We have long spoken about the benefits of walking, from supporting our heart to boosting our mental health, but did you know that doing it in nature can actually amplify the health benefits? Studies show that walking in a forest, rather than an urban environment, significantly lowers the sympathetic (aka ‘fight-or-flight’) nervous activity in women, meaning that the benefits of our walking are multiplied.

Not just that, but after a long winter, we’ll take any opportunity to soak up some all-important vitamin D we can get. Vitamin D3 in particular plays an important part in maintaining our bone strength, our sense of wellbeing and the treatment and prevention of many health problems.

The great news is that we have so many fantastic hiking options right here on our doorstep. The UK is filled with seaside, hills, valleys and mountains that are perfect for strolling, climbing or rambling, and many aren’t far from your usual city routes. That ought to make the long wait to go on holiday feel less hard, right?

Walking: 6 of the best hikes in the UK to reap the benefits of power walking