· If you love walking, head straight to Pilgrimages. There are itineraries for some of the world's great walks and it will be growing continually.
· We all know how good walking is for our health but often find an excuse to put it off until later. When you travel you are walking all the time and it's fun because you're always seeing something you've never seen before. It's`a great way to get around and soak it all in.
· And you'll be rewarded with great discoveries for eating, drinking, shopping and entertainment. So, it's important to have good footwear. Comfortable, sturdy, good grip, cool and waterproof in the tropics, easy to slip on and off for houses, temples, shops etc and easy to clean.
· Before the 2004 Olympics the footpaths in downtown Athens were made of marble and became deadly when mixed with a bit of moisture. In Asia each Chinese style shop house can have a different type of slippery tile with the roof draining straight on to it. Once again when wet they're deadly. Everywhere has it's hazards so having a good grip could literally save your life and and let you walk with confidence.
· Beware of poles that are cut off with an inch or two protruding above footpath level. It's very easy to take a big chunk out of the bottom of your foot. Beware of uneven, loose, missing, broken paving, manhole lids, basically anything you walk on. Pay attention when you're walking in dodgy areas and keep your head down.
· When it floods don't walk near electricity poles. Look three ways before crossing the road. Especially if the cars drive on the opposite side of the road to what you're used to at home. Don't be surprised by motorbikes on the footpaths or vehicles going the wrong way on one-way streets. Cross the roads as the locals do, even use them as a human shield and follow their moves.
· In Vietnam and Cambodia, the traffic is hypnotic and you can watch it for hours. It looks very difficult to cross the road but the truth is you could do it quite safely with your eyes shut. The hardest part is taking the first step. Once you're moving just keep going at a smooth rate and the traffic will flow around you. Let them make the decisions and move at an even, predictable rate. Never just stop or try to avoid someone (unless it's a big truck bearing down on you😁).
· Crossing a main road in Manila was quite the experience. After 20 mins evaluating our chances, it was a life-or-death decision to go for it and run like hell. These days a lot of the big cities have pedestrian bridges across busy roads.
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Morning smoko, trekking somewhere in northern Thailand
· Another piece of local knowledge worth learning early is how much respect drivers have for pedestrians. In some countries they are very polite and will always give you right of way. In other countries they ignore pedestrian crossings and red lights and are quite happy to run you over. In the US you can be fined for not crossing at the lights - jay walking.
· Walking through the countryside is a great way to relax and get healthy. There are always waterfalls, temples, historical sites, wonders of nature, national parks etc and they always seem to be at the top of a hill. At least it's downhill on the way back.
· For longer walks you can go trekking and stay in villages overnight. Sometimes you will need a guide such as visiting the Hill Tribes in SE Asia. In Nepal you can pretty much find your own way at your own pace. There are some stunning walks in Japan on ancient trails through picturesque villages.
· The US has a dozen major trails Including the "Big Three" Pacific Crest Trail PCT, the Appalachian Trail AT and the Continental Divide Trail CDT. Among many others Canada has the world's longest hiking trail that stretches from coast to coast. The Trans Canada Trail is 15,000 miles long and took 25 years to complete.
· Australia has some wonderful walks which showcase the beauty and diversity of the country. Tasmania, the Flinders Ranges, Fraser Island, the Northern Territory, the Blue Mountains, the Snowy Mountains and the Cape to Cape in Western Australia are but a few guaranteed to please. New Zealand is a beautiful country and has some outstanding walks on both islands.
· Europe has many classics. South America has Machu Picchu and the Andes and Patagonia. There are mountains to climb if you're really energetic, there's Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, you can hike to Everest Base Camp or if you want to start with an easy one try Australia's tallest mountain. Mt Kosciuszko is 2,228 m high and a chairlift will take you to within 6.5 km of the summit. That's one continent off the list on your Seven Summits journey. Or is it. There could be 8 or 9 depending on your definition.
· There are some verified walks around the world taking on different routes but none on the scale of the intrepid Karl Bushby. His route is from Punto Arenas at the bottom of Chile north to Alaska across the Bering strait in winter when it's frozen (the first person to walk from the US to Russia), across Russia where he had a lot of problems with bureaucracy and at the moment he's having problems with the war in the Ukraine. By the time you read this he may be finished his epic trek.
· His destination is his home in Hull England. When he gets to the French coast it is organised that he can walk through the Chunnel to England. He started the walk in November 1998 which means he's been at it for over 2 decades. He walked through the Darien Gap, across the Bering Strait, Siberia, Mongolia and has had to cope with multiple delays. By the time he finishes he would have walked about 60,000 kilometres. Quite a feat. His first book Giant Steps is a must read.
· And of course, there is the best form of walking - around a golf course!!