I know what you mean, Steve. Sri Ramana, for example, recommended people to walk around Arunachala hill probably as often (if not more often) than he told people to do self-enquiry. This is actually an ancient tradition there, predating Sri Ramana. He once told someone that, "even if you don't have faith in the power of walking around the hill, you'll at least get the benefit of the physical exercise".
I have recently started walking at a nearby park and notice that my mind becomes clearer and quieter the longer I walk. After a good long walk, thoughts seem to be clearer and so much less agitated.
Something else that is interesting comes to mind. Both Sri Ramana and Yogananda said that the breath exists as a product of the mind; surely a novel concept for the average person. So that when the breath is stopped, the mind is also.
Walking is not much of an exercise for me but i do like walking long distances when fasting. Especially with someone else and in forests... with occassional stops along the way at places that pull us to meditate, exercise or talk a bit.