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There are undeniably a wide range of walking routes in the UK which will both challenge and interest keen trekkers, however, sometimes it is nice to spread your wings a bit and try a new route abroad.The Pyrenees in France are the perfect option for an extended walking holiday and the GR10 route is particularly recommended.Where is it?The GR 10 covers a massive 538 miles and takes between 52 and 60 days to complete. It runs the entire length of the Pyrenees Mountains parallel to the French-Spani....

With a number of bank holiday weekend approaching and summer on the horizon there has never been a better time to get out and about and explore the Great British countryside.Wherever you live in the UK there are a number of stunning trekking routes which showcase the nation's various regions and enable people enjoy the great outdoors while getting some valuable exercise.The only issue is, with so many routes on offer, people can often be left baffled by the amount of choice.Here are our top ....

Anyone who decides to take up mountain biking on a regular basis should consider buying their own bike, as it is better to have one which is comfortable and properly adjusted to suit the needs of the rider. The price As with most things the price bracket for mountain bikes is wide and the more that is spent on a bike the more sophisticated it will be. Prices for a decent bike start at about £250, so a beginner may wish to purchase one at around this amount. From there the cost can go u....

For those heading a bit further afield for their ski holiday there is one place that really stands out – North America. It may be further afield than the slopes of Europe but skiing in America is still affordable and has amazing snow quality and quantity, making it a good for winter sports enthusiasts. Here's our breakdown of the top ski resorts to visit if you fancy heading across the Atlantic next winter. Aspen, Colorado One of the best known ski regions in the world – Aspe....

Once you have got to grips with the basics of geocaching you will find that there are extra levels and elements to explore. These include Travel Bugs and Geocoins which are like hitchhikers which move from cache to cache by those on seeking missions. What is a Travel Bug? A Travel Bug is a tag which is attached to an item in a cache, which is then trackable online at geocaching.com They are designed to travel around and are often assigned a task, such as making it to a final destination or v....

Deciding to build a shelter instead of taking a tent commits a person to sleeping out in the wild, so it should not be undertaken lightly. Make sure that construction of your shelter is started well before the light begins to fade, with enough time to have it completed before dark. This will ensure you have not located your temporary accommodation in a silly or dangerous place and that it won't be rushed or have holes in it. Where to build a shelter The temptation may be to build a shelt....

Looking at a map for the first time can be a bit daunting as there is often a lot of information in quite a small area. Once an aspiring map reader has got to grips with what all the different lines, symbols and numbers mean it is much easier to decipher. What do the brown circular lines mean? The brown lines on most maps especially Ordnance Survey maps are known as contour lines and these denote mountains and hills. They show the height of the land above sea level, which is a good way to ma....

Once you have hit the slopes once or twice you may want to consider investing in your own skis rather than using the rental pairs, especially if you plan to go skiing a lot in the future. However, it is not simply a case of picking up any old pair, there are a number of considerations such as your height, your skiing style and your skill level. The first thing you need to do is have a think about your skiing style – do you prefer straightforward downhill, alpine or even racing? Your pref....

Why walk the West Highland Way? As a longer walking route the West Highland Way represents a good challenge at 96 miles long, through beautiful scenery with the backdrop of some fantastic mountains. Gordon Forrester, long distance route advisor for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, said: "The terrain is varied, including dense woodland, lowland moors as well as steep mountainous regions, which provide habitats for a wide range of wildlife species." Where in the world is i....

The highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, and the tallest peak in southern Britain, Pen y Fan are both great walks if you want to spend a day in the Welsh countryside. Snowdon is situated in north Wales within Snowdonia National Park and has a number of routes to be climbed, ranging from easy to more challenging. This makes it a good mountain to tackle for anybody, but walkers should make sure they know their limits and choose the route most suitable to them. Pen y Fan is located in Brecon Beac....

So you want to go skiing, but have never done it before? Then here is a guide to what to take with you to get the most out of a skiing holiday, whether it be with family, friends or just you and your partner.What you will needSkis, boots and poles – more proficient skiers tend to have their own, but for those just trying out the sport it is a good idea to rent this equipment.When booking a ski package it is a good idea to see if ski rental is included, as this can be quite expensive as an ....

When it comes to hill walking you can buy all kinds of gadgets to help you on your way, however, the piece of equipment which really matters is your walking boots. Hill walking is supposed to be fun but finishing a mammoth trek with sore feet and a number of blisters can really take the shine off an otherwise great day out and these kinds of problems can be easily avoided by taking the time to buy the perfect pair of walking boots. Which type? The first thing to consider is what type of walki....

For some simply walking up a mountain is a challenge in itself but for those who like to push themselves fell running is the ideal sport. As its name suggests, fell running involves running over hills and mountains. It is said to date back to the early 1000s when King Malcolm Canmore organised a hill race in order to find a swift messenger and records show that it became a popular pastime in the 19th century with records showing a number of events taking place across the UK. Today, fell racing....

France has long been a favoured destination for skiers from the UK due to its relative proximity and the high standard of facilities available.In 1878 skis were featured as a modern invention at the Universal Exhibition in Paris and soon afterwards adopted by the French alpine military.By the time of the Winter Olympics of 1924 in Chamonix skiing had really taken off and ever since there has been a love affair between France and the snowy sport.1.      The 3 ValleysWhen ....

The sun is shining and you fancy exploring the great outdoors by heading into the countryside, however, before setting off on a trek you need to ensure that you have all the necessary kit packed away in your rucksack. The Great British weather is less than reliable meaning you need to be prepared for everything from sun to sleet and it's also advisable to pack essentials in case of slips, trips and the odd hunger pang! Here's our guide to what not to leave behind. Waterproofs As prev....

To the uninitiated, ultralighting may seem like something to do with energy efficient lightbulbs, however, to outdoor enthusiasts ultralight flying is one of the best ways to get a true sense of freedom in the Great British countryside. What exactly is it? Ultralighting refers to a very lightweight one or two person aircraft. These can vary in design with the most common having strut-braced wings and an airframe structure while being powered by a three-axis control system as found on a regular....

Skiing is one of those activities which once undertaken leaves you wanting to do it again and again and there is nothing which compares to flying down the slopes on a sunny day complete with fresh powder. But of course before anyone can expect to book a skiing holiday and wile away a week or two on the slopes, the skill of skiing must first be mastered. It is important that beginners to skiing can learn in a supportive and appropriate atmosphere in which they feel comfortable in order to progr....

Mountain biking is a great way to get into the great outdoors and allows you to see more of the countryside than just by walking. It is good for getting and keeping fit and bike rides can vary between a jaunt for a couple of hours, whole day expeditions or even extended trips. The great thing about mountain biking is that it can be practiced alone, with another person or in groups with the rest of the family for instance. What you will need A mountain bike – it is important that it is ....

Geocaching is like a treasure hunt for outdoor enthusiasts which involves using a GPS receiver to help the seeker find the spoils. Participants can either decide to be someone who hides the cache or a person who goes in search of it. To get involved the most you can decide to both hide and seek for a cache and enjoy everything the activity has to offer. What you will need A GPS receiver Some bits and pieces to put in the cache A login for www.geocaching.com Pen Logbook Plastic box Star....

Orienteering is a form of navigating which often involves picking up tags along the way and is carried out on a pre-planned course. It can be undertaken walking, running or jogging and sometimes teams compete against each other to see who can get around the course the fastest. Orienteering is a fun way to get to know an area, complete a task in the great outdoors and learn new skills. Courses Most people who go orienteering attend a place where the course has already been set up and these ar....