Last updated at 15:28, Tuesday, 20 October 2009

There is nothing like a brisk walk in the Northumbrian countryside to make you feel alive. Walking is a very easy hobby to fall into. You don’t need masses of expensive equipment, huge amounts of experience or high levels of fitness to start tramping the paths of Northumberland.

There are walks for just about anyone, from short and flat to extreme heights with rugged terrain and I have walked them through rain and hail to beautiful sunshine. Walking is very good way to stay fit and can be fitted in around your already busy lives. For example I now walk to work every day which is 20 minutes in the morning which wakes me up by the time I arrive in the office.

I have discovered some rather useful websites for those who want to delve deeper into walking, www.runfinder.co.uk is an excellent site which allows you to calculate the distance you have walked. It is very easy to use, you just plot your points on a map and it does all the hard work.

The next website gives you routes of walks along the Tyne Valley, which can either begin or end at one of the numerous train stations that are in operation. It can be very pleasant going for a long walk safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to do it all again on the return journey and can instead opt for the easier option of getting the train back home. www.nationaltrail.co.uk/HadriansWall/downloads

As I said earlier, there is nothing like getting out and about in Northumberland with all its varying scenes, this last website gives some different options of routes to take. www.visitnorthumberland.com/site/activities/walking

Well, I think I have said enough. I hope I have made you want to go and get your walking boots on and explore the lovely area we live in.

Vikki Ord

First published at 12:04, Friday, 21 August 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk