Walk this way . . .

Nearly 5,000 people have signed up to take part in Sunday's Great North Walk, through the diverse Weardale countryside.

The ten-mile route will give them a chance to exercise, while taking in views of some of the region's most stunning scenery.

The walk is being held in the Wear Valley district for the fourth time, most recently in 2000 when it followed an eight-mile route around Wolsingham.

This year, the route has been adapted by hiker Alistair Wallace, as many walkers called for a greater challenge.

Starting and finishing in Wolsingham's recreation ground, the route will follow part of the River Wear, before meandering through Black Bank Forest to Knitsley Fell.

"This is one of the best vantage points in the region. You can see the whole of Weardale and it is absolutely spectacular," said Mr Wallace.

"I've hiked all over the country and Weardale and Teesdale are as good as it gets. The route is possibly the best walk in the lower Dales."

It will then follow a circular path past the Elephant Trees landmark and through more woodland back to the park, which will host family activities and refreshments.

The Northern Echo teamed up with Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Northumbrian Water to launch a campaign called A Chance to Live. It aims to improve the well-being of people in the district by promoting the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, including taking exercise such as walking.

The Great North Walk (GNW) is seen as a major part of the campaign, as it has inspired hundreds of people to take up regular exercise.

Dozens of people joined the Wear Walking for Health scheme, a series of guided walks organised by the council, as training for the walk.

Lynn Wilson, scheme co-ordinator, said: "Aiming to complete the Great North Walk has encouraged a lot of people to take up regular walking."

Ken Ross, public health development specialist with Durham Dales PCT, said: "Walking is one of the best forms of exercise and is also a great way of getting some fresh air and seeing the countryside of the Durham Dales.

"Having a target, such as completing the GNW is a good way to get into walking and is a great motivational tool.

"It introduces a cheap, accessible form of exercise to lots of people and, along with the A Chance To Live campaign, shows people how much better they feel after taking regular exercise."

The event, the subject of a Tyne Tees television programme on Sunday, July 27, will also highlight the Dales' continuing recovery after the foot-and-mouth epidemic, which led to the walk being cancelled for two years.

Farmers will give demonstrations of dry-stone walling and sheep shearing along the route, and there will be entertainment from Jack Drum Arts and river activities from Weardale Outdoor Centre.

Why walking is a step in the right direction

THE Northern Echo launched a campaign called A Chance To Live in 1999, calling on the Government to cut the waiting times for heart bypass surgery.

This year, The Echo has extended its efforts to place education at the heart of the campaign.

In partnership with Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water, the campaign aims to improve the health of people living in an area with a poor health record.

One of the key ways of doing that is to encourage people to take regular exercise.

Ken Ross, public health development specialist with Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, said: "Walking is a wonderful form of exercise and is cheap and accessible to all. The distance you walk is not so important. What is important is that you aim to walk for about 30 minutes most days, briskly enough to make you warm and your breathing slightly heavier than normal."

Regular walking can:

* help reduce the risk of heart disease

* protect against the risk of strokes

* control body weight

* strengthen bones, preventing osteoporosis and osteoarthritis

* reduce high blood pressure

* reduce stress and anxiety