There are lots of ways to fit extra steps into your daily life to improve your health and rack up the count on your free Big Challenge pedometer.
 | | Sally Gunnell, who is supporting the Big Challenge |
Some people like to get off the bus, tram or train a couple of stops early and complete their journey to work on foot. Others shoehorn some stair-climbing into their journeys around their workplace. Big Challenge diarist Judy Knight, who works at Mortgage Talk in Rotherham, has become an enthusiast for walking at lunchtime and sings the praises of some planned fresh air and conversation a couple of times a week. But where do you start? If you're used to travelling around South Yorkshire by car or bus and sitting in your desk at lunchtime, you may not know where to go. Remember to stay safe - no walking down dual carriageways or in unlit areas at night. For inspiration, why not try out some of the urban and country walks already featured on the BBC South Yorkshire website:
Some other local websites also have descriptions of walks of varying lengths you might like to try. Dearne Valley walks
 | | Walking children to school |
Conisbrough Castle's website has a series of walk route leaflets to download. Distances range from five to eight miles and include walks from the castle itself and other areas such as Elsecar, Wentworth and Wath. Beighton Heritage Trail Twenty five bronze waymarkers have been placed around this 2.5 mile historical walk around the ex-mining village of Beighton as part of a Heritage Lottery Project. Download a colour map and guide which points out some of the points of interest along the way. Ramblers Association (Transpennine Trail) The Ramblers Association's guide to the trail, which spans the North of England, with sections suitable for walkers and cyclists in Sheffield and Rotherham. Barnsley Walking Festival Register for a walks guide or get involved with one of the other festival activities. The theme for 2005 was "Million Steps in May", but you can still find advice on getting active in the Barnsley area. South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire Area Ramblers Association If you're looking to walk a bit further, off the beaten track or with a group, the Ramblers Association's regional website is a good place to start. There are links to more local groups and information about walks in neighbouring areas such as The Peak District and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
"J31" - walks around the towns of South Yorkshire Personal website J31.co.uk looks at the towns to the east of Sheffield, south of Rotherham and west of Worksop and the Nottinghamshire border. It's an amateur site so don't expect huge resources, but there's a thoughtful selection of walks around areas such as Kiveton Park and the Chesterfield canal, Anston Stones and Tickhill, some illustrated with the webmaster's own photographs. | 
