Going for a walk or a hike is a brilliant way to have fun with your kids and get fit at the same time. It's also the ideal way to keep fit during pregnancy and post baby, too. Whatever your reasons for wanting to start walking, here's how to get the most out of each and every step.

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Walking is the UK’s most popular outdoor activity – nearly a quarter of us go for a 30 minute walk every month according to Britain's walking charity, The Ramblers.

It's also a great way to get fit, especially if you haven't exercised before and are looking for a gentle way to start.

You can even start walking when you're pregnant or straight after having a baby, making it a great all-round exercise for the whole family.

And given it’s absolutely free – not to mention the huge choice of parks and nature trails to enjoy – it’s a perfect family activity that you can enjoy all year round.

Here are some top tips on where to go, what you'll need to take with you ... and the amazing health benefits of going for a walk.

Walking for fitness and weight loss

If you're looking to start a new fitness regime, walking is an easy way to get fit and lose weight.

According to research from the London School of Economics, going for a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day means you’re likely to have a lower BMI (Body Mass Index) than people who do high intensity workouts.

So does that mean it's better for you than going to the gym?

That depends how fast you walk, explains Mike Loosemore, a Lead Consultant Sports Physician for The Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health.

'It is slightly false to say walking is as good as going to the gym,' he says.

'It is brisk and fast walking which is as good as the gym, it doesn’t mean a meandering walk through the countryside looking at flowers. A very brisk walk means almost short of breath.'

So, if you’re walking to get fit and lose weight, keep this in mind.

Walking pace: how fast should you walk?

If you want to lose weight through walking, you need to aim for a brisk walk, which means aiming for a speed of just over 3 miles per hour. According to a study that appeared in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine , that's the pace at which you'll burn the most fat if you have 10 or more pounds to lose.

Not sure how to track your pace? Aim to walk a mile in 19 minutes (or less). There are lots of apps out there that can help track this, too.

Try the MyFitnessPal app or download the NHS Active 10 app .

How many calories can you burn during walking?

Depending on how fast you go, you could burn up to 150 calories during a half an hour walk.

Walking V running

US research found that it is possible to get the same health benefits from walking as you can from running.

However, you will have to walk for longer, in order to get these benefits.

As a general rule, a 15-minute jog burns about the same number of calories as a half-hour brisk walk.

But although you may get results faster (in less time) through running, you're more likely to do it without any injury if you walk.

Find out more about how to start running, here .

Is walking safe during pregnancy?

The NHS recommends staying active and keeping fit during pregnancy. It also reminds expectant mums that exercise doesn't have to be strenuous to be beneficial.

That's why walking is an ideal way to keep fit when you're pregnant.

According to the NHS, you should try to keep active on a daily basis:

'Half an hour of walking each day can be enough, but if you can't manage that, any amount is better than nothing.'

If you notice any new pain begin when you're out walking, or if walking doesn't feel comfortable, talk to your midwife.

Pregnancy conditions like SPD (Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction) can become more painful when walking but there may be other forms of exercise that don't affect it as much, such as swimming or cycling.

How soon can I go walking once I've had the baby?

Walking is also a safe and gentle way to get in shape once you've had your baby. As it counts as gentle exercise, NHS guidelines say it's safe to do as soon you feel ready as long as you had a straightforward birth. Otherwise it's a good idea to wait until you've had your six-week check.

Although exercise may feel like the last thing you feel like with a newborn baby, just heading out for a short walk and some fresh air can do wonders for your mental wellbeing, too.

According to the NHS, as well as helping your body recover after childbirth, it can also help to prevent postnatal depression .

Planning your walk

As well as boosting your fitness, walking is a great activity to do with your kids.

A gentle walk round the block doesn't need any organising. However, if you're planning a longer walk, it's a good idea to do some preparation and research in advance.

1 How far to walk
The main consideration will be how old your kids are. If you have teenagers you could go on more challenging walks which will give you all an incredible sense of achievement.

But if you have much younger children you'll have to think carefully about how long your walk is and what is achievable without them getting too tired.

2 What sort of terrain to choose
If you've got a baby, you'll probably want a gentle walk across easy - and buggy-friendly - surfaces. And if you're pregnant, you won't want an uneven or bumpy terrain or anything too strenuous.

3 Walking … or carrying?
Also be realistic - will your children be walking some or all of the way? If so, will you need a backpack carrier ?

If you’re walking with babies or toddlers you'll need to make sure your pushchair is up to the job. Easy walks should be manageable with your normal buggy.

But if you want something that can cope with rougher ground, look out for an all-terrain pushchair.

4 What to take on your walk
You already know it’s impossible to leave the house without nappies, wipes, bottles and snacks. And going for a family walk is no different.

It's also a good idea to take sun lotion , a first aid kit , a charged mobile phone and a map.

What walking gear do I need?

If you're just going for gentle walks you don't need any special gear or equipment. However if you're planning longer walks on different terrains, it's worth investing in:

• Walking boots
• Waterproofs
• Waterproof rucksack for your map, phone, water bottles etc
• Hats and gloves

Where to go

Once you've worked out the practicalities of your walk, you can then move onto the fun bit - planning where to go. For inspiration, try …

1 Netmums
We’ve got listings of parks and woodland near you . If you want to go further afield, you can also search in different locations across the UK.

2 The Ramblers
Not only will you find comprehensive information on walking for families but you can search for family-friendly walking routes across the UK.

3 Walks with Buggies
This website has a collection of tried-and-tested pushchair-friendly walks in some of the UK's most stunning locations.

You’ll need to register first, but it’s free to join and includes reviews from other parents of walks.

You can also search for walks by region, distance (from 0-2 miles to 5 miles plus), gradient and terrain (easy to extreme).

4 National Cycle Network
Check out the traffic-free routes on the National Cycle Network.

The website has over 13,000 miles of routes throughout the UK, a third of which are paths free from traffic. Which makes them ideal for family walks … and buggies.

5 National Trust
Whether you’re looking for family walks or walks for little legs, the National Trust has got you covered.

Suggestions include a puffin-spotting walk on Farne Island in Northumberland.

And for Harry Potter fans , go for a walk in Lacock, Wiltshire past the Abbey where some scenes were filmed.