These Feet Are Made For Walking – Beach Part 2
Once you have recovered out of the acute stage of inflammation or injury and you have participated in adequate rehabilitation, short walks on the sand, or longer walks with many stairs or hills, can then be reintroduced.
- Initially start on hard packed sand with shoes on
- Work up to short periods in the softer sand
- Remember: walk before you run!
Beach Walking
A suitable walk for this group is Tallow Beach. The six and half kilometre stretch of beach between the Cape Byron Conservation Area and Broken Head Nature Reserve is perfect for mixing it up between hard and soft sand, and walking and running
Try out the Federation Coastal walk or Burleigh Head National Park, for spectacular water views, and in the right season, whale watching. This walk is about 2.5km with some hills included.
Walk toward the light!
Once you are well recovered, you have minimal or no pain and your strength and endurance are improving, it’s time to increase the length and difficulty. At this stage, depending on your overall fitness, any persisting foot problems or enjoyment level, you could:
- Increase to longer walks including combination of pathway and beach
- Then longer walks on the beach
- Eventually you will be ready for bush hiking again
A suitable walk for this group is Cape Byron walking track. It’s a 3.7km loop but be accessed at numerous points and walked in shorter sections. It has a lot of steps and some steep sections. Starting points including Captain Cook lookout, The Pass, Wategos Beach and Cape Byron Lighthouse.
If you need to increase the length without hills, try any stretch of the Gold Coast Oceanway, 36kms to choose from!
If you are experiencing foot or ankle problems, please contact orthopaedic surgeon Dr Danielle Wadley to discuss your options. 07 5645 6913.
