EVERY day across Gwent, there are people making use of a facility that does not require dumbbells, a treadmill or membership fees – the great outdoors.

Taking in some breathtaking scenery, and making use of a wide-range of walking paths, many are setting off for long walks in towns or villages with the prestigious Walkers are Welcome accreditation. These include Chepstow, Tintern, Monmouth and Abergavenny.

Whether it is the Wye Valley walk or the Machen Forge Trail, numerous Gwent residents are flocking to the countryside to take in some breathtaking views.

Indeed, despite the wide array of exercise options on offer today, walking remains a popular pursuit and dozens of clubs exist across Gwent. Central to the appeal of these clubs is not only the scenery and social aspect of walking, but the proven health benefits.

Fred Fee, 64, from Newport, has been a member of the South Gwent Ramblers for 15 years.

The Ramblers has 150 members and Mr Fee said that walking has given him a new lease of life as he has grown older.

He said: “When I was younger, I did a lot of sport and walking all day would have been anathema to me.

“But, once I got into my 40s, I began to slow down and get more injuries. I used walking as a recovery and have been doing it ever since.

“It keeps you fit, mentally and physically. It really improves your stamina and I was fitter at 55 than I was at 45. Sure, I can’t run 100 yards in ten seconds but it’s all about building up your stamina.

“Mentally, you just feel easier about things and it’s the best drug you can get without the after-effects. You feel so much more mentally alert and, circulation wise, it washes your system out. The aches and pains disappear and it’s good for you.”

He added: “When you are working, you don’t realise how strung up you are. I used to go on walking holidays with my wife and found that after the first three days of it, the tension gradually eased in my body. I’d be in a relaxed mood and when returning to work, it would take maybe three or four days to return to the working mindset.”

But for Mr Fee, walking is also about taking in the views and the surroundings.

He said: “Gwent is the place for it and I’ve been here for 25 years. There’s so much history out there when you get out in the country with the various artefacts, churches, and old houses. They are smashing buildings.

“It’s so quiet and relaxing and it’s nice to get out of the housing estates and away from shift work, as people are now working late into their lives.”

Also among those to advocate the accessibility of walking is Brian Begg, an exercise specialist who works with the cardiac rehabilitation team of Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

Mr Begg is also responsible for developing ongoing physical activity opportunities through walking groups and maintenance classes.

Over the past seven years the programme has flourished, with the creation of eight groups that deliver ongoing exercise classes and 16 walking groups that host 20 walks a week.

Mr Begg said that it is the accessibility of walking that sets it apart from other forms of exercise

He said: “Walking is a low-impact activity and, while running is great for a certain proportion of people, a similar amount of calories can be burnt over a similar distance. They’re on par, really.

“People are more likely to go for a stroll as the majority have always been able to do it. It’s about small steps, whether it’s parking further away from the shops or using the stairs instead of an escalator.

“What sets walking apart is that the majority can do it.

“We don’t expect everyone to join the gym, but just to walk a bit more as there are some great benefits and it’s easy to incorporate into our busy lifestyles.

“You can be more active in the outdoors, being in and around nature rather than just walking on a treadmill.”

He added: “It’s great for your mind to get away from the office too.

“We often hear of the 10,000 steps challenge, but we don’t want to ram that message down people’s necks. If people walked even 1,500 steps more per day, they would see the benefits straight away.

“We’d just encourage people to walk to work or to have a stroll at lunchtime. In the office, you could even decide to always get things yourself and there are even significant health benefits to standing up.

“It’s difficult to maintain going to the gym in the long-term and with walking, you can just decide to go from your front door and the chance of suffering an injury is low. It’s easy to pace yourself.”

Being so accessible, it is not just in the Gwent countryside where walking is proving popular.

Liz Salmon, 54, is a member of Newport Outdoors, which has 88 members and has been in existence since 1960.

Mrs Salmon believes that walking is the perfect antidote to her job in an office.

She said: “It’s a great outlet and it might seem boring, but actually it’s very rewarding. Walking in a circle for six to eight hours getting wet and cold might not be for everyone, but that glass of wine tastes a lot nicer after a walk.

“I’m no good at indoor sports – it’s too hot! I love the mountains and coasts and it’s so rewarding when you climb one. It could be lashing rain and my sandwich might be soggy, but I soon realise why I climbed it in the first place when I make it.

“It’s the simpler things and it puts it all into perspective. It helps reduce stress, particularly when you are working in an office from nine to five. I try and walk once or twice per week and I don’t think that people fully realise the benefits.

“It’s good therapy, away from using your brain the whole day at a desk job. It also helps you sleep and you don’t have to be super healthy. You could even decide to walk to the pub.”