What better way to make walking fun than on an outdoor ‘treasure hunt' with friends and family?

The Geo-teering Challenge – where you follow clues and map coordinates in a quest to track down hidden markers – is just one of a series of activities being run as part of Walk Month. Participants are reminded walking can be far more than just trudging from one point to the next.

Sport BOP recreation advisor Jen Riley. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

As part of the Sport BOP's walking promotion over March it has teamed up with Virtually on Track and Sport Waikato to offer three geo-teering challenges around Waihi Beach, Athenree and Waihi where, in this combination of orienteering and treasure hunting, you can challenge your family and friends to be first to the prize.

A ‘have a go day' on Sunday, March 22, 10am-noon at Anzac Bay, Bowentown will introduce people to the skill of geo-teering (challenge details and instructions are also online at www.virtuallyontrack.co.nz).

These challenges, which are being offered from March 21, give participants clues and co-ordinates to follow using the GPS on a smartphone, or good old fashioned paper maps, in a quest to find hidden markers. Everyone who enters the answers online goes into the draw to win prizes.

Other educational walks on offer include a guided walk on Wednesday, March 18, 9.30am-2pm around Waipu Bay and central Tauranga's sandy beaches, mudflats and pavements. Meet at Herries Park, The Strand (opposite Lone Star), bookings essential on 07 552 5257.

The guided walks continue at dusk on Friday, March 20, 7.30pm with a guided Glow Worm trek to Te Reranga Tunnel (TECT All Terrain Park); phone Julie on 07 579 6732. The next week a mix of guided walks offer an insight into the region's history with the chance to visit seven pa sites on Papamoa Hill.

Phone 07 578 0016 for details or meet at Poplar Lane on Monday, March 23, 9.30am. Finish the month off learning about early settlement and pa sites on a guided walk from Bowentown to Shelley Bay.

Phone 07 578 0016 for details or meet at Seafourth Rd, Anzac Bay Wednesday, March 25, 9.30am.

For more Walk Month activity details go to www.sportbop.co.nz/playinthebay