Walking in a Chatham Wonderland
Get the most out of the summer weather by taking a walk in it! Take full advantage of the Chatham Walking Series and all of the walking trails that the activity has to offer. For a low impact exercise that is beneficial for the mind and body, these offerings are guaranteed to lead you to your next favorite hobby! Grab your water bottle and your walking shoes and explore Chatham County nature on foot!
Fun Fact: Brisk walking helps to reduce body fat, lower blood pressure and increase high-density lipoprotein.
Chatham Walking Series:
The East Chatham, Northeast Chatham and Southwest Chatham Walking Series are offered throughout the weekdays and cater to a wide geographic area! The Walking Series will run until October and participation is free!
The East Chatham Walking Series begins at the Eastern Chatham Senior Center at 365 Highway 87 in Pittsboro on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. This series is sponsored by the Chatham County Council on Aging. Contact (919) 542-4512 or [email protected] for more information.
The Northeast Chatham Walking Series meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Participants will meet at Northeast District Park, at 5408 Big Woods Road, in Chapel Hill. This event is sponsored by Chatham County Parks and Recreation. To learn more, contact [email protected].
The Southwest Chatham Walking Series meets at Southwest District Park, 15124 NC Highway 902 in Bear Creek on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8 a.m. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Fun Fact: Given that the world is about 25,000 miles in circumference and that the average walking rate is 3 miles per hour, it would take a person walking nonstop approximately 347 days to walk around the world.
Walking Trails:
There is no shortage of opportunities when it comes to walking trails in Chatham County. If you miss one of the Walking Series sessions and are looking to catch up or just want to spend a relaxing weekend outdoors, stroll through any one of these beautiful paths! Trails may vary in length, nature features and price, so make sure to choose the trail that best suits your walking needs!
Pittsboro:
- THANKS (Trail for Health, Art, and Nature for Kids to Seniors): Located at the Central Carolina Community College off of Highway 64
- Pittsboro Jaycee Park Trail: Located at the Jaycee Park
- Matthews AME Zion Church Trail: Located at the St. Matthews AME Zion Church
Siler City:
- Boiling Lane Park Trail: Located on South Fir Street
- Paul Braxton Field Trail: Located behind the Siler City Community Center
- Washington Avenue Park Trail: Located on 14th Street
Jordan Lake Recreation Area:
- Ebenezer Church Recreation Area
- Jordan Lake Dam Area
- Jordan Lake Education State Forest
- New Hope Overlook Recreation Area
- Seaforth Recreation Area
- Vista Point Recreation Area
- Weaver Creek Trail
- Wildlife Observation Deck
Fun Fact: A 2000 study reported that walking regularly (three times or more a week for half an hour or more) saves $330 a year in health care costs.
Walking Tips:
In order to stay safe during your exercise routines, there are a few good practices to follow. Before beginning your walk, start with a warm-up at a comfortable pace. While walking, make sure to stand tall and stride naturally with your knees and toes pointed forward. Throughout the week and during your workouts, don’t forget to set goals and to attempt intervals. Most importantly, make sure your shoes fit properly and are comfortable!
Fun Fact: A typical pair of tennis shoes will last 500 miles of walking.
Tags: Chatham Walking Series, Hiking, Jordan Lake, Outdoors, Pittsboro, Siler City, Sports, Trails, Walking