Latest news with #walking
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Walking This Many Steps Per Day Can Cut Your Risk Of Early Death
You don't necessarily need to get 10,000 steps each day to see health benefits, according to research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The meta-analysis, which analyzed data from 17 studies and 226,889 people, underscores the importance of walking any amount — even if it seems small. The authors found that walking 3,967 steps or more each day reduced the risk of death from any cause. Walking 2,337 or more steps each day lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, which includes both heart disease and stroke. Researchers also discovered that walking 1,000 more steps each day saw a 15% lower risk of all-cause mortality and that increasing walks by 500 steps each day brought a 7% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. All of this is a welcome piece of news as most people struggle to hit that 10,000-step goal. 'The problem has been that the recommended 10,000 steps per day and the definition of physical inactivity of less than 5,000 steps per day has been really difficult for most patients to achieve ... it almost leads to a sense of fatalism that many members of the public feel that they can't reach these recommendations,' said Dr. Keith Ferdinand, the chair of preventative cardiology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. The research 'does not mean that the 10,000 steps per day recommendation is wrong, it just gives the public some confidence that moderate activity is better than none,' said Ferdinand, who was not affiliated with the study. In fact, the more you walk, the better your well-being. The research found that people who walked more steps had the lowest risk of premature mortality. Specifically, those who walked 20,000 steps or more each day. 'If you can't achieve 10,000 steps per day, don't despair. Some activity is better than none. But then, on the other hand, if you can safely achieve those 10,000 steps per day, you may even have greater benefit in terms of mortality,' Ferdinand added. 'The American Heart Association suggests 150 minutes of moderate activity, and it's not just getting those 10,000 steps. It could be things that we often don't think of as exercise,' Ferdinand said. This includes moderate housekeeping, gardening, walking with your kids and walking your dog, he said. 'It doesn't have to be a purposeful going to a gym or purposeful walking program, but being physically active for that 150 minutes ... appears to be healthy,' Ferdinand explained. But if you do want to go for a walk, he said consider going with a buddy for safety's sake and be sure to be mindful of the weather — it has been a hot summer throughout much of the country, which can be dangerous for walkers. You can try talking a walk inside of a shopping mall or around an unused basketball court at you local community center, he said. You can also consider walking up and down the stairs in your house, creating a loop to walk inside your home or visiting a grocery store for a stroll. Ferdinand said that after reading the study, his focus is on motivating people 60 and older to get out for a walk since one of the steepest benefits was seen when study participants got in 6,000 to 10,000 steps per day. Whatever you decide to do, it's clear that movement of any sort is valuable. 'More is better, but some is better than none,' Ferdinand noted. Though a lower-than-expected daily step count resulted in a benefit in terms of cardiovascular health and overall mortality risks, this does not mean you should cut yourself off once you hit that lower number. 'We want to make sure the lay public who gets this information from this meta-analysis doesn't get the unintended consequence of 'Well, I can just do 2,000 steps or 4,000 steps and call it a day.' If you can do more safely and in an environment which has some degree of comfort, then that is even better,' Ferdinand said. Looking for the best walking shoes? These comfy shoes keep older folks in mind with features like orthopedic support, roomy toe boxes and Velcro straps, and they're recommended by podiatrists. HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products below unless otherwise noted. Amazon Perkins recommended this Adidas option, which is made from recycled plastics and has supportive interior padding and great grip on the sole. It comes in men's sizes 4-17 and in multiple colors, including black, orange, black/purple, gray/mint and white. It has a sock-like fit and a "boosting" feature, a super responsive midsole that makes it easier to take steps. Promising review: "Extraordinarily comfortable shoe. I have flat feet, getting older with hip creaks here and there. My legs and joints feel great when wearing these shoes. Ultraboost is impressive stuff." — Amazon customer $49+ at Amazon Amazon This Dr. Comfort shoe checked off multiple boxes on Perkins' list of things to look for when buying a shoe for older adults, including its spacious toe box, lightweight design and Velcro strap. "The most common complaint I hear from my senior patients is that a shoe is too heavy for them to wear comfortably. Any no-tie, slip-on or Velcro design that allows easy on and easy off is also great for seniors who have a hard time bending over," she said. The adjustable strap closure allows you to get a more customized fit. The design also has a protective toe box that can help prevent pain from toe stubbing. It comes in white and pink and in women's sizes 4-12 with wide and extra-wide review: "I have problems with width in shoes. This fits better than expected. Comfortable in toe box and I even have a skip in my step thanks to the heel shock absorbing the bounce. Easy to put on with the velcro strap as the sole support to hold the shoe in place. Do not skip owning these shoes!" — snoopymaven $119.90 at Amazon Vionic Stamped with the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, this Vionic shoe is another recommendation from Perkins. It's breathable, has a podiatrist-designed footbed, cushioned outsole and a rubber outsole built for steady traction. It comes in several color options and is available in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-14. Promising review: "I received Vionic sneakers for Christmas. I wear a wide with in shoes and was skeptical that the shoes would fit well. I wore them for one day and noticed a marked decrease in my hip pain. I am thrilled with these shoes." — jrg Women's: $109.95 at Vionic Men's: $109.95 at Vionic Amazon Available in multiple colors, including blue, pink, maroon, gray and black, this walking shoe has a cushioned footbed and orthotic insole designed to help those with various foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis. It also has a roomy toe box for added comfort and bunion and hammertoe relief. "The slip-on design makes it perfect for seniors who have a hard time bending over to tie a shoe or for those with arthritis in the hands who find difficulty with tying laces," Perkins comes in women's sizes 5-12, with narrow, wide and extra-wide and extra-extra-wide review: "I bought these walking shoes for my sister's birthday. She just turned 69 years old last week and she called me today to say that she thought these shoes were the best shoes she had ever put on. She has bad feet and see's a podiatrist on a regular schedule. She said she can wear them all day and not feel any foot pain." — Tony A. $132.95 at Amazon Zappos Dr. Mireille Blanchette, a board-certified podiatrist based in New Jersey, recommended this lace-up Skechers sneaker because of its comfort and the fact that it's machine washable to help prevent bacteria buildup. "Elders can sometimes develop foot fungus because they might not always be able to clean well between the toes and that can create a great environment for fungus," she shoe is designed with a pull tab on the back to make it easier to put on and take off and is lined in breathable fabric to promote air circulation. It comes in multiple colors and in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-15, both with wide options available. Promising review: "Bought these shoes for my mom. She needed something with good support that was energizing and helped with footing and movement. These shoes did the job. Her footing, posture and movement have improved tremendously. I bought them for her because I own a pair and have excellent wear with them." — Mom Women's: $49.87+ at Zappos Men's: $59.96+ at Zappos Amazon Blanchette also recommended this Velcro strap Orthofeet shoe, which comes with an adjustable arch booster you can add to increase arch support and several layers of supreme cushioning for maximum comfort. The shoe is also made of a stretchy knit fabric that's made to conform to your foot shape for a more personalized fit. It comes in black and gray and in women's sizes 5-12, with wide, extra-wide and extra-extra-wide options available. Promising review: "This shoe was purchased with my 90 yr old Mother in mind. She wanted something light weight , but sturdy & supportive, easy to put on, equally so to take off. She just didn't want a pair of typical clunky tennis shoes. These have met her every expectation!" — GlitzyGiGi $124.95 at Amazon Zappos For a shoe that offers stability and supportive cushioning, look no further than this New Balance shoe recommended by Dr. Gary Evans, a podiatrist based in New York City. It has a breathable lining, durable rubber outsole and a footbed that provides proper cushioning and arch support. It comes in black, gray and navy and in women's sizes 5-13 and men's sizes 7-16. Promising review: "This is my 8th pair of 990's! Wife and I are "exercise walkers". We are now older and are x-triathletes. Aerobic paced walking of 3-7 miles per day is what we enjoy. My 990's are fantastic for preventing injuries and providing a comfortable walk." — No N Women's: $184.95 at Zappos Men's: $184.95 at Zappos Zappos This lace-up shoe is made of breathable mesh and has a removable Skechers Arch Fit insole. It comes recommended by Evans and even has a podiatrist-designed shape to give you the most comfortable fit for all-day wear. The Skechers Glide-Step feature helps to give you a natural momentum as you take each step. It comes in multiple colors and in women's sizes 5.5-11 and men's sizes review: "Absolutely the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I have diabetic neuropathy, and finding a comfortable shoe has been a ongoing quest. Sketchers has always been the most comfortable, but these "Glide Step" shoes are more comfortable than my bedroom slippers. What more can I say." — Anonymous Women's: $89.95+ at Amazon Men's: $44.94 at Zappos Amazon This classic, minimalist walking shoe recommended by Evans has all the features your feet need to stay comfy throughout the day, including a lightweight insole, rubber soles for good grip and a full-grain leather upper. It comes in white and black and in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-14, both with wide options available. Promising review: "I love these shoes. The support for the foot and ankle is extraordinary. My legs don't feel fatigued when I wear these shoes. My back and hips don't hurt either. I have rheumatoid arthritis, a repaired tendon in my knee and a small tear in an ankle (I know right...) but these shoes make me feel well supported when walking and comfortable. I highly recommend." — Aunie Women's: $75.25+ at Amazon Men's: $69.95+ at Amazon How Much You Need To Walk Every Day To Cut Your Risk Of Heart Disease New Study Reveals These 8 Habits Can Add 20-Plus Years To Your Life You're Probably Working Out Harder Than You Need To Be


BBC News
7 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Meet the Macclesfield grandad sharing his love of the outdoors online
Here in the North West we are fortunate to have incredible countryside, bustling cities, award-winning beaches and not forgetting incredibly friendly year I wanted to reflect on the pride we have of our wonderful region and the people that make it such a fantastic place to I came up with BBC North West Tonight's 25 in 25, a series showcasing some of the best people and places in the north-west of week I met up with Roger Hordley - an 81-year-old walking, photo-taking grandad whose photographs have earned him a following online. Roger's daughter Daniele emailed me about her dad, who enjoys nothing more than walking in and around Macclesfield Forest.I live in Marple. Macclesfield is, as we always say, "down the road" and yet somewhere I am ashamed to say I have never really a morning spent admiring the views I know it is a place I will be returning to - especially with my girls who would love the chance to build a den in the forest, like the one me and Roger stumbled not everyone has that opportunity and that's one of the reasons why Roger takes photos for his blog. "I take maybe 30 - 50 photos during a walk, I'll whittle them down to 15 or 20, put them into a montage and share them."The family can see them and, apparently, I have followers who like them."At the age of 81, some might think it's a time to sit back and relax but not Roger."Why do I walk? To keep fit? No. To keep the joints moving. I'm 81 and it keeps my limbs loose."Walking like this is for my knees, the future me is happy." Roger has walked five miles a day, at least five times a week for the past 10 years, so what motivates him?"Look at it. It's absolutely glorious."The walks are good, the exercise is good. It's just lovely. Who would not want to walk in a place like this?"Throughout our walk, Roger uses an app on his phone which tells him the name of the flower or bug he has stumbled across cotton grass, which looked like cotton wool balls on top of in the cotton a bug hid, Roger's app established it was a slow bug."I see something new every time I come on this walk, no two walks are the same." His advice to those that perhaps haven't got the motivation he shares?"The only thing I would say is don't think of the walking, think about what you're seeing."I wouldn't rather be sat inside watching the telly, I'd rather be here, watching this view." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What I learned from walking Britain's entire coast
Photographer Quintin Lake spent five years walking the coast of mainland Britain. He explains why the coast tells Britain's story better than anywhere else. Camping out on the wild cliffs in Caithness in north-west Scotland, British photographer Quintin Lake wasn't short on company. This remote, blustery corner of the UK is home to thousands of nesting puffins, and Lake spent a "magical" evening and morning with the colourful creatures as they waddled, paraded, fed and groomed before leaving for the winter. This was just one of many memorable moments on his five-year solo mission to walk the entire coastline of the British mainland. He had to take precautions though: "I camped a little distance away from the puffins on a very steep cliff," Lake says. "I tied the tent closed with my shoelaces in case I decided to sleepwalk for the first time that night." Setting off from the steps of St Paul's Cathedral in London in April 2015, Lake travelled clockwise around the island, breaking the epic journey up into legs ranging from two days to two months. In total, he walked for 454 days, covering more than 6,835 miles, camping along the way. Having spent much of his career as a photographer in far-flung locations, his British coastal expedition was a deliberate decision to seek out artistic inspiration closer to home. By the time he'd completed the journey, closing the loop in September 2020, he not only had thousands of photographs and a remarkable visual archive, but a deeper understanding of the island's history, geography, industry, architecture, nature and identity. As he shares in his new book, The Perimeter, the experience reshaped how he sees Britain – and also led to revelations about himself. Here, Lake speaks to the BBC about the wildest and most beautiful places he experienced, the emotional discoveries he made along the way, and why the coast tells Britain's story better than anywhere else. Why did you want to walk the entire British coastline? To get under the skin of our island and to understand this place that I call "home". I'd previously walked the River Severn from the source to the sea and I found it the most interesting thing I'd ever photographed – I wanted more of that. How physically challenging was the journey? Scotland was very physically challenging. I got a torn tendon and I had shin splints, and I was managing being cold and wet in the winter. There were many days where I just had to keep walking – that was the only way to keep my body temperature up. I walked in snowstorms and woke up many times with the tent covered in ice, whereas on the south coast of England, I'd be looking on Tripadvisor and deciding where to get the best ice cream. That said, the light was sometimes the most spectacular in winter in Scotland, so, photographically, I got the most rewards there. What was the most difficult section of the coast? The Knoydart Peninsula on Scotland's west coast. The region around Knoydart's called the Rough Bounds. It's mountainous, with no paths; a lot of broken ground and cliffs all over the place. It's very tough to walk. Did the solitude and isolation ever get to you? Because I found every day so inspiring and I was looking for images, I didn't feel that lonely. But practical things could be very difficult, like sourcing food, sourcing water and keeping warm. Was the solitude important to your experience and to your photography? Picasso said that, "Without great solitude, no serious work is possible". I love walking with friends and family, but if I'm by myself, I'm looking and observing all the time. The slowness and rhythm allow you to absorb the landscape more profoundly. What did you learn about Britain's geography from the adventure? I didn't realise how wild Britain was, especially in Scotland. I didn't realise Scotland is pretty much half of the entire coastline. I didn't realise the most dramatic parts of north-west Scotland would feel like the Norwegian fjords. People say Britain's an overpopulated island, but when you get away from the towns and cities on the coast, you don't need to walk far to feel space and isolation. You get that easily in Dorset, Essex, Cornwall. I think Britain is the most geographically diverse place in the world. If you look at a geological map of Britain, it's like a big piece of different coloured Play-Doh that got squished apart. The geology affects the landscape, and the landscape affects the nature of the people. That makes it a very interesting place to walk through. What impression did you get of modern Britain's identity? How proud and distinctive every region is. My feeling of Britain is a patchwork of "clans". I was moved by how much people I met would talk with love and fondness for their region, with different accents and different words for, say, a bread roll: bun, bap, barm, roll… Did you get a strong sense of British history, too? Walking the south coast of England is like a mini history lesson. You walk past the first Roman landing sites in Kent, then past the Norman Dover Castle. You see Napoleonic-era Martello towers and the places where the Vikings first attacked on English soil at Portland in 787. You go to Portsmouth and see HMS Victory, where Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalgar and the Tudor Mary Rose. You can't help but feel the depth of history of our island. The remains of thousands of tank traps and defences of World War Two also encircle the island. For thousands of years, the coast has been about how we try to defend this island. There are the remnants of those defences and fears of invasion all around. What were the most beautiful places you experienced? Knoydart and the Rough Bounds because it's so isolated and dramatic. People there were amazing, and there was a great sense of adventure. The other big discovery for me was Northumberland. I found that whole area really beautiful: Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island (Lindisfarne), the long beaches and amazing light. I'd also say the Gower Peninsula in Wales. The cliffs at Three Cliffs Bay are quite high and when you arrive via the coast you have a panoramic view. It gives you a sense of freedom. Were there any locations that surprised you visually or emotionally? The Redcar steelworks in Teeside, because it's the end of an era. I didn't meet anyone in that area who hadn't had a family member working in the steel industry there. At Cromarty in Scotland, it was dramatic to see the jack-up oil rigs towering hundreds of metres above the village. That's a moment in our time: the end of the carbon era. I'm sure in 50 years they won't be there. Where was your favourite wild camping spot? On the cliffs in Caithness, up in north-west Scotland. I camped a little distance away from the puffins on a very steep cliff. I photographed puffins in the evening and the following morning, which was a magical experience. Which coastal city impressed you most? I like a city to feel alive and vibrant, not just a historical remnant, so my favourite cities on the coast would be Glasgow and Liverpool. Both had layers of history but they're really energising and felt new and of the "now". What was the greatest architectural wonder you came across? My favourite architectural structures in Britain are the bridges. I think the Forth Bridge, just above Edinburgh, and Kylesku Bridge, right in the Scottish Highlands, a modern bridge surrounded by lochs and mountains, are the most beautiful. In terms of buildings, my favourite is the transport museum in Glasgow by the architect Zaha Hadid, and A House For Essex by Grayson Perry, a really exuberant building on the border of Essex. More like this:• An epic 38-mile hike to England's northernmost point• The Scottish isle you can only visit on a day trip• The Ridgeway: Hike the 5,000-year-old pathway that's Britain's oldest road Are there any easy-going stretches that you'd recommend to people who aren't big hikers? The Norfolk Coast is very well-marked, very beautiful and very flat. You get amazing skies, beautiful flint churches with round towers and long beaches, like Holkham. It's very charming and there's a lot of history. Perhaps my top day walk in Britain is the Seven Sisters from Seaford to Eastbourne, or as a shorter loop from Eastbourne, with the iconic white cliffs. It's not necessarily easy – it's rolling but fairly flat and well-marked. You can do that as a day trip from London. Where would you recommend overseas visitors go to see a new or surprising aspect of Britain? The Aberdeenshire coast up in north-east Scotland, places like Crovie and Gardenstown, where you have former fishing houses tucked in below the cliffs and hidden by the landscape. That would surprise people. It's an area, at Pennan specifically, that was featured in the film Local Hero. I'd also suggest the peninsulas, like the Llŷn Peninsula in Wales for its isolation, history, Castle Cricieth and the Whistling Sands beach. A lot of visitors might go to London or Brighton. But these other places give a sense of romance, isolation, stillness and history. If you go to a hotspot, you don't get that, but that's what makes this island unique. What did you learn about yourself from walking the coast? I've got a still calmness from the journey that's stayed with me. It makes me feel very content thinking about my times on the trail, and I now know that walking and being in nature has to be part of my life on a regular basis. I need that in order to be content. I also know that simply by walking and carrying a camera there is inspiration to be had. That makes me feel very positive about life. The Perimeter by Quintin Lake is published by Hutchinson Heinemann in hardback and eBook, with more of his photos of the British coast on his blog. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.


New York Times
2 days ago
- General
- New York Times
4 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Taking a Walk
I love a meandering walk, but sometimes I need a little motivation to get up and go. Lately, I've been tempting myself outside by visiting a dove that's nesting in my yard: Every morning, I check to see if her eggs have hatched. Once I've got my sneakers on and left the house, I tend to keep walking. Rob Walker, author of 'The Art of Noticing,' said that when he walks, he likes to impose a mission or build a framework around it to add a little novelty and engagement to an activity that is 'literally pedestrian.' 'Otherwise, you can easily end up on your phone, or in your head where all you do is ruminate over the deadline that you're missing or the smartass remark that someone made to you,' he said. 'And there could be dragons walking around and you wouldn't notice them.' It's worthwhile to do whatever it takes to stay on the path, because the benefits of regular walks are well-documented. Walking lowers the risk of many health problems including heart disease, anxiety and depression, and diabetes, said Stacy Imagbe, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Morehouse College. And you don't need to do 10,000 steps a day, either; even 4,000 daily steps have been shown to have benefits. If you need some motivation, here are some of Walker's more creative ways to take a walk. Get outside and tune into the sounds around you, Walker said. 'We're so visually oriented that we miss a lot of things that are happening to our other senses,' he said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The country walk bucket list: All the most beautiful rambles in and around the UK
As spring turns to summer (and the sun hopefully dons his fascinator, if not quite his hat), it's the ideal time to enjoy the great outdoors on a country ramble. There are idyllic walks all around the UK, from blustery coastal trails to steep mountain hikes. With something to suit whatever your fitness level, here's our selection of some of the best. Lake District It's hard to pick just one walk in Cumbria's paragon of loveliness, the Unesco-listed Lake District, which is chocca full of jaw-dropping vistas. For an easy yet highly gratifying afternoon, take a stroll around Derwentwater in Keswick – a much more peaceful, compact lake compared to its better-known neighbour, Windermere. Flat paths lead through ancient woodland and along the shores of the lake on a 16km jaunt that is nicely punctuated by beauty spots to share a picnic or pubs to reward yourself with a pint. If you have time, stop by Lingholm Estate – once Beatrix Potter's holiday home, it now offers luxury self-catering accommodation, a restaurant with walled garden and the chance to walk an alpaca around the grounds … South Downs This range of chalk hills is iconic walking country, offering 1,600sq km of land from Hampshire to East Sussex to explore. It would be a shame to head this far south without seeing the sea: starting at Birling Gap, head along the coast, taking in views of the Seven Sisters clifftops while following the South Downs Way. Finishing at Cuckmere Haven, the 6km walk should take a couple of hours to complete (although extending it to reach the Cuckmere Inn for sustenance is recommended). Capital Ring For those who can't quite make it out of the city, there is a solution. London's Capital Ring Walk offers some picturesque options, all accessible by public transport. This giant, circular 126km trail is split neatly into 15 sections; one of the greenest and longest is Wimbledon to Richmond (section 6). Starting at Wimbledon Park station, it runs through Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon Common and the sublime Richmond Park (look out for the freely roaming deer!) before finishing at Richmond station. The route is 11km and largely flat – it should take two to three hours. Wye Valley The Wye Valley Walk is an epic marked footpath following the River Wye and straddling England and Wales. The 225km-long trail can be tackled in different sections over the course of a week; but if you've not got that, a particularly handsome section starts at Chepstow Castle and finishes up at the haunting ruins of Tintern Abbey. The 10km route includes woodland, a steep climb of the 'Eagle's Nest' and phenomenal river views. Oh, and there's a decent pub at Tintern, The Anchor. The Cotswolds This huge Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 2,038sq km and stretches across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The Cotswold Way is a well-known trail to tackle, running more than 160km from Chipping Camden to Bath. Set aside seven to 10 days if planning to take on the whole thing, or alternatively do the circular trail from Chipping Camden at the start of the walk (a 7km romp around shaded woodlands) or the linear 'journey's end' section, starting in Lansdowne and finishing up at the majestic Bath Abbey (10km). Yorkshire Three Peaks This 39km scramble, taking around 12 hours, isn't for the faint hearted – but it is one heck of a challenge. Yorkshire's three highest peaks – Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – form part of the Pennines. Starting at Horton in Ribblesdale, the ascent up Pen y Ghent starts gently enough, before becoming increasingly steep and requiring the use of hands towards the end. Pick up the Ribble Way on the way down before joining the Pennine Journey path to the top of Whernside. Descend, join the Dales High Way and zig zag to the top of the final peak, Ingleborough, boasting 360-degree views of the dales. The Highlands There are countless beautiful walks in the Scottish Highlands. The 16km route from Loch Shiel to the dramatic mountain pass of Beinn a'Chaorainn has an extra touch of magic though – it starts at the Gothic church in Glenfinnan before making its way past Glenfinnan Viaduct, best known for playing host to the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. The rest of the route takes in mountain peaks, rivers, bothies and valleys. Well, variety is the spice of hike… While spring brings warmer weather it also marks the start of the hay fever season. If you're one of the 18 million people affected in the UK, it makes sense to try to help prevent the symptoms of hay fever. A single dose of Pirinase Hayfever Relief For Adults 0.05% Nasal Spray in each nostril once a day could help relieve sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy and watery eyes. Find out more here, or click here to buy online