RAMBLERS’ GUIDE TO WALK GRADES
Easy: Walks for anyone who does not have a mobility difficulty or a specific health problem or is seriously unfit. Suitable for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Leisurely: Walks for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. May include un-surfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.
Moderate: Walks for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Strenuous: Walks for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. May include hills and rough country. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. People in doubt about their fitness are advised to contact the organiser or leader in advance.
Guidance to walkers
Please make sure that you are fit enough to undertake the walk you intend to join. If you are unsure of your fitness level, try a short and easy walk first: it is much better to find a walk a little too slow and easy than to make yourself miserable and exhausted.
Most Ramblers’ walks are off-road in rural areas. You are likely to occasionally encounter livestock on paths. Occassionally there can be short sections along roads, and you will need to be aware of road traffic. Please have suitable footwear and clothing for the walk you intend to join, and bring some food and drink, even if the walk includes a pub or coffee break. Leaders may refuse to accept participants who in their opinion are inadequately equipped or unfit. When in doubt, contact the organisers or the walk leader in advance.
For your own and others’ safety please read and abide by any advice and guidelines issued by the organisers, and the instructions of the walk leader. Though walking is inherently one of the safest outdoor activities, no activity is completely without risk and it is your responsibility to behave sensibly and to minimise the potential for accidents to occur.
Walkers need to be aware that it is possible for ticks to attach to your skin in open countryside. If this happens the tick should be removed by the walker as soon as possible by using a tick remover tool.
Trekking poles may be useful and their use is a personal preference. If unsure you should use them under muddy conditions. For your own and others’ safety please read and abide by any advice and guidelines issued by the organisers, and the instructions of the walk leader. Though walking is inherently one of the safest outdoor activities, no activity is completely without risk and it is your responsibility to behave sensibly and to minimise the potential for accidents to occur.
Children
As with all organisations, Ramblers has a legal responsibility for safeguarding children. In compliance with Ramblers national policy, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who holds parental responsibility, (parent, legal guardian, carer, teacher or youth worker), on our walks and any other activities.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on most of our walks. There are a few cases where they cannot be permitted depending on the route. Dogs must be kept under appropriate control the whole time, and especially anywhere with livestock and on or near roads. It is group policy that dogs should be kept on a standard lead at all times unless permission to the contrary is expressly given by the walk leader.
However, assistance dogs are permitted on ALL walks, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, but we suggest walkers with needs contact the leader beforehand to discuss requirements.
BAD WEATHER
Members need to be aware that walks may be cancelled due to bad weather conditions (possible flooding or bad snowy conditions). Also possibly very hot weather.. A notice if time permits, will be placed on our website of the cancellation, so please be aware of this possibility before travelling to a listed walk.
CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO YOUR SAFETY AND COMFORT ON A RAMBLE
Things to bring on a ramble
The following is a list of items, which you should consider bringing on rambles. As we walk throughout the year, some of the items may be seasonal. Bear in mind, however, that even on a summer’s day, weather conditions on high ground (in particular) can deteriorate very quickly with little or no warning. On hot days liquids can be vital. So it would be wise to bring,
- I.D in a fairly indestructible form with contact number/s of another person/s in case of emergency.
- Comfortable, waterproof boots (preferred) or stout shoes.
- Waterproof clothing (e.g. cagoule, over trousers).
- Small rucksack.
- Warm drink or ample cool drinks on the hotter days and a packed lunch for longer walks.
- Spare pullover, woolly hat, gloves, and spare socks.
- Light waterproof mat, to sit on.
- Torch and small first aid kit.
- Optional sundries like area map, whistle, compass, etc. (otherwise essential when walking alone).
- Mobile phone (especially if walking alone).
The leader has to ensure that nobody gets lost, that the group causes minimum disturbance to livestock and crops, and that the return is achieved in a timely manner particularly when a coach or public transport is involved.
To assist the leader, please,
- Observe any reasonable request of the leader.
- Do not walk ahead of the leader.
- Observe the Countryside Code particularly in respect of litter and gates.
- Extra care is required when crossing busy roads.
- Walk in single file on tarmac roads and also on paths that traverse growing crops.
- If you want to stop for a short convenience break please inform your fellow walkers that you are leaving the path.
- Tell the leader or back-marker, if for any reason, you decide to leave the main party.
- Please be aware of the person behind you, and shout forward if you believe there is any difficulty occurring.
- Please keep the person in front of, and behind, you in view at all times. Alert the back-marker if you lose sight of the person in front.
- All accidents should be reported to the walks leader.