Ideas to get you walking

Walking with your family
Try walking with your family at weekends. It's a chance to spend some time together - and again an opportunity to walk the dog! There are vast areas of open countryside and thousands of miles of footpaths, bridleways or byways throughout the UK. You can get to nearby countryside by car or local transport. There are national campaigns to maintain and improve rural transport services for families without a car. [See Information: Countrygoer Project] For ideas of where to walk see Best Foot Forward.

Sponsored walks
Most of you will take part in a sponsored walk at some time. Distances are usually short and the walk can be good fun if you do it with a group of friends. The walks are non-competitive and the money raised benefits local charities or organisations. If you do a sponsored walk in warm weather, make sure you drink regularly and wear comfortable shoes. Take a change of socks and something for blisters - just in case!

Walking for an Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme includes an expedition as one of its components. This involves walking a fair distance with a small group and camping overnight en route. Those who take part find it hard work but thoroughly enjoyable [For details, see the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme on BT HomeCampus]

Walking Holidays
Walking holidays are becoming more popular and with so many areas of natural beauty in the UK and throughout the world it's not surprising. There are lots of travel companies that organise holidays but a cheaper way is to contact Youth Hostels or registered Outward Bound Centres to see what they have to offer. Tourist Information Offices have names and addresses.

Orienteering
Orienteering is a sport where you navigate your way between control points marked on a specially drawn map. Courses vary in length from about 2km for beginners and children to more than 12km for experienced adult orienteers. At any orienteering event there's a range of courses suitable for newcomers and for experts.

Competitive Walking
Race walking is a competitive, athletic event. Walkers use a special walking technique to give them a faster, longer stride. In race walking, your feet must make continuous, unbroken contact with the ground. If you are interested in this type of walking, contact a local athletics club for more details.

Walking Clubs

The Ramblers
The Ramblers Association, established in 1935, is the national organisation for walkers of all ages. It promotes the benefits of walking in the countryside through the work of its local groups. The government has passed a number of laws as a result of its work. Most of these are concerned with giving you the right to enjoy the countryside.

It is still campaigning for improved laws and its current campaign, 'Let's Get Going' aims to help everyone enjoy the countryside. This includes the very young, older age groups, low income families, disabled individuals and people who live in inner cities.

Local groups organise regular walks. Some of these walks introduce you to local places of interest but occasionally, you may travel to another area for an afternoon's walk. Each walk is led by someone with knowledge of the area. There is a wide age range within any ramblers group, but they are keen to welcome younger members. [See Information]

Backpackers Club
Many serious walkers attempt some of the famous 'long walks'. The distances involved mean that it is sometimes necessary to camp on the way. Founded in 1972, the Backpackers Club is a UK based club for people who enjoy walking and camping. Backpacking walks can take place over a weekend or for longer periods, but, like the ramblers, you have the reassurance of walking and camping with a group. New members are always welcome. [See Information]

Orienteering Clubs
Orienteering is a fun, competitive way to walk around and appreciate the countryside. Clubs organise events for people of all ages and levels. You go at your own pace, and choose your own routes between the red and white markers. The British Orienteering Federation has information about all local clubs. [See Information]