Walk on! Step off the treadmill and burn calories galore on a guided walking tour through the countryside - Venture Out Special

Shape, Jan, 2003 by Marybeth Bond

Why go nowhere fast on a treadmill when you can get fit, trim fat and burn bonus calories on a scenic walking tour? The views are way better too. You don't need any special experience, training or complicated gear. With a good pair of walking shoes/boots and a guide, you can get a great workout while seeing the country from the ground up. By joining the growing ranks of "fitness walkers," you'll be part of the country's leading exercise trend. The National Sporting Goods Association says Americans ranked walking No. 1 among 64 sports, fitness and recreational activities in 2001.

Adventure travel companies are offering more and more tours featuring inn-to-inn or lodge-based trips -- from a walk on the wild side in Washington's Olympic Peninsula to a scenic ramble along the Maine coast, with guides to lead the way and a shuttle to schlep your luggage. A few companies even provide support vans ("sag wagons") that meet the group for lunch and offer weary walkers a lift to the next inn or lodge.

Following are eight great walking tours -- seven in the United States and one in England, plus all the info you need to pick the right trip for you. Rates are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted, and include lodging, meals, guides, shuttle service and ground transportation. Airfare is extra.

Carole Jacobs

1. Santa Barbara: America's Riviera

Type of tour Inn to inn

Ability level Moderate, with a few challenging hikes

Miles walked per day 7-9

Where in America can you find in one area a Mediterranean climate, a coastline as scenic as the Cote d'Azur and vineyards producing wines rivaling those of Europe? Lace up your boots, grab a water bottle and prepare for breathtaking strolls from the Victorian-era Upham Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara to the Ballard Inn nestled amid vineyards in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Traveling by foot is the most rewarding way to experience this Mediterranean hideaway in the heart of Southern California. Begin your walking tour by visiting the historic town of Santa Barbara, where you'll amble through Mediterranean gardens, wander down Spanish Revival courtyards and promenade along historic Stearns Wharf. Once outside of town, you'll trek the Rattlesnake Canyon trail up into the Santa Ynez Mountains, hike through the Los Padres Mountains and descend to world-class wine country. Stop off at the Firestone Vineyards for a picnic lunch and then head off to the Andrew Murray Vineyard for a wine tasting.

Details Five days, from $1,895. Departures: April 13, Sept. 28 and Oct. 12 (800-249-4620, thewayfarers.com)

2. Washington's Rain Forests and Coastlines

Type of tour Women only; inn to inn

Ability level Moderate

Miles walked per day 3-5

During the dog days of summer, there's no finer place to relax than on a carpet of moist, green moss in the cool, shady rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula. Just a few hours from Portland, Ore., or Seattle, you can stroll through the lush foliage of ferns and wildflowers, beneath ancient spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. A haven for hikers, the old-growth forests of Olympic National Park shelter some of the world's largest trees and harbor an amazing variety of bird and animal species -- from huge Roosevelt elk to the northern spotted owl. Leaving the giant forests behind, you'll hike toward the undeveloped coast for a glimpse of the mighty Pacific Ocean. The combination of unspoiled beaches, crashing waves and drift logs makes this dramatic coastline a beachcomber's paradise. The walking on this six-day tour is diverse and easy. Accommodations are in classic national-park lodges like Kalaloch Lake Crescent Lodge as well as Bishop Hotel, a Victorian inn in Port Angeles.

Details Seven days (the last day is a travel day), from $2,195. Departure: Sept. 2 (800-804-8686, adventure women.com)

3. The Best of New Mexico

Type of tour Day walks from historic Southwestern-style inns and lodges

Ability level Easy to moderate

Miles walked per day 5-7

If you're eager to follow in the footsteps of artist Georgia O'Keeffe or photographer Ansel Adams, you can discover the source of their inspiration in the vibrant colors and contrasts of the deep-blue skies and red-rock canyons of the high desert. A variety of walks combine the beauty of New Mexico with the rich multicultural heritage of the Spanish, Mexican, Native American and European peoples. You will explore the Anasazi ruins at Bandelier National Monument, hike along the alpine trails of Carson National Forest high above the famed Taos ski valley and amble through the historic town plaza of our nation's oldest capital city, Santa Fe. Lodging will be in historic Southwestern-style inns like the Fechin Inn in Taos, with adobe walls, open courtyards and fine hand-carved doors and furnishings, or the Bishop Lodge, nestled in the foothills outside Santa Fe. At day's end, you'll fuel up on healthy, creative Southwestern cuisine using chilies, vegetables and sauces unique to New Mexico. Bring your credit card -- the many shops and galleries in Santa Fe and Taos sell exquisite Native American arts and crafts. Details Seven days, from $2,395. Departures: Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 (707935-0595, goingplacestours.com)