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.

Just add water

There were once 300 lidos across Britain. Could these magnificent art deco palaces be about to make a comeback? By Steve Rose.

Watersports

Chic city lido or isolated river? Wakeboarding or a swim trek? Surfing or climbing a waterfall? The choice is yours. But whatever happens, says Chris Morley, come on in, the water's lovely.

Wonder weed

The seaweed used in a spa treatment at a traditional Swedish bathhouse is so healthy you'll want to eat it.

‘What’s brave about having cancer?’

Six years ago, Jane Tomlinson was given just months to live. Now she's about to set off on a 4,000-mile bike trek across America. She tells Riazat Butt why she refuses to sit at home waiting to die.

The new Blue

No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon - even if it's just to see the waitresses wading through the steam-hazy geothermal pool ferrying drinks to the guests.