THERE are very few things in life that can bring as much joy as the great outdoors can, so it comes as no surprise that one of the most popular forms of exercise is walking.

An ideal form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels, walking has many health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers.

Walking groups like the Lower Wye Ramblers provide a great day out, with members embracing the beautiful scenery of Gwent in a very social environment.

The Lower Wye Ramblers Group has around 200 members, people of all ages and backgrounds, who come together to share the enjoyment of exploring the countryside on foot and the company that goes with it.

Carole Macdougall, of the Lower Wye Ramblers, said: “Every week we have a different location as we try to provide variety for everyone with some people preferring longer walks and others shorter.

“We try to provide a cross-section of walks to appeal to members, with walks which are interesting, pretty and have history.”

Such walks include the Wye Valley, Westonbirt Arboretum, and Chepstow with walks at Parkend to Nagshead in the Forest of Dean and The Lonely Shepherd through Clydach Gorge planned over the coming weeks.

The Lonely Shepherd walk on December 8 is a more challenging trek, starting in Clydach Gorge, which will see members climb some steep hills covering a distance of nine miles, passing the old ironworks then up on to the Lonely Shepherd rock overlooking the gorge and Usk Valley, to provide walkers with superb views.

While the walk from Parkend to Nagshead in the Forest of Dean on December 11 is a more relaxing 6.5 mile walk along forest tracks passing Cannop Ponds, Bicslade Quarries, Stoneworks and through a nature reserve, followed by a pub lunch at the Fountain Inn.

“You think you know an area well, but when you get out and walk it you find that you don’t know it as well as you thought you did,” Carole added.

“We are lucky in this area as we have variety.

“The Wye Valley is stunning, The Gwent Levels are quite historic as are the Newport Wetlands, while some of our walkers like the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains.”

Weekly walks take place every Sunday with around 10 to 30 walkers meeting at Chepstow Leisure Centre or at a specified location, with walks finishing around 2pm or 4pm, depending on the length and difficulty.

“We organise our own walks, and it is quite a pleasant way of meeting different people, getting some fresh air and seeing parts of the countryside,” Carole said.

“We do a weekly walk every Sunday and sometimes in the summer we have summer evening walks, as well as mid-week and long-distance walks.”

Currently in the process of appointing a new chairman, members of the group can take a turn to lead a walk.

The group is always looking for members to take part in what can be a very social activity, with The Lower Wye Valley group organising a Christmas lunch, summer BBQ and quiz nights.

They also organise walking trips abroad to places such as the Akamas region of Cyprus and winter walking in Austria.

The cost of becoming a member is £32 for a year, £43 for a joint membership, with concessions available for full-time students, people on means-tested benefits or solely reliant on the state pension.

For more information on the ramblers visit www.ramblers.org.uk To join The Lower Wye Ramblers contact membership secretary Heather Price at hprice@tiscali.co.uk

Here are the walks the group is planning this winter:

December 8

A nine-mile walk to the Lonely Shepherd through Clydach Gorge.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9am.

For more information contact Jackie 07771596649

December 11

A six-and-a-half-mile walk from Parkend to the Forest of Dean.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9am.

For more information contact Hilary and David 01291621680.

December 15

An eight-mile walk to Rockfield St Morgans Tregate.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9am.

For more information contact Simon 01600 715207 or 07817208038.

December 22

A four-and-a-half-mile walk from Fields Fort and Riverbank.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9.15am.

For more information contact Bill 01291628656

January 1

A five-and-a-half-mile walk to Sugarloaf.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 10am.

For more information contact Steve 01594529556

January 5

A seven-mile walk to English Newton Common.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9am.

For more information contact Jackie 07771596649

January 12

An eight-mile walk to Staunton, Whippingtons Corner.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9.15 am For more information contact Simon 01600 715207 or 07817208038

January 19

A 13-mile-walk at Wintour’s Leap, Devil’s Pulpit, Eagle’s Nest and Lovers Leap.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 8.30 am For more information contact Lynn and Philip 07957662209

January 19

A four-and-a-half-mile walk to Woodland paths around Nagshead bird sanctuary.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9.30am.

For more information contact Bill 01291628656

January 26

A six-mile walk at Angiddy Valley.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9.30am.

For more information contact Anne 01633400799

January 29

A four-and-a-half-mile walk around Trellech Hill/Loysey Woods.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9.15am.

For more information contact Bill 01291628656

February 2

A seven-mile walk around Bristol Docklands circular.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9.15am For more information contact Heather 07811611906.

February 9 An eight-mile walk at Newnham, Bullo Pill and Blaze Bailey.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9am For more information contact Steve 01594529556

February 16

A nine-mile walk at Skenfrith Castle Green.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 9am For more information contact Simon 01600 715207 or 07817208038

February 23

An eight-mile Walk around Hoarwithy.

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure car park at 8.45am.

For more information contact David 01600 715207 or 07817208038