While most Islanders are still sleeping soundly, a brigade of early morning walkers are traversing the Island in search of a unique brand of scenic beauty, camaraderie and exercise.

Christine Doughty, who has been waking and walking early for the last ten years, still marvels at what she sees each day.

?The beach is unbelievable. The colours on the beach can only be truly appreciated if you are there at 6 a.m. to see the sun rise. It?s a different experience every day.?

Early mornings suit Ms Doughty best because of the long hours she spends in the office. After her walk she said she arrives at the office energised.

?There is a big community of walkers from 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. Most are out at 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. with us and I saw a good 50 people in different locations in groups of two or three,? she said. ?There is a sense of community.?

She sees the same group of regulars every weekday doing the ?Front Street stretch? from the Trimingham Hill roundabout to the Hamilton Princess and back.

?We all say hello. If you go away on business or happen to miss out a couple of days we get comments,? she said. ?We look out for each other rain and shine.?

By 5 a.m. they see Bermuda?s most famous early bird, Johnny Barnes.

?He knows us and if we start off and someone is late he will say ?You?re late?,? she said.

Gary Clarke, 65, said he has been going on morning walks through Hamilton for the last 15 years, setting off four times a week at 5.45 a.m. to beat the traffic.

Marilyn Steede, well-known for her 24-hour treks for charity, has walked at all times of the day but said she used to meet quite a number of walkers from 5 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. in Southampton.

?I do not know them by name, but I could time myself by where I would meet up with them,? Ms Steede said. ?Most of the walkers who I passed early mornings when I was running in that area are not young, but they have a very good pace and they are very regular.?

There are dangers as well with Ms Doughty and others offering common sense advice to assist new walkers.

Ms Doughty said she used to walk on Harbour Road but stopped because it was too dangerous.

?Especially the corners,? she said. ?There is a lot more traffic on the roads at 5 a.m. now. It is constant from 6 a.m. I have noticed that in the last three years.?

Dianne Blais and her walking partner Carol Lee walk on part of the sidewalk-less Harbour Road every day on their route.

However, Mrs. Blais recommended that if you have to walk on busy roads, listening to music could be especially hazardous.

?If you are on a road where there are no sidewalks I would not listen to music because there is a lot of traffic and I would prefer to see or hear what?s happening,? she said. ?Someone could get into the music and not pay attention. Someone could get seriously hurt. I encourage people to wear reflective clothing and keep their wits about them.?

Ms Lee also carries an alarm and takes a cellular phone.

?I always wear reflective clothing if walking early morning or late evening and have plenty to drink. When I walk long distances, say over eight miles, always put a $5 bill down the side of my sock just in case I need it for more water or a bus home.?

Ms Lee said taking a flashlight is also a good idea if you know the roads are not well lit.

Lynn Norman said she always tells her husband where she is going if she is walking alone.

The walking club of Bermuda ? www.walk.free.bm ? offer free weekly walks every Sunday at 7 a.m. Tomorrow?s walk starts at the Botanical Gardens.