, convenient, and pleasant for walking. More people walk for both recreation and transportation when a community is walkable – which helps improve fitness, health, air quality, and creates a greater sense of community.
Join the fun! Local Recreation Opportunitiestop ↑
Add more physical activity to your life by having fun with great people! Many local clubs offer recreational activities at low or no cost to the public. Click on the club name to learn more and see what each group offers.
- Northern California Outdoor Adventurers - This group is for positive minded people who like to meet new friends and have fun with people who enjoy the great outdoors and like adventures of all kinds. It doesn’t matter how old, young, fast, slow, or how advanced you are with any particular activity. Everyone gets to explore their own capabilities at their own pace… without pressure.
- Penguin Paddlers Kayak & Canoe Club - Enjoy year ‘round paddling on lakes, calm rivers, and the ocean as well as road trips each month, with a club that promotes fun, family, friends, and safety.
- Redding Mountain Biking - Enjoy the outdoors, getting to know new people and having a blast riding with this group that plans weekend trips as well as local rides. Riders of all ages and fitness levels are welcome.
- Redding Recreation - Providing people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to pursue hobbies, develop talents, form new friendships, and enjoy various sports. Be an Action Hero! Redding Recreation is always looking for individuals to lead or teach classes. Call 225-4095 if you’re interested.
- Redding YMCA Rowing Club - Keep fit forever! Rowing is a low impact sport that uses all the major muscle groups. Learn to row by signing up for a Beginner’s Rowing Class.
- Record Searchlight Recreation Calendar - Current listings of a wide variety of recreational opportunities listed in alphabetical order with descriptions and contact information.
- Recreation Unlimited Fun & Friends - This group started as a group of friends who wanted to expand their horizons, meet new friends and enjoy what the area has to offer. The calendar includes activities such as mountain biking, outdoor snow sports, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, disc golf, and recreational boating. Feel free to join in any activity on the calendar or suggest something you would like to do.
- Shasta Wheelmen - Join this family-oriented cycling group for a ride! A variety of scheduled rides are offered every month and riders of all ages are welcome.
- SWEAT - Join fellow runners at any of the multiple competitive and non-competitive running events this club hosts each year. Members enjoy races, training, fun runs, and social gatherings.
- We Ski II - Enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities with this fun group! Event activity levels vary from beginner to expert, with an emphasis on recreation, not competition.
