I have decided to take up hiking as a hobby and to get fit.  Do you hike yourself?
I do hike, I like the fact that it is a vigorous exercice in the countryside.
It certainly is.  I have started doing local, small hikes with friends and am loving it but I want to progress to longer more challenging hikes.  Have you any tips?
I would start with a day hike, something that can get done in 1 day. Also get a good pair of hiking boots. 
Ok.  I have the boots but i will have to check more hikes in my local area.  My longest so far was 6 hours in a beautiful mountain range in the next county to me.  Have you ever travelled to another country to hike?
No, but the term hiking is not used by all countries, in New-Zealand, it is called tramping. It is important when you search the web. 
Oh I didnt know that at all! Aparently the top hikes in the world for your bucket list are - Inca Trail in Peru, Kilimanjaro in Africa and the Grand Canyon.
The Inca trail seems very interesting, you go through settlements and Inca ruins before arriving at Machu Picchu.
It would be amazing I imagine.  Its a long way off for me but hey it is good to have a long term goal!
The important to reach a goal it to have a plan and commit to it. 
I absolutely agree.  Lovely talking with you and thanks for the advice.