Walking: good for heart and mind

The Ramblers are urging Britain on to its feet for a weekend of walking.

The charity is organising free walks across Britain in its quest to improve the health of the nation in its second Get Walking Day. Walks will be less than five miles long and open to all.

There are venues in both cities and countryside, which chimes with the new Ramblers’ push to combine both traditional rural walking with urban routes. The organisation says the benefits of walking – both physical and mental – are for all to enjoy.

The events will take place across Scotland, England and Wales on the weekend of 30 May and 1 June.

Ramblers' president Floella Benjamin

Floella Benjamin, former TV presenter and now president of the Ramblers added: “Walking is the best and most accessible activity around. Just 30 minutes of walking a day, five times a week is enough to make you feel fitter and better. No matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone can enjoy a walk. Joining Get Walking Day is an excellent way to kick-start a lifelong love of walking.”

The Ramblers’ website has a map listing the walks organised for the weekend.

The charity has a network of more than 12,000 grassroots volunteers who work for a walking Britain. For 74 years it has helped build and protect Britain’s 241,000km (150,000-mile) path network and runs more than 28,000 walks a year.