Walking on the Welsh coast. Photo: Gerald England CC-BY-SA-2.0

A smartphone application to help walkers build up their fitness will be launched by the Ramblers in Wales.

The free iPhone app will help people walk their way to health with a series of challenges over a 12-week period in the run-up to the opening of the Wales Coast Path later this year.

Ramblers Cymru said the challenge will take people from first steps to more heart-raising routes, helping people to improve their health through walking.

Each day the Big Welsh Walking Challenge app will set the user a new challenge, such as walk briskly for 30 minutes, building up the challenges as the user progresses. The app, downloadable directly to users’ phones, sets goals to be reached, graphs to monitor progress and tips on how to get the most out of walking.

The application, which is sponsored by Sport Wales, can help people build up their fitness in preparation for the Big Welsh Coastal walk challenge on 5 May, when the Wales Coast Path will officially open. Ramblers Cymru said Wales will be the first country in the world to have a complete coastal path.

Angela Charlton, director of Ramblers Cymru, said: “This new mobile phone app is a great way for people to stick to those New Year’s resolutions and get that little bit healthier.

“Wales is a great country for walking and we hope that this new app will help even more people to discover why walking is such a good tonic for mind, body and soul.”

iPhone users can download the app free from the Apple iTunes store.