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Walking and rambling is one of the most popular ways of using free time
in an active manner.
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The opportunities are many and wide
ranging. You can take short walks in the town or go for long hikes
in the country.
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Many people take walks as a regular but informal kind of
exercise (see also jogging and cycling); other do so in order to exercise their
pets.
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Special
footpaths can be followed as well as ordinary roads and tracks.
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Backpackers' Club www.catan.demon.co.uk/backpack/
Long Distance Walkers Association www.ldwa.org.uk/
Ramblers Association www.ramblers.org.uk/
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Country Walking
TGO - The Great Outdoors
The Rambler
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Find a local walking or
rambling group
or club (see organisations above).
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See if your local group
has introductory sessions or special walks.
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Consult books or magazines
on different aspects of walking and rambling, and where to go.
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Check in your local library/paper
or with the local council for more information.
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Skills and people
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No
special skills are needed and walking and rambling can be done by
people of all ages and abilities, as well as both sexes.
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It is easy to walk on your own but many people like to go out with
friends or to join a group who go walking or rambling on a regular
basis. In addition to the stimulus and social contact, joining a
rambling group can introduce you to new routes and paths in the
countryside.
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For longer walks, it is better if the people you walk with are of roughly
the same physical ability as yourself, but they need not be of the same
age or sex.
Equipment or clothing
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For ordinary short walking no special equipment or clothing is needed
except comfortable shoes or boots and clothing suited to the weather.
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More
serious walkers, especially in the hills, choose to wear special boots,
and take maps and compasses.
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Mountain walkers are advised to take
special precautions against being caught by bad weather.
A place or facilities
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Walks can be taken almost anywhere in town or country, but the national
network of footpaths is a particular focus for longer country rambles.
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Many places have specially
marked paths designed to give easy access to walking.
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