Walking is probably the most accessible outdoor activity that you can do! It is easy, safe and inexpensive.

Northern Ireland offers hundreds of great walks in the countryside and urban areas. There is an excellent website dedicated to walking in Northern Ireland: www.walkni.com. It gives up to date and accurate information on walks for the serious rambler and for those who want to take a short stroll.

Walking is an activity that you can start right away! Some people chose to walk by themself but lots of people chose to join a rambling club or health group. A list of clubs and organisations in Northern Ireland is included in "Outdoor Organisations". The clubs are always keen to have new members, so a warm welcome is guaranteed. Check what type of walks (difficulty; gradients; distance) the club normally organises to make sure it meets the type of walk you want to do.

You can start today from your front door! Our towns and cities are full of parks which are a pleasure to walk in. Ifyou travel to work or take your children to school, try walking part of the journey.

But nothing beats going into the countryside. Check out www.walkni.com for a whole host of walks in the countryside - everything from short walks to more challenging walks. The website also gives infomation on how to get to the walk on Translink's rambler bus service.

As with all activities there is no shortage of walking gear that is available to purchase from outdoor shops. However, for "easy" walking a comfortable pair of trainers and a waterproof jacket are the only investment needed.

For mountain walking it would be advisable to invest in a range of outdoor gear and equipment primarily for safety reasons. Check out www.walkni.com for a comprehensive list of everything you will need for a mountain or long distance walk.