The countryside offers the active man (and, more importantly, his mates) a whole new world of weekend fun - from the hunting sports such as shooting, fishing and deer-stalking to less hunter-gatherer activities like trekking, hiking and horse-riding which are all a real challenge. Let me explain where to go, what to do when you get there and what men's clothing you'll need.

If you live in the country, you'll already know exactly what I'm talking about. In which case, you need a trip to the city my friend - read my Las Vegas blog or about a short break to Berlin or a weekend in New York.

For everyone else, the countryside is where nature happens. It's where the space is, where the scenery is stunning and where you can get away from it all. Not the luxury and indulgence, mind - there's still plenty of that in the country if you play your cards right.

Crucially all of these sports:

• Are manly activities - that means it's best you do them just with your male friends (no partners) and all the benefits that brings;
• Are of little interest to women - suggest they instead go shopping using Miss D's expert tips, distract themselves with chocolate or, better yet, pick up some new lingerie;
• Are actually good for you - they're all forms of healthy exercise which will do your health and well-being the world of good; and
• Deserve a reward for completion - usually some superb food and drink for afters.

What do you need to know?

1. Timing is important - you can't shoot, hunt or trek whenever you feel like it. Salmon fishing only happens at certain times of the year, high-altitude treks are at the mercy of the weather and hunting is often limited to certain months. So plan, prepare and be flexible;
2. Country pursuits can be expensive - like some of the best things in life, the countryside can be expensive. Mainly this is down to exclusivity - deer stalking, for example, requires huge amounts of land, which comes at a price for you to join in, it's also down to the need for equipment - fishing rods, tackle, a decent rifle, etc.;
3. There are rules - there are safety rules in anything, but you'll also need to behave like a man who's in the know - simply be the class act you already are and you'll be fine;
4. It may well stretch your endurance - I've trekked the Inca Trail in Peru, cycled 200 kilometres in two days and spent a good eight hours stalking deer in Scotland. It was all damn hard work and it was tiring. But it's all worth it for the achievement, so don't be phased by it.

What equipment and clothing do I need?

Clothing

Be prepared for the weather you'll face and the activity you'll be doing.

In winter weather, where luggage is an issue (e.g. trekking and hiking), pack lots of layers which can be added and removed - a high-spec base layer, plus interim layers and a top-quality waterproof jacket. Try New Zealand brand Icebreaker for base layers and perennial favourite The North Face for outerwear.

In colder weather where you're not hiking, like hunting, shooting or stalking, weight isn't the issue. So get a great waterproof from the likes of the British jacket brand Barbour or Australian brand Driza-Bone. Then follow current fashion and get some on-trend Scottish tweeds - jacket, trousers and that quintessential country item, the flat-cap. Check out Huntsman on London's Saville Row for ideas, then consider buying tweed elsewhere - Huntsman are pretty expensive.

In summer, heat and dehydration are the issues. Source lightweight breathable fabrics, designed to do the job you're planning to do - replica football kits aren't going to cut it when you're horse-riding!

Equipment

I'll keep this simple. The golden rule is to get expert advice, try before you buy, don't buy kit you'll only use once if you can rent it instead and don't skimp on cost - or it'll come back to haunt you!

Best places in the world to go...

• Shooting - where else but Scotland (not least so you can enjoy a dram of whisky by the fire afterwards?) Try Buccleuch Sporting which has a number of estates (and also offers fishing and deer-stalking);
• Hiking - the Abel Tasman National Park on the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island offers great water-side hiking with cabins en route. You can combine hiking with kayaking too;
• Fishing - fish the waters off Canada's west coast in British Columbia with easy access from Vancouver (and to Whistler, if you fancy skiing);
• Horse-riding - ride through the famous Australian eucalyptus trees of the Blue Mountains region near Sydney; and
• Trekking - try the Annapurna Circuit in the Nepalese Himalayas, amongst the most breath-taking (and arduous) high-altitude treks in the world.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to seize the day and get out there into the great wilderness!