Inspiration to Get Active Outdoors
A curated collection of guides packed with tips, inspiration, and easy ways to add more steps to your day
Welcome to the dedicated inspiration page for Slow-SPEED UK – an upcoming study, led by Queen Mary University London exploring how enjoyable, everyday outdoor activity can support long-term health and wellbeing. The project will use digital tools to help participants gradually build sustainable activity habits, with a focus on feeling motivated, supported, and confident being active outdoors.
Get motivated to get outdoors more often
A little fresh air goes a long way. Daily outdoor movement, even in small amounts, can boost your mood, improve your wellbeing, and help you feel more connected to the world around you. Here, you’ll find a curated collection of guides packed with tips, inspiration, and easy ways to add more steps to your day. Dip in whenever you need ideas or encouragement, OS Maps is here to help you keep moving.
Hippocrates
“Walking is man’s best medicine”
…and we now know that walking is one of the best forms of exercise, strengthening bones, improving heart health, boosting energy levels, and lifting your mood.
How OS Maps Will Help You Get Outside More
Having OS Maps on your phone makes it easier, safer, and more inspiring to get out for a walk, whether it’s a quick loop from your doorstep or a brand‑new route to explore. With powerful planning tools, offline maps, and thousands of ready‑made walks at your fingertips, the app removes the barriers to getting outside and helps you feel confident every time you step out of your front door.
Finding a route
How to search millions of routes in OS Maps
Creating a route
How to plan your own route in OS Maps
Resources to motivate you to walk further and explore new routes.
Get a dose of inspiration
Need a little boost? Explore stories, tips and inspiring ideas designed to spark motivation and remind you just how good it feels to spend time outdoors.
Explore UK route reviews
Explore our expanding library of walking routes and uncover new paths, new views, and new reasons to get outside and get more active every day.
You’re never too old to reap the benefits!
Don’t let your age stop you trying new things..
Do you have to do 10,000 steps a day?
We looked into the benefits of ‘Japanese Walking’
Find your tribe – joining a group could be just the motivation you need
Joining a group can be daunting but you’ll be surprised just how many groups in your area are happy to welcome new members at any level.
Why you should join a group
Groups are a great way to stay motivated and find new like-minded people to get active with.
It takes just 21 days to form a habit
We share a real story about how in just 21 days you can create a positive habit.
Clubs and Organisations
Find your tribe with these outdoor activity organisations.
- Ramblers – the national walking and advocacy group
- Sustrans – run the National Cycle Network
- Paddle UK – formerly British Canoeing
- Cycling UK – on and off-road cycling
- England Athletics – running clubs
- Parkrun – shorter runs in parks, open to all
- British Mountaineering Council – hiking and climbing
Outdoor Events
Some of the bigger outdoor events.
- Isle of Wight Walking Festival
- Crickhowell Walking Festival, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
- Ride London
- Great North Run, Newcastle
- ArdRock Mountain Biking, North Yorkshire
- Keswick Mountain Festival, Lake District
- National Outdoor Expo, Birmingham
Places to Go
Finding inspiration for your next adventure
National Parks
Britain’s protected landscapes.
Adventures
Be inspired with adventure guides
Long Distance Walks
National Trails and Great Trails include breathtaking long-distance paths.
Challenges
Learn about popular 24-hour challenge routes, like The Three Peaks
Interested in more than walking?
Learn new skills or take up a new hobby with our collection of Beginner’s Guides to all kinds of outdoor activities, all written by experts you can trust.
Safety
Your guide to staying safe outdoors
Weather Safety
Check the weather so you can plan.
Safety Organisations
- Mountain Rescue
Volunteer teams aiding hikers on peaks across the England & Wales - Scottish Mountain Rescue
Mountain rescue with 26 teams across Scotland - Lowland Rescue
Volunteer teams assisting in popular lowland areas
RNLI
Emergency service for sea and coast
Advice from Mountain Rescue
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.
Hill walking safety for beginners
OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson spends a day with the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team for some pointers on hill walking safety for beginners.
Walking in Snow
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.
Planning a trip
How to plan for a day out or a longer break
OS Maps: Route Planning
How to get started using OS Maps to research areas, find routes, plan trips, find places of interest and print maps.
Guidebooks
From short walk to epic trails, guidebooks are a great way to plan a day trip or longer holiday.
Gear and Clothing
Get kitted up with outdoor gear advice and reviews
Wet weather gear guide
Don’t get caught out by the rain, be prepared for your next walk with this wet weather gear guide.
What to wear walking
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
Hiking Poles Guide – Everything you need to know about choosing the right walking poles!
Hiking Poles – a complete guide to hiking poles including a look at all the main features and how to use hiking poles when walking
Join a Women Only Adventure Group
Are you looking to build your confidence in the outdoors but worried you don’t have the right skills, or anyone to come with you? We’ve created a list of lots of the UK’s best Women Only Hiking & Adventure Groups that provide the perfect starting point. These groups offer safe and friendly environments with like minded women of all skill levels looking for outdoor adventures.
We recognise women have different needs when exploring outdoors
Women, especially from low income and diverse backgrounds face unnecessary barriers to getting out into nature and adventuring outside. We’re tackling that, with expert advice, inspirational stories and practical tips.
Build your confidence with our outdoor knowledge hub
Learning to read a map (paper or on your phone) is a fundemental skill if you want to explore safely and confidently outdoors. In our outdoor training hub we have lots of practical advice and tutorials for building your confidence outside.