We all might like getting out of town and enjoying getting walking in the wilds whether it’s in the hills or along a stretch of coastline, but our towns and cities offer lots of opportunities to enjoy shorter walks that offer plenty to see, and give you the chance to try out your new purchases, so let’s wet your appetite.

Birmingham, for example, offers a series of short 2km and 5km walks around many of its parks and nature areas. The short 2km walks are all way-marked with a combination of wooden signposts and green footprints. A map for all the walks is also available through their website. Many of the routes are accessible for those with a disability or for families with pushchairs. They also produce a leaflet for each of the longer 5km routes, which also includes map and directions giving you the chance to explore Perry Park and Woodgate Valley Country Park. While these are walking trails, they can also be utilised for joggers and runners, especially if you are training for a 5km fun run using new running footwear. It is always handy to pace yourself over a set distance to judge how your training is going and see how new shoes and clothing feel when being used.

Belfast City Council, as well as offering walking routes around the parks is also encouraging Orienteering routes, offering people the chance to have a go at this sport, involving walking or running while navigating round a course using a map and a compass. The aim is to navigate, in the correct order, between a set of control points, deciding the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. They have set up permanent courses which are suitable for all ages in several of the parks including Clement Wilson Park and Cave Hill Country Park.

In association with some of these trails they have also provided eco-trails so that as well as discovering about using the map and compass they can also find out more about the local, natural and man-made environment and have some fun all at the same time.

Stanmer Park in Brighton is situated on the outskirts of this sedative town, close to the Sussex University campus. It is an excellent example of the open countryside in the area, with a mix of woodland, open heath and grass areas. Permanent outdoor activity trails are currently being developed within the Park, to go alongside the walking and Nordic walking trails established during 2012. It is hoped that additional cross-country running and cycle trails can also be added in the near future. In the meantime there is always the Annual Sussex Festival of Nature (22nd June 2014) to experience.

This is just three places across the country and what they can offer, so why not check out your local green spaces and see what activities you can get involved with that will get you outdoors.