May is National Walking Month! More daylight, more sunshine (hopefully) and more opportunities to walk.Walking is the most accessible form of exercise there is. It costs nothing, requires no equipment beyond a decent pair of shoes, and the benefits as we touched on last month in reference to the POMNI survey are manifold, both physical, mental and emotional. Whether you prefer a gentle stroll along the coast, a forest trail with the family, or something that gets your heart pumping up into the hills, Northern Ireland has a walk for every mood and every ability.Walk with othersOne of the best things about walking is that its as good in company as it is in solitude. If youre looking for a group to get out with, the Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs (UFRC) brings together walking clubs from right across Northern Ireland and is a great way to meet like-minded people, discover new routes and build a regular habit of getting outside. Over May and June, they are running a series of Walk With Us events, introducing people to their walking clubs. Find them on their website.For those who feel that walking is not always designed with them in mind, the Walking for All programme is well worth exploring. This cross-border initiative is designed to make walking more inclusive and accessible, supporting people of all abilities and backgrounds to enjoy the outdoors. It is, in their own words, a simple way to get active, enjoy the outdoors and connect with others in your community.Walk your own wayOf course, sometimes the best walk is the one you do yourself, on your own terms, at your own pace. A dander round the park. A coastal path after work. A forest trail on a Sunday morning. It doesnt have to be epic or gruelling to be worth doing, it just has to get you outside.WalkNI has almost 1,000 walks across Northern Ireland, free to access, searchable by location, difficulty and type. Whether youre after a stroll or a challenge, a mountain or a shoreline, a solo ramble or a family outing, its all there.May is your invitation to get out and explore. Find your walk here.The post May is National Walking Month! appeared first on WalkNI.