The National Trust is known for its work in protecting, managing and enhancing some of the most beautiful parts of the country, including the Marsden Moor Estate. But it does more than protect our environment, there’s a plan to boost our fitness too. JOANNE DOUGLAS reports

IT manages more than 250,000 hectares of land, 200 gardens and 700 miles of coastline.

The National Trust aims to protect places – rural and urban – for the benefit of all.

But it doesn’t stop there – the National Trust also looks after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles and nature reserves.

Its office in Marsden is the home of environmental work in Huddersfield.

At Marsden, the National Trust cares for 5,685 acres (2,300 hectares) of unenclosed moorland and it is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).

But the Trust team are on a mission to be more than Green Heroes, they want to be Health Heroes too.

A new month-long outdoor challenge developed for the National Trust is giving people the chance to shed the estimated 80 million kilograms – 80,000 tonnes – of weight put on over the Christmas period.

Starting on New Year’s Day, the challenge builds on recent research by Essex University which shows that exercising in a natural environment boosts people’s physical and mental health more than going to indoor gyms, even in winter.

This suggests that the Outdoor Gym Challenge could prove to be less costly than signing up for New Year gym membership, 60% of which are given up in the first six months.

And it can all be done in the surroundings of Pule Hill, an impressive rocky outcrop offering incredible 360 degree views over much of the estate, and Wessenden Valley, a wild and remote valley which includes the Blakeley and Butterley reservoirs.

Jo Burgon, outdoors programme director at the National Trust, said: “Enabling everyone to enjoy the outdoors is one of the core reasons why the Trust exists.

“One of our founders, Octavia Hill, wanted to bring peace and beauty into the lives of ordinary people, and she campaigned to save open spaces from development and to protect access across the UK.

“Today we own or manage over 250,000 hectares of land, 200 gardens and 700 miles of coastline with lots of outdoor activities on offer to include walking, jogging and cycling with lots of exciting activities planned for the next few years.”

Signing up to the outdoor gym has financial benefits too – figures reveal that the average membership fee for a UK health and fitness club stands at £442 a year whereas National Trust events are free.

The exercise challenge has been designed to ease people into an outdoors regime where exercise is more like fun then a chore.

So when and where can you start?

Saturday January 1 is the best time with a New Year Walk organised by the Trust.

A five-mile medium walk takes place from 10am until 1pm. Meet at Marsden railway station and make sure you wear sturdy shoes and wrap up warm.

Health walks run on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 10.45am until around 12.30pm.

For further details about the Outdoor Challenge visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marsdenmoor , email marsdenmoor@nationaltrust.org.uk orphone the estate office on 01484 847016.