Walking. It’s just so good for you! Research reveals that walking keeps you young, both physically and mentally. It’s a highly accessible form of cardiovascular exercise and helps to tone your whole body, especially your legs and bum. Walking is also an ideal mood booster and even just 20 minutes of walking outdoors each day can help to fight mild depression.

Walking is also a great way to socialise with friends and family. Walking can take you off the beaten track – and to places you’ve never seen before. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, and – did I say this already? – it’s a geat way to lose weight and stay in shape.

I can vouch for pretty much all of the above, expect perhaps to confess that despite lots of walking I still can’t remember every single little thing that everyone in my family tells me!

In fact, I’m struggling to think of a disadvantage to walking. Except, perhaps, that too much walking will prevent you from working or catching up on the housework!

So it’s always with great delight that I hear about a new walking event or challenge. If you are planing to take up a new activity or want to become fitter, it’s a good idea to find yourself a realistic goal. New joggers might sign up for a 5k or a 10k race. Cyclists could aim for a 40 or 50 mile event.

My top summer suggestion for walkers in 2011 is the new Perthshire Trek 2011, being organised by the charity, Breakthrough Cancer Scotland. Most walkers of vague fitness or better can train towards taking part in this event, which takes place over 16 miles of the gloriously gorgeous Cateran Trail on the weekend of September 9/10. That gives everyone four months to get into shape and break in their feet and walking boots.

The details: The Breakthrough Cancer Perthshire trek – September 9 and 10 –  follows in the footsteps of historic cattle rustlers on the undiscovered Cateran Trail. Take on the challenge of walking 16 miles through a variety of river paths, open moorland and remote hills. Help to raise valuable funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Go on, you know you want to. Why not sign up with a friend or a group of friends and family? I’m looking for guest bloggers to tel me about their training for this event so if you’re planning to participate, please send me a comment or email me.