It’s hot to be cold

Cold spells can boost your immunity and help muscle pain and depression. But is plunging into an ice bath or a freezing chamber going too far? A sceptical Ellie Levenson examines the evidence.

Should Everest be closed?

Tourism is turning the world's highest peak into its biggest rubbish dump, claim conservationists, who are pressing for controls on climbing. But will this cost sherpas their livelihood? Dan McDougall in Kathmandu reports on the campaign.

Destination: danger zone

How many of us think of the health risks when booking holidays in far-off places? Olivia Gordon offers a guide to what to avoid where.

Magic cycle

It took millions of years for Nature to design the perfect adventure playground in Utah.

Into the valley

Instead of necking ice-creams on a beach this summer, you could burn off 400 calories an hour Nordic walking in the Swiss resort of Arosa.

Crossing paths

The Coast to Coast Walk across northern England takes you through three of the country's finest national parks. But the real beauty of it is the camaraderie along the way, writes Ian Black.

Walk on the mild side

You don't have to be super fit or rough it to walk in the Himalayas. Stick to the foothills and enjoy the mountains from afar.

A bigger splash, a lot more cash

Time was when surfing in Britain was reserved for the hardy few. But now a wave of seamless wetsuits and rampant consumerism is robbing the sport of its rebel image, while the flood of BMW-driving stockbroker surfers is causing tension with the locals. Patrick Barkham reports from Cornwall.