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.