The ultimate outdoor activity – you can walk almost anywhere at any time, discover new places and keep fit.
Are you full of excuses when it comes to getting outside in winter? Read our list of top winter exercising tips to keep safe and get energised this winter
Lisa explores a beautiful waterfall route in North Wales while reviewing the new Suunto Race S GPS watch.
Holme Chapel Loop: OS Champion Beth Craigen teamed up with Aspire 2 Inspire Communities for some essential navigation practice so they can help even more people to get outside.
With cold weather expected to hit Britain over the next few days, here's a quick guide to walking in snow from hiker, snowboarder and OS GetOutside Champion Jonathan Elder.
Felicity Martin, the author of Outstanding Walks in Scotland shares her hiking and photography tips and tells us about her new quieter life
This guide explores top stargazing spots, and how to find them with OS Maps, where the beauty of the night sky becomes the highlight
Our intrepid OS Champions review the NEW Smini Headtorch and Smini Fly Headtorch - take a look at their in depth reviews
First time user of a GPS watch Molly Veitch reviews this popular new performance watch on her latest hike up Coniston Old Man
UK Horror Film Locations: With Halloween around the corner, why not explore some routes passing real-life locations from iconic horror films using Ordnance Survey’s OS Maps?
Conwy Circular Routes - Along this stretch of the Wales Coast Path, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the smallest church in Wales, marvel at the World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle.
Denbighshire Circular Routes from the Wales Coast Path. Denbighshire may be the shortest section of the path but these circulars are packed with interest
Glyndŵr’s Way is a 135-mile (217 km) long National Trail that meanders through the stunning landscapes of mid-Wales. From historic towns and open moorland to rolling farmland and enchanting woodlands, this trail is perfect for all nature lovers.
Rail2Trail: Offa's Dyke Circular Walking Routes Accessible by Rail - we have a collection of 7 great short circular walks from Chepstow to Prestatyn!
The Best Walking Route Planner and Guide to planning your own walking route Jonathan from the OS Team outlines how you can get started and find new walking routes with the help of a walking route planner.
Malham Circular Walk - OS Champion Megan Rose has a day in the Yorkshire Dales testing out her brand new Suunto Race S GPS Watch
Upcycling Old Maps: Watch Lou Collins transform an old Ordnance Survey Map into a stylish personalised bag, ideal as a gift for a loved one
Isle of Wight coastal walks. We share the route for the 70 mile coastal walk around the Isle of Wight and some great short Isle of Wight Walks
The YHA showcase 10 of the best self-guided walks from YHA Hostels, perfect for holidays in the UK. Each circular walk makes a great day out.
Yorkshire's best sunrise views and dawn adventures, recommended by Ordnance Survey and Taylors of Harrogate.
Hiking Poles - a complete guide to hiking poles including a look at all the main features and how to use hiking poles when walking
There's a fine line between having the right equipment to keep you safe and comfortable on a walk and being so weighed down with unnecessary kit you'll struggle. Our hiking checklist will help you get kitted out with essential gear for a long day on the trail and tell you what to take on a walk.
Walking Around Glastonbury Festival - Top tips from our team on navigating your way around Glasto!
How can festivals be more sustainable? Take a look at 5 festivals that are taking sustainability seriously
Mountain Safety: Ordnance Survey, Mountain Rescue England and Wales and the Met Office join forces to offer some great advice on summer safety in the mountains.
Explore enchanting literary walks in Britain, from the Brontë Sisters' Haworth in West Yorkshire to J.K. Rowling's Edinburgh. Hear the stories behind Britain’s favourite books and authors and recommended routes combining literature with breath-taking landscapes.
Unlock the secrets of Ben Nevis with our comprehensive guide to the best walking routes to the top. Discover breathtaking paths, where to park, and essential information about facilities, terrain and difficulty.
Christmas and New Year offer so many reasons to put on your walking boots and head out into the great outdoors. Whether it’s to breathe in the refreshing winter air or to walk off your Christmas dinner, there’s nothing like a festive stroll. To help you find one near you, here are some of our most popular.
There’s nothing better than incorporating a stop at a nearby pub when out on a walk with friends and family. Reward yourself with a refreshing drink or warm up in front of the fire. Here are 10 of the best pub walks across Great Britain.
As we get into autumn the clothing and equipment you need for walking and hiking changes too. Here's a guide handy guide on autumn walking gear
The 13 Valleys Ultra takes in an unmissable route spanning all 13 valleys of the Lake District National Park. Discover this challenging route which can be enjoyed all year round or in smaller sections for a leisurely walk.
The Met Office team share their favourite walking and running routes across the UK and tells us how they differ across the seasons. Find walks for different weather conditions from the weather experts.
Discover Ramblers Wellbeing Walks; over 50,000 walks taking place all over the country to help improve the nations health and happiness. Here are some of the best Wellbeing Walks for you to join or try in your own time.
Learn how the Ramblers is kickstarting young people’s journeys into the outdoors with their Out There Award and find out how to get involved.
The Ramsay Round is an iconic Scottish sub-24-hour mountain challenge, but it can also be enjoyed in sections at a more leisurely pace. We take a look at the route in more detail and speak to Sabrina Pace Humphreys, Co-founder and Trustee of Black Trail Runners. Sabrina tells us about her experience of the route and why she’s on her own mission to highlight that the outdoors is for everyone.
Discover Britain’s 10 best circular walks for a great day out. Featured in the OS Pathfinder Guides, each walk provides key information like where to park, where to eat and what to see on route.
Our friends at the Ramblers share their favourite walks from The Ramblers Handbook. With routes for every season, these leisurely day walks will guide you around Britain through picturesque locations to soak up stunning scenery as you go.
The Ridgeway National Trail is a historic footpath that stretches for 87 miles (139km) across southern England, from the World Heritage Site of Avebury in Wiltshire to the ancient hill fort of Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. Discover our favourite historic spots along the route, plus key information to help you walk it.
The Beacons Way is a 100-mile-long distance footpath, that transverses through the centre of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. OS Champion Tracy Purnell takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the top spots along the way.
Discover Britain’s 10 best short walks for a great day out. Featured in the OS Short Walks Made Easy guidebooks, each walk provides key information like where to park, where to eat and what to see on route.
The OS Pathfinder Guides and OS Short Walks Made Easy series capture some of the best walking routes across Great Britain and include a range of useful information to make it easier to plan your walks. We take a look at these two guidebooks in more detail to help you decide which one is best for you.
OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson spends a day with the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team for some pointers on hill walking safety for beginners.
There are many routes to the top of Snowdon (in Welsh 'Yr Wyddfa') with some big paths that can get crowded and some lesser-trodden trails. Here's all you need to know about the routes up Snowdon.
Mountain Rescue England and Wales share their expert advice to help you stay safe outdoors. Find out how to plan ahead, stay safe on the hills and how to call Mountain Rescue in an emergency.
From family-friendly forest parks to less-trodden ancient woodlands, here are the best woodland walks in the UK which are not to be missed.
The Bob Graham Round is an iconic sub-24-hour fell challenge which traverses much of the Lake District. OS Champion Alex Staniforth shares his experience of the Round and why this epic Lakeland route makes such a memorable run or walk.
The South West Coast Path stretches from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Surging around the south coast, England’s longest National Trail is an awesome place in which to GetOutside. Here are 10 great spots to visit.
There’s nothing more exciting than heading out the door on an adventure, especially walking a long-distance path. Here's everything you need to know to walk one of Britain's National or Regional trails or, plan your own multi-day route.
Autumn in the Lake District is a feast for the eyes. An array of reds, yellows and oranges span the horizon and cover the ground. Here are some of the best autumn walks to be enjoyed in the Lake District this season.
The Northumberland Coast Path offers some stunning coastal walking. The 62-mile (100km) waymarked route is the best way to experience this beautiful, varied landscape. Broken down into stages, here’s everything you need to know in order to walk the path.
The Ten Tors Challenge is an annual challenge organised by the British Army for young people to navigate the wilds of Dartmoor. It's a multi-day adventure that tests stamina, navigation and mental toughness - for both the participants and the volunteer. We speak to OS Champion Fi Darby about her experience.
The Cambrian Way is a 298-mile walk from south to north Wales (Cardiff and Conwy), coast to coast, through incredible upland and mountain scenery. Tackle it in one go or break it down into sections, find out all you need to know about walking the Cambrian Way in this comprehensive guide.
The Northern Highlands of Scotland are home to the most remote and dramatic landscapes in Britain and there is one epic route which encapsulates it all, the North Coast 500 (NC500). Popular with both drivers and cycle tourists, we break this iconic journey up into sections and share our 10 best NC500 walks along the route for you to enjoy.
What could be better than walking to your favourite wild swimming spot, taking a refreshing dip and drying off on your walk back. This new fitness craze will see you exploring new places while staying fit and healthy throughout the summer. Here are some of our favourite wild swim walks.
By walking or cycling instead, you'll see a positive impact on your health and happiness, the environment and your wallet. Find out how you can swap shorter car journeys for active travel and make a real difference.
Our friends at Lifesystems share expert advice on how to stay safe in the outdoors. Here is everything you need to know about safety when walking in the outdoors and how you can better prepare yourself for your next adventure.
We asked our friends at Access TOG and Access The Dales to share their favourite stile-free walks. Whether you're a wheelchair user, a family with a buggy or recovering from an injury, these accessible routes make it easier to enjoy the great outdoors. Here are the best stile-free walks in Britain.
For whatever reason, we have got into the habit of driving our kids to school, even if it is only half a mile away. OS Champion Glyn Dodwell gives us 10 great reasons why we should walk them to school instead. Celebrate Walk to School Week and challenge yourself to leave the car at home.
Squeezing a short walk into our busy lives can seem like an impossible task but with a little planning, it’s more than doable. Here are five tips to help you incorporate a peaceful stroll into your day plus our favourite short walks in Hampshire for you to enjoy too.
Having explored over 600 islands in Britain, Lisa Drewe shares some of her top family-friendly island adventures in Britain, plus recommended walking routes. Whether you are a hiker, sand-castle maker, beach lover, wildlife watcher or just have a curious mind, these family-friendly adventures will help make a great tip.
Do you know your Munros from your Corbetts? The Adventure Patch Company tell us about hill bagging and explain some of the better and lesser known hills and mountain classifications in the UK and Ireland.
OS Maps users have been busy over the last six months, following thousands of routes and saving their favourites. To help inspire your next adventure, we’re sharing the top 10 most popular walking route. All these routes are Trusted Routes, so they’ve been tried and tested by our partner experts up and down the nation, guaranteeing a great walk.
Walking your dog on the same path each day can get boring, so why not mix things up and plot new routes to enjoy with your four-legged friend. We’ve found some of the best places to walk your dog and picked 10 best dog-friendly routes, tried and tested by our OS Champions and their canine companions.
OS Champion Alex Middleton shows us how accessible outdoor spaces are from London. Here's 8 of his favourite spots for hiking near London which are all within 90 minutes from the capital city. All these routes make a great spring walk.
There’s no denying that spring is one of the best times to get out and about. Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are one of the most iconic spring flowers and you can usually find them in April and May. We’ve rounded up some of the best short bluebell walks across Britain where you’re guaranteed to find these beautiful lilac flowers.
If you want to walk your dog in London and feel like your options are limited due to it being a huge city, you couldn’t be more wrong! We take a look at some of the best parks for dog walking in London and where they are on the map.
Hills make a great place to walk. You'll benefit from an excellent workout and when you reach the top, will be rewarded with some great views. Here are our top urban hills that are worth the climb. Find hills near you.
It's that time of year when many of your favourite paths can turn into a quagmire. Here are some on how to deal with walking in mud and how to plan a walking route that may avoid it.
Whether you're madly in love or a happy singleton, you can plan a romantic walk with a beloved partner, family or four-legged friend at any time of year - a must on Valentine's Day! Discover the best romantic walks across Great Britain and find one near you near you.
Lucy Atkins of Two Blondes Walking is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager at Trinity School, Teignmouth and explains why doing your DofE is a great idea and what it involves.
Ordnance Survey's guide to the Thames Path, one of Britain's National Trails running for 184 miles along the banks of the River Thames. Discover everything you need to know about the Thames Path including maps and information on the Thames Path extension.
Take on the challenge of walking 1000 miles this year. Find out how to get started, discover new walks and record your progress with OS Maps. We also share our top tips to help you stay motivated throughout the year.
You can wear almost anything out walking but having the correct clothes and shoes will keep you comfortable, warm and dry. Here's a checklist of essential hiking clothes to answer that all important question
If there’s one thing Britain excels in, it’s long-distance walks. We’ve taken some of the best lesser-known routes from the book, Epic British Walks, to help you plan the hike of your dreams. Find route information and suggestions for day trips.
There is nowhere like the Cairngorms National Park. It's the UK’s largest with its ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, famous mountains and hidden hills. There are plenty of fantastic walks for you to discover. Here are five of the best.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has a staggering 41 mountains over 2000 ft to climb. Kate Hopper gives us 10 of her favourite hill walks in the area.
Waterfalls are a great place to visit for a leisurely stroll and we're lucky enough to have many across Great Britain. Find waterfall walks near you including details of each route. Our OS GeOutside Champions share with us 10 of their favourites.
We take a look at Britain's secret summits where you can escape the crowds and enjoy some of the best hill walks around. Our friends at Keela recommend their favourite routes to help you reach the top.
When it's damp and dreary outside there's still so much fun to be had! Here are 7 top tips for enjoying the outdoors when the weather's not playing ball. Pull on your wellies, put on your waterproofs and get outside in the rain!
Author and OS GetOutside Champion Lisa Drewe shares her 10 best British islands to walk around, taken from her book Islandeering.
Author and outdoor guide, Geoff Allan shares his 10 best adventures from his book Scottish Bothy Walks.
OS GetOutside Champion Sean Conway runs a marathon in all 15 National Parks to highlight how incredible Great Britain is. We caught up with him to find out more about his challenge and discover what makes each National Park so special.
We’ve teamed up with the national charity Sense to support their work on a programme of sensory walks. Find out how you can better connect with nature and get the most from your next walk.
Nutrition in the great outdoors: What do you need to know? Bought to you by GetOutside Champion Ben Turner - an MNU certified evidence-based nutritionist, level 4 Personal Trainer and avid adventure enthusiast.
GetOutside Champion Dave Wilson is as passionate about the outdoors as he is about his native Northumberland. From exploring the valleys of the Cheviot Hills, to hiking Hadrian’s Wall, his enthusiasm for England’s Border County is endless. Check out his new guidebook ‘Day Walks in Northumberland’.
Did you know, we show over 220,000 km of public rights of way on our maps? Approximately 170,000 km of these are footpaths and 40,000 km are bridleways. Over 4,600 km are National Trails and 30,900 km are recreational routes!
Cities can often be unexpected treasure-troves of nature. Chris Platt explores London to discover where nature has taken up residence, and where you can reconnect with the wild.
GetOutside Champions Jen & Sim Benson are massive advocates of an outdoor family lifestyle in the Great British outdoors. Their fantastic new book '100 Great Walks with Kids' is packed with woodland adventures, tasty treks, trails through time, mini mountains and wildlife wanders for the whole family to enjoy!
GetOutside Champion Suzanne lives on the edge of the Peak District and has been hiking with her five- and one-year-old boys since they were babies. Here are her 8 top tips for getting outside with a baby.
The vast majority of us in Great Britain live in urban areas. Our cities have such an eclectic mix of people, cultures, skylines and history to enjoy. So, take a wander around the streets or your local park, find some new street art, and uncover the hidden histories that make up the cities we call home. Here's our selection of 10 of the best city walks.
Cornwall and Devon form the far south-west part of Britain and are a haven for locals and holidaymakers alike. Dramatic coastline plus wild moorlands, hills and valleys make it the perfect place to explore on foot or by bike.
During wetter months there may be a fair bit of mud on the trails, which can turn a leisurely stroll into a slippery mud bath. Some routes do remain relatively mess-free - you just have to know where to go! Our OS GetOutside Champions share their tried and tested walks to keep your feet dry.
Despite a reputation for rainy weather and small mountains, the UK is an excellent place for hill walking. It has many National Parks and protected areas where nature is preserved and worth a visit. So here's 10 of the best UK hill walks for beginners to take in the beautiful landscapes.
Give yourself an authentic fright night experience with these walks around the spookiest places in the UK!
If you prefer traffic-free cycling routes, need a footpath that's stile-free so you can walk with a pram or are looking for a route suitable for a wheelchair, former railway lines can be the ideal solution.
We spoke to our OS GetOutside Champions about their favourite places in Britain to watch sunset. It was hard to choose a favourite so here’s ten of the best sunset views with details on how to get there.
Long distance walking is more popular than ever in the UK. OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson heads out on a two day hike to explore some of our amazing countryside.
In any discussion of routes, navigation or GPS devices, you have probably seen people mentioning ‘GPX files’. GPX is shorthand for GPS eXchange Format and is a type of file that’s really helpful to anyone who loves the outdoors, plus it's the most popular way of saving and exchanging routes.
John is registered blind. Along with his sight guide Lauren, they are on a mission show the world that blind or disabled people can do great stuff outside too.
Debbie North, from Access The Outdoor Guide, uses a variety of off-road mobility wheelchairs to access the countryside and wants to inspire other less-mobile users to do the same through accessible wheel-friendly walks. Here are five of her favourites.
The long days of summer are the perfect time to get outside and explore some of the finest ridge walks that Scotland has to offer. Here #GetOutside Champion Cat Webster picks her top five classic days out to savour in the sun.
Explore the Howgill Fells with #GetOutside Champion James Forrest
Dovedale is a honey pot for the Peak District and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This 10km circular walk gives you all the pleasures of upper Dovedale, starting and ending in the charming Peak District village of Hartington but without the crowds of Dovedale.
GetOutside champion Hilary Tomlinson guides you from Hawksmoor to Dimmingdale in this easy circular walk.
One of David Wilson's favourite challenges is walking The Yorkshire Three Peaks. He shares the basics with us of what you can expect on this epic 25 mile walking challenge taking in the summits of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.
Tracy Purnell is a lover of our canine friends and her gorgeous dogs go everywhere exploring with her. Here she takes us through a few things to consider when taking your dogs to the countryside.
Hadrian’s Wall Path showcases 84 miles of UNESCO World Heritage site, two historic cities, a National Park, a picturesque coast and countryside, and of course a BIG wall! OS GetOutside Champion David Wilson gives us the highlights of this beautiful trail.
Follow the Two Blondes as they explore the dramatic countryside around the Two Moors way and Bowerman's nose in Dartmoor - while being followed by a film crew for ITVs Britain's Favourite Walks
The South West Coast Path draws many an excited hiker to western shores. But you don’t have to embark on the full 630-mile trail to revel in its glory. Devon-based OS GetOutside Champion Belinda Dixon outlines three of her favourite SWCP day trails.
It’s no secret that the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places in England with some epic walks to boot. Walker and cyclist Jamie Knop has listed eight of the most epic Lake District walks you need to tick off your bucket list.
Although being so accessible, Scotland still provides a feeling of remoteness and wilderness within a matter of an hours walk. Co-author of the new Wild Guide Scotland, Richard Gaston, shares his top 5 Scottish short hikes
The Lake District National Park is the largest National Park in Britain. Famed throughout the world for its stunning landscapes, sprawling fells and beautiful waterways, it has inspired poets, writers and artists alike for almost three centuries.
Stretching for 267 miles and following the backbone of England, the Pennine Way is not just an arduous long distance walk that attracts crazy fell runners and determine hikers – it also links some of England's most amazing landscapes and fantastic features. So even if you don’t want to walk the whole route is worth hunting out these gems.
Hidden in some of the wildest corners of Britain – from the rugged west coast of Scotland to the deep hinterland of the Highlands, in between the folds of the Lake District fells and tucked into the trees of the Welsh forests – abandoned buildings – known as bothies – lie in wait. Maintained by volunteers and looked after by a charity known as the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA, they are completely free to use by anyone...
Follow the Meek family as they walk Hadrian's Way, a national trail that stretches from the east coast to the west and follows the route of the northern extent of the Roman empire.
The Dark Peak is home to some of the most iconic views in the Peak District. Discover 3 of the best, and follow the routes when you're out.
Six easy circular walks to follow if you are visiting the South Downs. All easy to reach by bus or train if you fancy leaving the car behind.
Walking the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the toughest (and also most spectacular) long distance walks in the Scottish Highlands.
Explore the White Rose Way from Leeds to Scarborough - this new easy long-distance walking route is ideal for beginners
Planning a visit to the North York Moors? Try one of these fantastic walks around the stunning countryside. With various lengths and difficulties, there's something for everyone.
Discover some of the Britain's best dog-friendly pub walks - complete with routes!
This installment of our 'All about the...' series takes you over the Yorkshire Wold Way national trail.
Guide to help you challenge yourself by hiking up Scafell Pike in the Lake District, England.
Discover more Offa's Dyke, one of Wales' National Trails including where to stay and a route.
Nordic Walking is a fast growing pasttime activity in Britain. Discover more with this beginner's guide.
Discover some of the most picturesque views in England with the South West Coast Path.
Get started with orienteering. Blog by John Warren of Wimborne Orienteers,
Transform a boring winter walk into a fun-filled mini-adventure with these family-friendly activities to make every walk a lot of fun! Here are 11 ways to spruce up your New Years Day walk.
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