designed to allow the user to focus on specif_i c ref_l ex areas, as well T_h e Trentham barefoot T_h e Trentham Barfuss [barefoot] Park
as walking for his or her general health benef_i t. Various ref_l ex Park path is one.fittedkm long path is much more gentle.”
zones are stimulated, depending on the path surface structure and and boasts a total of two.fittedfour.fitted Approximately three.fitted.two.fittedf_t (one.fittedm) wide and
design. Natural barefoot paths are not therapeutically designed dif_f erent terrains, from one.fittedkm (one.fitted,zero.fittedzero.fittedzero.fittedm) in length, the trail is
with specif_i c health benef_i ts in mind,” she explains. mud and mulch to modelled on the principles of Kneipp
Nonetheless, natural barefoot paths are a wonderful way of sand and shingle and encompasses a total of two.fittedfour.fitted dif_f erent
getting back to the basics of outdoor barefoot walking she says. terrains from sof_t grass, mulch and
“For many people, this is a shock in itself.” mud to cold water, smooth pebbles and shingle.
Trentham’s own staf_f designed and built the path following
GERMAN INFLUENCE
their experiences in Germany. Walker estimates that sterling.fittedfive.fittedzero.fitted,zero.fittedzero.fittedzero.fitted
Willie Reitz, a German spa operator and the man responsible for (USdollar.fittedeight.fittedthree.fitted,one.fittedfive.fittedzero.fitted, five.fittedeight.fitted,five.fittedfive.fittedzero.fitted) was invested in the venture with the addi-
England’s only barefoot path at Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent, tional cost of labour. “It’s important for us that the garden attracts
regularly walks barefoot trails and considers them an important a broad audience and that the Barfuss Park is an entirely appropri-
part of his health regime. He would like to include a path at his ate complement to the rest of the existing garden,” he says.
Calypso spa in Saarbrücken if only he had the space. “Certainly, tens of thousands of visitors have used the walk. It’s
A shareholder in the Trentham Estate, Reitz took some of the great fun and a really good family activity. Children love it – even
staf_f to visit his local barefoot paths in the Black Forest before toddlers walk it two or three times. Older visitors f_i nd it more
introducing the concept to the seven.fittedfive.fittedzero.fitted-acre (three.fittedzero.fittedfour.fitted-hectare) estate. challenging, but that’s half the attraction.”
Michael Walker, garden and estate manager at Trentham, took T_h e cost of the Barfuss Park at Trentham is included in the
part in the trip and says the English version is somewhat milder garden’s admission price of sterling.fittedseven.fitted (USdollar.fittedone.fittedtwo.fitted, eight.fitted), but most barefoot
than those he experienced in Germany. “Ours is shorter than a walks in Germany charge a nominal fee – perhaps for parking – if
typical German walk, which lef_t my feet scratched and bruised anything at all. Anecdotal evidence suggests there are more than
af_t er a two.fitted-mile (three.fitted.two.fitted-km) hike over some very rough surfaces. six.fittedzero.fitted barefoot walks scattered throughout Germany.
SpSPa BuA BUSINESS 4 2009SineSS 4 2009
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