News Archive

Dog walkers get more exercise each week than those who go to the gym, according to new research.Everyone has seen disgruntled dog owners out in the rain early on a weekend morning and felt sorry for them. However they could have discovered the key to staying fit and healthy.Results from a survey by pet health specialists Bob Martin, discovered that in total pet owners spend five hours and 38 minutes a week walking the dog. This is compared to the one hour and 20 minutes that gym-goers spend exer....

Hikers are being given the chance to air their concerns about walking in the UK by the Ramblers.The walking charity is asking people from all over the country to log onto its website and help it decide what to campaign about. Whether you walk in the city or the country, the group wants you to decide what will be its top priorities next year.On its website the Ramblers said: "We would like to find out the issues which you feel we should be campaigning on in 2010 and beyond. We are interested....

The best skiing destinations in the UK this winter have been named by the Independent.Northern England is not a place most people would associate with chair lifts and piste bashers but there are actually five resorts offering skiing in the area.Yad Moss is the biggest of the group with two piste bashers, three graded pistes and a new cafe for that all important apres ski. While the resorts may not be as large as those in mainland Europe they're ideal for people wanting to try out their new ski w....

New snow has been falling in alpine resorts in time for the Christmas ski season, reports fast track ski.The ski holiday specialists report that Chamonix and Val d'Isere in France, Solden in Austria and Corvara in Italy have received snowfall of a foot or more over the past few days.Ischgel in Austria has been named as the top destination to start the season with all the runs and lifts opening this weekend, including a lift over the border to Switzerland.Heavy snowfall has also been recorded in ....

A three man team has conquered the three highest peaks in the UK in memory of a friend and husband who died of cancer, reports the Southport Visitor.Paul Peloe climbed Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike and Snowden to raise money for the Mal Hutton Campaign for Head and Neck Cancer Education. He was joined by Mal's wife Lynne and nephew Adam Pemberton.At 1,344m Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK and the wind can reach 20 to 30 knots at the summit. Paul told the newspaper: "I knew Mal for ov....

It would seem that England's lack of snow doesn't stop us from strapping on our skis and potentially producing a future world class skier.Indeed Britain's next sporting champion might come in the form of downhill skier Emma Peters, reports the Sunderland Evening Chronicle.The 12-year-old has already won the All England Championship title and competes in events across Britain and Europe. She has also placed in the British Dry Slope Ski Championships and the European Indoor Snow Championships.Her ....

A British man has achieved the incredible by walking Africa's Skeleton coast carrying his own equipment, reports the Westmorland Gazette.David Newell was part of a 14-strong-team who became the first to take on the journey carrying their own packs.The 300km wide coastal desert is one of the most inhospitable landscapes on earth. The hostile weather and fogs have led to the area being known as the world's largest ship grave year because of the amount of voyages which were wrecked there.He told th....

Those heading off on activity holidays should ensure they remember their travel insurance, it has been stressed.According to the Post Office, vacationers will want to remember their travel cover alongside their waterproofs and walking boots, in order to ensure peace of mind while they are away.The group added that 33 per cent of UK travellers take holidays that are devoted to a special interest or activity, with sailing and skiing proving particularly popular.In addition, the group went on to re....

Nepal, Egypt and Lebanon offer those in search of adventure holidays the chance to enjoy walking tripsoff the beaten track, it has been claimed.According to Imaginative Traveller, as vacationers become more widely-travelled, they are going in search of more authentic experiences that cannot be found in guide books.The group has highlighted new destinations in which trekkers can try out their walking boots in a soon-to-be published travel guide, including Burkina Faso, Columbia and Corsica as wel....

Taking a skiing holiday can be a good way to shed the pounds after a decadent Christmas, reports the Guardian.Dietician Lucy Porter told the newspaper that taking part in winter activities in a ski resort can kick start the new year's weight loss, providing you can still fit into your salopettes.The article recommends that holidaymakers "spend at least a few hours on the slopes rather than in the bars, and try some of the intense activities such as cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing"....

North-east England has been billed as a top destination for those looking for walking and adventure in the great outdoors this winter.According to the area's tourist board: "With its thrilling landscapes and passionate history, the north-east offers something for everyone wanting to re-discover action and adventure closer to home."It recommends wrapping up warm in your walking jacket and boots and enjoying the "atmospheric beauty of the region". In particular the area of outs....

A major new safety campaign for skiers is being launched next month at resorts in France, Switzerland and Italy.The Foreign Office wants to highlight the dangers of skiing under the influence of alcohol and has joined up with local organisations in the three countries. It is hoped that by raising awareness more accidents can be avoided.Even when not under the influence of alcohol there are a number of safety measures which can be undertaken to minimise the risk of injury. It is recommended that ....

The women's Commonwealth ski expedition has set off from their base in Antarctica for a 40 day trek to the South Pole.Their trek marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth and the eight women on the trip are aiming to reach the South Pole on January 1st 2010, 50 years to the day that the Commonwealth was formed. As with any cold weather activity, having the right kit is extremely important and each skier is towing a pack weighing 175 pounds (80kg) of food and gear. The 500 mile journey will ....

Walking 50 marathons by your 50th birthday requires a lot of training and a good pair of walking boots for most, but for Dave Hall it requires more than that.The Malvern Gazette reports that Dave was diagnosed with the heart condition Dilated Cardiomyopathy 17 months ago. The condition means his heart is too weak to pump blood around his body properly and he is on constant medication. Dave now hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation by walking 1,311 miles before Novem....

Walkers are being urged to wrap up warm in their waterproof jackets and walking socks this winter and join the Ramblers Association for the Festival of Winter Walks.Groups from all over the country will be heading out between December 26th and January 3rd on free walks which are suitable for the whole family. It is hoped that the hikes, which are led by experienced ramblers, will show Britain at its "wintery best".The first event is being held on boxing day when hundreds will be strapp....

When the marine and coastal access bill was given Royal Assent last week, for the first time people were given the right to access any part of the coast.There has never been a better time to dig out your walking boots as more than 11,000 miles of paths, beaches and craggy cliffs have been officially opened to the public.And there are more than just scenic views to be had. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "Half of England's wildlife and habitats are found under the waters around our s....

Wiltshire is a great location for peaceful walking holidays in stunning surroundings, according to one travel reporter.Writing for the Telegraph, Annabel Venning pointed out that the region is sparsely populated but in a great location - not far from the Home Counties.She went on to say that the county is perfect for history buffs to try out their walking boots and waterproof jackets as it is home to Stonehenge, a number of Iron Age forts and the prehistoric remains of Avebury.Ms Venning continu....

More British skiers are planning to don their thermals and salopettes in Eastern Europe as they bid to make their money go further, it has been revealed.Research carried out by Travel search site Skyscanner indicates there has been a 154 per cent rise in enquiries for destinations including Krakow in Poland, Sofia in Bulgaria, Bratislava in Slovakia and Ljubljana in Slovenia.Sam Baldwin, Skyscanner travel editor and ski expert, commented that the view that Eastern European destinations offer a l....

Londoners will have more reason to put on their walking boots thanks to a new scheme by mayor Boris Johnson to create more green space in the capital.He plans to invest more than £220 million over the next three years to create a number of public oases in the city.The initiative will be divided into two parts - improving London's streets and its public parks - and will aim to make the most of the Thames' riverbanks.Mr Johnson commented that investment in public land is vital as more than ha....

Those donning their salopettes and heading off on skiing holidays this year are likely to get more for their money, it has been asserted.According to travel reporter Kelli Grant, general reluctance to travel brought about by the difficult economic situation has led to more deals as the ski holiday industry scrambles to attract guests.Writing for Smartmoney.com, she said: "Few ski vacations can be called cheap, but travelers looking to book reservations at winter resorts this year should exp....