My friend told me that you’re not allowed to have a picnic on a footpath. Is this true? Sarah Paddington
Anastasia French: The public’s right over a highway is “a right of passage for the purpose of passing and repassing along the way and for purposes reasonably incidental thereto”. Stopping for refreshment or to admire the view counts as a purpose reasonably incidental to the use of the path and is therefore allowed. Sitting on a verge while you have your sandwiches so that others can walk past without difficulty would be absolutely fine too. But bringing a full set of chairs, a table and a gazebo would not be OK because you would be stopping other people from enjoying their right of passage and causing an obstruction. You must also make sure that you keep to the line of the path, otherwise you may be committing an act of trespass while you’re munching on your sarnies. All in all, provided that you keep it relatively low-key and don’t commit an act of trespass or create an obstruction for other users, you are fully within your rights to picnic on a path.

I fractured my left ankle but want to cycle and walk again as soon as I can. How can I stay fit while my foot is in plaster, and regain real fitness quickly once it’s off? Janet McGregor
Dr Helen Crawley: Your exercise options depend on the type of fracture it is. Unstable or displaced fractures cannot bear weight until they have started to heal, but you could try a rowing machine or exercise bike with one leg, and use arm exercise machines, and weights and circuits concentrating on the upper body and your good leg. Once your plaster is off, ask your physiotherapist for advice on improving the stability of your ankle so that you don’t sprain it or even break it again walking on rough terrain. You should ask your GP or consultant whether you need a bone scan or treatment for osteoporosis to reduce the risk of future fractures.

I own a Magellan Meridian Gold GPS and believe the only compatible mapping software is Magellan MapSend Topo GB, which has apparently been discontinued. Where can I get a copy, or is any other suitable mapping software available? Ray James
Peter Judd: Alas, the Meridian range of GPS and its supporting mapping, MapSend Topo GB, have been discontinued. Magellan has withdrawn completely from the UK outdoors market and, disappointingly, doesn’t offer support to its existing customers. The problem goes back to the disastrous launch of the Explorist range of GPS units several years ago, and its later Triton range, neither of which offered PC access for the transfer of digital mapping. It tried to bridge this gap with an Ordnance Survey-based mapping product, which I helped to test, but I found its accuracy so seriously flawed that it couldn’t be launched without big improvements. It never made it on to the market, leaving Magellan offering two ranges of GPS with no supporting mapping, making them extremely unattractive to UK and European buyers. By the time the Meridian GPS, which did have OS mapping, came out, the company had already lost too much market share. Unfortunately, I know of no other mapping that’s compatible with the Meridian range of GPS, and the only place you may find a copy of MapSend Topo GB now is on eBay. I have, though, found one, so drop me an email at office@gpstraining.co.uk.

I love walking but never wear trousers. Is there a skirt available in the same water- and wind-proof material as walking trousers? Moyra McDermott
Minnie Burlton: Finding a skirt that offers the performance of walking trousers isn’t easy, but I’ve found three possible options. Ellis Brigham (✆ 0844 372 1010, www.ellis-brigham.com) sells the Royal Robbins Discovery Skirt, £35, in soft stretch nylon and cotton that’s lightweight and breathable, and wicks. From Rohan (✆ 0800 840 1411, www.rohan.co.uk), the On Location Skirt is said to have “the performance of specialist trekking trousers”. It’s made from a rugged polyamide, which is wind-resistant, high-wicking and very quick-drying. Alternatively, Pennine Outdoor (✆ 01524 263377, www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk) sells specialist fabrics for those wanting to make their own outdoor garments, including a breathable microfibre fabric called P32, which is ideal for making high-performance clothing. It also offers a made-to-measure clothing service and would be happy to custom-make a walking skirt for you.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

Q: After years of avoiding exercise, my friend is looking to get fit in 2010 and I’m encouraging her to try walking. Can you recommend a regimen that will ease her into walking gently but build up over time so I can eventually go on a hike up Snowdon with her? Jo Atherley

Dr Helen Crawley: Walking is an excellent way back into exercise as you can improve at your own pace. The goals your friend sets should be hers and will depend upon her current level of fitness and any problems such as arthritis, or heart or lung disease. Your friend could start by calculating how far she usually walks by using a pedometer for a few days and averaging the results. She can gradually increase her daily walking by 1,000 steps every week. This is easily achievable by walking instead of taking the car, and adding small walks to your daily routine. In a few weeks, your friend could be starting to climb hills and going for longer walks once or twice a week. She should then gradually increase her walking pace, tackle bigger hills and enjoy longer hikes until she’s ready to conquer Snowdon! There’s lots more advice for first-time walkers, including a 12-week structured starter pack, at www.getwalking.org.

Q: I travel to India every year to take part in a pilgrimage, which involves a two-day climb to a temple at 457m/1,500ft. When I reach the top of these mountains, my legs feel weak and shaky so I worry I could fall on the descent. My knee joints and general health are fine; my doctor says it’s just the age I am (72). Are there any food supplements or things I can do to strengthen my leg muscles? I Oberoi

Dr Helen Crawley: I agree with your GP about the problem being age-related, but it’s excellent news that your legs are free of arthritis and your muscles don’t give out before you reach the summit. The most likely cause of your wobbly legs is the sustained effort of climbing a mountain. Most weeks you walk for a good number of hours, but mountain climbing requires continuous effort and muscle power to lift your weight. I recommend a healthy balanced diet and graduated training rather than food supplements. Build up to your pilgrimage with regular hill walks, steadily increasing your distance. When you tackle the mountain, take your time on the ascent, enjoying frequent breaks and regularly snacking on high-energy foods with plenty of fluids. Before descending, take a good rest, and eat and drink again. Walking poles may also increase your stability and confidence.

Q: There is a public footpath through a farmyard in Worcestershire that has been blocked off by the farmer with chained gates. How do I get the route opened up? Theresa Flatley

Anastasia French: First, you should check with the local highway authority’s rights of way team to see if this path is actually a registered public right of way. All county councils and unitary authorities must keep a definitive map, which is the legal record of public rights of way. If it’s on that map, then the locked gate is an obstruction and the highway authority should remove it. If not, then the highway authority is under no obligation to do anything. However, if you believe the path has been in public use for 20 years – without interruption – then you can apply to have it added to the definitive map as a right of way. Speak to the rights of way team about making an application. You’ll need to provide user evidence from several people confirming that they’ve used the path over the 20-year period. The Ramblers website has more info at: www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way/take_action.

Q: Years ago I saw something advertised that could be strapped onto walking boots to make them grip better on icy surfaces. Do they still exist? Maggie Lowry

Minnie Burlton: They do indeed! Ellis Brigham (✆ 0844 372 1010, www.ellis-brigham.com) stock the Yaktrax at £14.99, which adds traction to your boots using metal chains. Petzl Charlet make an alternative device employing studs, called the Spiky; Tiso sell them for £25 ✆ 0141 552 6642, www.tiso.com). Neither should be used in mountainous terrain, where only proper crampons are suitable. Similarly, walking poles with metal – rather than rubber – tips can be useful to maintain balance and aid grip in icy conditions.

Q: I’ve never tackled a long-distance path before and I don’t drive a car. Which path would you recommend for a first-timer using public transport and how should I prepare? James Davison

Andrew McCloy: For an easy, scenic route use the seasonal Coasthopper bus to explore the Norfolk Coast Path; or try the hillier Calderdale Way in West Yorkshire via local trains and buses. But my top choice is the Thames Path National Trail, pioneered by the Ramblers and a wonderfully diverse riverside route from rural Gloucestershire to the heart of London. Its 294km/184 miles make for an easy fortnight of day-long walks, using trains, buses and even boats. Check out the new Thames Path Travel Planner at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Thamespath for more information, or purchase The Thames Path Companion by Jos Joslin (£4.95, ISBN 9780956107404), which includes details of accommodation. Remember to get in shape beforehand with regular weekly walks, don’t be over-ambitious in your daily targets (no more than 22km/14 miles per day), and avoid carrying too much!

Q: As secretary of Retford Ramblers, I’m unsure which side of the road I should be recommending our group walks on when on country roads. The local council says if there are more than six walkers we should walk on the left, but the standard advice used to be to face oncoming traffic on the right side of the road, unless approaching a blind bend or other hazard. Which is correct? Judith Anson

Des de Moor: It was the last but one edition of the Highway Code that triggered all the confusion as it contained a blanket statement that organised groups should walk on the left if there was no footway. Our advice continued to be that this was inappropriate for typical Ramblers-led walks. We subsequently lobbied the Department for Transport and then suggested rewording the rule for the latest revision of the code. As a result, the rule has been modified. It doesn’t go as far as we’d like, but it now at least says ‘large groups of people walking together’ (www.direct.gov.uk/highwaycode, rule 5), rather than a blanket rule for all groups. Of course that does prompt the question of what constitutes a large group, and I’m sure the writers of the code intend some judgement here on behalf of those organising led walks. I believe that for all but the largest groups, the current advice we give – to walk on the right side of the road – is the best advice.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

Q:

Karen Inkster: Leaving a note of where you’re walking is highly recommended. There is no official way of registering your route with the police or mountain rescue in the UK, but some police forces (such as Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary) have a system where you can submit your walk online. Print off a copy of your route and leave it in your car in a visible location or with a friend or family member, too. Carrying a mobile phone is good, but its batteries can obviously run out and there is no guarantee of a signal in the hills. However, emergency services can track mobile-phone movement and pinpoint the last recorded location, even if the phone has lost its signal or has run out of power. You may not favour GPS, but consider buying a personal location device that uses its network to constantly show your location on a website. For more about safe walking, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/resources.

Q: I always wear the correct boots and socks, but am prone to blisters. What will prevent and treat these quickly? I have heard that surgical spirit makes the feet harder. Loretta Cowen

Dr Helen Crawley: Many walkers swear by it, but there is no scientific evidence that surgical spirit helps prevent blisters. Blisters develop when there is moisture and friction, so keep your feet dry and reduce rubbing. Try socks in synthetic wicking fabrics or wearing two pairs to help draw away sweat. Change them during your hike and use talcum powder to absorb dampness. A study of United States army cadets showed that aluminium chloride antiperspirant applied for three nights before a long hike halved the risk of blisters, but beware — it commonly causes irritation, so watch out for a skin reaction. To minimise rubbing, moisturise your feet and smooth any rough, dry areas. Finally, make sure shoes are neither too tight nor loose.

Q: I have size 51⁄2 feet, but they are very wide and have a high instep. I have never found a pair of boots (or even shoes) that I can walk in for more than a few miles without huge discomfort. Do the experts have any advice as to where I can find something that will fit? Chris Benner

Minnie Burlton: I spoke to John Holburn, a senior fitter at specialist bootmakers Altberg, in Yorkshire. His advice is that, since men’s sizes start at a UK 8, women’s boots will offer more choice for smaller feet — and there is very little difference between male and female models. Look at different widths, too — Altberg offers five. John is able to fit 99% of the people who come with complaints about finding footwear to fit using Altberg’s off-the-shelf range of leather boots, which start at £135. The last resort would be to have boots custom-made for you, but there is a two-year waiting list at Altberg and the price is around £1,000. John stresses, “This isn’t a service that anyone can phone up and ask for; it really is only for those who cannot find boots to fit, which, in our experience, is a very small number of people.” To book a boot-fitting appointment with Altberg, call ✆ 01748 826922 or visit www.altberg.co.uk. Other retailers such as Brasher also offer boot-fitting services — call ✆ 0191 516 5780 for details of your nearest store.

Q: I’d like to buy a new ‘smart phone’ with GPS and mapping software. Will it be as good as a dedicated GPS unit? Wayne Millard

Peter Judd: It is perfectly feasible to navigate the hills on a smart phone with a full OS map to guide you — but be aware that some of its features depend on internet connectivity. A phone is also unlikely to be as robust or waterproof as a GPS and may have a poor battery life. That said, smart phones give access to a wealth of walk information, such as points of interest en route. Many come with a mapping application, but while this is detailed enough for town, it is too basic for reference on the hill. Instead, upload OS Explorer or Landranger from ViewRanger (www.viewranger.com). Find out more about maps for your phone on www.gpstraining.co.uk.

Q: I’ve recently been diagnosed with sacroiliac pain and was told to increase my exercise. But I find walking painful and advice on the internet suggested I should rest instead. Which is correct? Jeanette Webster

Dr Helen Crawley: The sacroiliac joints (SIJs) are where the lower spine (the sacrum) and the pelvis are joined by ligaments. The diagnosis of SIJ pain can be difficult and its treatment complicated, which may be why you are finding the management of your problem so confusing. Pain is caused by dysfunction or by inflammation. Dysfunction may be down to a problem with the joint — either it’s loose, causing too much movement, or so stiff there’s too little movement. Treatment may include painkillers, improving posture and gait so the SIJs are not strained, physiotherapy to improve mobility, rest when the joint is aggravated and exercises to prevent pain. SIJ inflammation is called sacroiliitis and is caused by an arthritic disease such as ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthropathy. A blood test will indicate if this cause is likely and a rheumatologist can then recommend medication to treat the pain.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

Question from Neil Gavins:

Minnie Burlton: Any heart-rate monitor will allow you to see how much effort you are putting in and will be of benefit but a higher specification monitor will be able to monitor your fitness over a period of time. The best of these allows you to upload and download information to your PC so you can check your progress. Dave Housley, Cotswold Outdoor’s senior equipment buyer, says: “You can choose one without a chest strap but they only give a momentary reading when finger contact is made with sensors on the front of the wrist unit. They do not give a constant read-out so are OK for casual monitoring of heart rate, but not so good if you want to improve your fitness. As you also cycle, you’ll find a chest strap version is far more convenient.” Cotswold Outdoor (? 0844 557 7755, www.ramblers.org.uk/gearshop) stock a range of monitors, from the Timex HRM Watch (£35) to the Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM (£280), which is also a GPS.

Question from Rosemary Buckton: I am 56 and over the past couple of years I’ve started to feel ‘chilled to the bone’ when walking in wintry conditions. Would a hipflask with a tot of brandy help?
Dr Helen Crawley: Alcohol actually decreases your body’s temperature by dilating the blood vessels and increasing the flow of blood to the surface of your body. This gives you a glowing feeling but increases heat loss, cooling your body’s temperature. So it’s best to leave the hip flask at home! One possibility for feeling the cold is that your thyroid is underactive – a blood test could check for this. It may simply be that now you are older you are not so well covered with muscles (which produce heat) and fat (which keeps heat in). Or perhaps your walking is not as vigorous as it used to be. Keep warm by wrapping up in lots of layers to trap your body heat, and make sure your hands, feet and head are covered.

Question from Valerie Cambridge: My daughter and I are keen walkers but, although we wear the correct boots, we suffer with tender soles. What can we do?
Philip Vass: This is not unusual. The most common cause is a lack of support under the feet as you walk. If your feet are not supported enough then the muscles and ligaments have to work harder, become tired, and start causing discomfort. Adding a supportive insole (ideally customized) into your footwear will give more contact and support – not only reducing the amount of excess work they do, but also helping to guide the foot correctly through your stride. The correct footwear is vitally important. Is the boot appropriate to the type of terrain you are walking on? Does it offer the best fit? Does it grip the heel and flex under the forefoot? Heat is also a factor: when feet are hot they swell, which can cause more sensitivity when walking. Be aware of lighter footwear, as they can compromise on the suitability of fit and function and increase the chance of discomfort.

Question from Madeleine Moody: My husband has had a pacemaker fitted and was told he shouldn’t wear a conventional rucksack. Where can we buy one with a diagonal strap across the chest?
Minnie Burlton: The North Face’s Base Camp Messenger range of bags includes a single shoulder strap, as well as a cross-strap to stop the bag swinging around. It’s also possible to change the strap’s angle to ensure it doesn’t run over the pacemaker area. They come in four sizes, from £35 to £55. Alternatively, try a rucksack that has contour shoulder straps that shouldn’t put pressure on the area of the pacemaker, such as the Osprey Talon which comes in an 11-litre size (£50), 22L (£60) and 33L (£70). Or opt for a bum bag, such as the Osprey Talon 4L (£30) or The North Face Sport Hiker 9L (£35). It would be worth having your rucksack professionally fitted. Most specialist outdoors stores offer this service.

Question from Peter Roundhall: While out walking in countryside near my home, I cut my hand on some barbed wire over a stile. What is the law regarding barbed wire near footpaths?
Martin Key: Believe it or not, there used to be an Act of Parliament solely about barbed wire! The Barbed Wire Act 1893 was passed ‘to prevent the use of barbed wire for fences in roads, streets, lanes and other thoroughfares’. The provision lives on in the Highways Act 1980, Section 164, which states: ‘where there is on any land adjoining a highway barbed wire which is likely to be injurious to persons or animals lawfully using the highway, the highway authority may serve a notice in writing upon the occupier of the land requiring him to abate the nuisance within a stated time. ’ Whether the fence is near enough to the highway to be considered dangerous depends on the circumstances (eg the width of the path). Section 164 refers to barbed wire at the side of highways; but where barbed wire is put across a stile, it is an obstruction and should be dealt with in the normal manner (reported to the highway authority who can use powers under the Highways Act to remove it). So report your incident and the highway authority should be able to ensure its removal and the landowner may be liable for any injury caused.

Question fromDerek W Hughes: After a day’s walking, my wife suffers from ‘sock burn’ – a bright red and sore rash around her ankles. It’s worse when she also wears a support bandage. What is it?
Dr Helen Crawley: This sounds like golfer’s or hiker’s vasculitis: a red rash which can give a slight burning sensation, and has been described in golfers after 18 holes and walkers after a day’s walking. It’s usually seen around the top of the socks and is most common in those aged over 50. Studies have shown that it isn’t caused by allergies or insect bites but is an inflammation of the blood vessels of the lower leg. It seems to be caused by a combination of exercise and heat, and certainly your wife’s elastic bandage will have exacerbated it. Unfortunately, little can be done to prevent hiker’s vasculitis, except to avoid overheating when walking, and using ice packs and elevating the leg when the rash occurs. It should disappear in a few days.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

Question from Jeffery Rogers:

Question from Sallie Leveridge: Do you know of any wheelchair-friendly walks in South Somerset?
William Moreno: South Somerset is blessed with stunning, unspoilt countryside and a huge range of nature reserves, parkland and walking routes, both long and short. The Visit South Somerset website (www.visitsouthsomerset.com) carries full listings. But while many have some limited disabled access (call ahead to check), fully wheelchair-friendly walking routes are rare. One such route is in Ham Hill Country Park, near Stoke-sub-Hamdon – a lovely 390-acre open-access site centred on an Iron Age hill fort (? 01935 823617, www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhill). Thankfully, the region’s premier longdistance route, the South West Coast Path, does have numerous sections that are suitable for wheelchair users, and its excellent website (www. southwestcoast path.com) provides a searchable database of walks graded as to whether they’re suitable for conventional wheelchairs or more powerful mobility scooters. Also, check the Ramblers’ online Group Walks Finder (www.ramblers.co.uk/walks finder) for details of thousands of led walks all over the country, with an option to search for those suitable for wheelchair users. The disability pages on the Ramblers’ website (www.ramblers.org.uk/info/ everyone/disability) may also have some contacts you would find useful.

Question from Neil Munro: My wife and I have just come across a diverted public footpath that turned our walk into more of a scramble. Would it have been done after due consultation with the appropriate authorities?
Martin Key: Public rights of way can only be legally diverted if the local authority makes, and confirms, the appropriate legal order. Notices must be placed at each end of the right of way, in the local press and sent to interested user groups, such as the Ramblers, to allow comments to be made. I suggest you ask the council or unitary authority if a diversion order has been made. The right of way should always be available to use and any attempt to obstruct it is an offence. However, if there is an additional path with a sign saying, for example: ‘Suggested alternative route away from eroding riverbank’, then you can decide which path to take – appreciating the landowner’s efforts to keep your feet dry!

Question from Jonathan Checketts: Most modern three-season boots seem to last no longer than a year before the soles wear out or the fabric begins to deteriorate. I notice that many are not even guaranteed beyond 12 months, and that some manufacturers warn that their boots will deteriorate over time, whether they are worn or not. So, what’s the truth about modern walking boots – has the build quality and robustness declined in recent times?
Minnie Burlton: I asked Brasher’s renowned boot expert, Bill Woodruff, for his thoughts. “Longevity is affected by the quality, price, what the boot is designed for and the level of usage, ” he says. “Dog walkers and long-distance walkers account for the heaviest users, and their footwear tends to wear out quicker. I’m not aware of any manufacturers who caution on deterioration even if the boot is not worn. Build quality hasn’t declined over the years, but the trend towards lighterweight products has meant that more light boots are being placed in the three-season category. ” While leather boots are, in my experience, more hard-wearing over the long-term, Bill says the common belief that they’re heavier is a myth. “Leather can be just as light as fabric, ” he argues. “It’s actually the sole unit that dictates the weight of the boot.”

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

Question from Jacqui Scott: I was attacked by a herd of cows while out walking my dog on a public footpath and bridleway. I escaped with cuts and bruises, but felt badly shaken. Should I report this to prevent a serious incident occurring to someone else? Jacqui Scott
Martin Key: I’m sorry to hear about your scary experience. Currently, only bulls are banned in fields crossed by a right of way, except if they’re either under the age of 10 months, or are not of a recognised dairy breed and accompanied by cows or heifers. However, even cows can become aggressive, especially when they feel their calves are threatened. Health and safety law protects the public, so if you do find yourself in a situation where you are threatened or hurt on a walk, you should contact the Health and Safety Executive (www.hse.gov.uk) – and the police if the matter is serious. Inform the relevant local highway authority that is responsible for the right of way, and let the Ramblers know, too. Otherwise, when encountering cattle, the Ramblers’ advice is to walk carefully and quietly, keeping dogs under close control (but make sure to let go of the lead should cattle start acting aggressively). If a bull or cow gets very close, face it and take a couple of steps towards it, waving your arms and shouting. And remember: always close any field gates behind you.

Question from Valerie Thompson: As a size-20 woman, I find it impossible to find ladies’ walking jackets and trousers to fit. Where can I go for my gear?
Minnie Burlton: It can be tough to find good outdoor clothing for larger frames but the following brands do sell clothes up to and including size 20: Regatta (www.regatta.com), Peter Storm (www.millets.co.uk), Craghoppers (www.craghoppers.com), Hawkshead (www.hawkshead.com) and Royal Robbins (www.royalrobbins.com). It’s also worth checking manufacturers’ sizing charts (usually on their websites) since Arc’teryx (www.arcteryx.com) and Columbia (www.columbia.com) both produce size 18s which are the equivalent of other manufacturers’ size 20. Rohan (www.rohan.co.uk) also produce a size 18 that’s just half an inch smaller than most size 20s, while Helly Hansen (www.hellyhansen.com) says its women’s XXL is equivalent to an 18-20.

Question from Howard Norfolk: Is there a hand-held GPS with paths marked on a map in the same way as a car satellite-navigation system?
Peter Judd: Most hand-held GPS come with a very basic basemap that is of no use to walkers. More detailed maps cost extra and there are two options: topographical maps with some incomplete footpath data, and full OS maps showing all rights of way. The latter is available either by using PC mapping software downloaded on to a PDA-type product, such as Memory-Map on the Road Angel GPS (www.memory-map.co.uk). Or you can buy GPS units that take a ‘plug & play’ SD card that are pre-loaded with OS maps, such as the Satmap Active10 (www.satmap.com) and Garmin’s Oregon series (www.garmin.co.uk). The in-car sat-nav style of computer-voiced navigation isn’t yet available for walking routes, but is in development.

Question from Fran Evans: I am a life-long walker but, due to osteoarthritis, I’m now facing hip replacement surgery. How far should I be able to walk afterwards?
Dr Helen Crawley: No-one can really predict how far you’ll be able to walk after a hip replacement. If your mobility is already severely limited, the operation should reduce the pain you’ve experienced but although your walking should improve, you’ll still not be able to undertake any long hikes. Before your operation, let your surgeon know that you’re a keen walker. Consult a physiotherapist for advice on strengthening your leg muscles in preparation for surgery and building your upper body muscles to help with using walking aids such as crutches. After the operation, your mobility should improve steadily. Be rigorous about performing the post-operative exercises suggested by the physiotherapist. Damage will be reduced if you avoid high-impact activities such as striding down hills. Walking poles and shock-absorbent poles will help reduce the stresses on your joints.

DR HELEN CRAWLEY walk magazine’s resident doctor is a GP, Oxford Medical School fellow and visiting lecturer at Reading University. She’s also a keen walker and mother of two.

DES DE MOOR A campaigns officer at the Ramblers, Des specialises in everyday walking initiatives and walking for health. He also knows a thing or two about pub walks.

MINNIE BURLTON Not only is Minnie walk magazine’s resident gear expert, she’s also a travel writer, trail runner and regular hiking mum.

MARTIN KEY Martin is a campaign administrator at the Ramblers, working to improve the walking environment.

PETER JUDD The author of several books on GPS technology, Peter runs GPS Training (www.gpstraining.co.uk), which offers digital and traditional navigation courses for hillwalkers.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.