Yate & Sodbury District

Walking Group

About Walking with Us
We are an active, friendly group who enjoy companionship as well as the fresh air and exercise in our lovely countryside. We produce a programme of walks three times a year, and aim to offer a walk every week to suit differing abilities.

Walks are led by volunteer leaders, and we try to make them as varied as possible. They range from under 5 miles to up to 12 miles.

We meet in the Wickwar Road Rugby Club car park at 09.30 to car share before travelling to the start of each walk. Meanwhile, whilst encouraging walkers to car share where possible, we will continue to e-mail details of each walk up to a week in advance so that Walking Group members can make their own way to the walk start if they wish to do so.

If you are interested in joining the walking group, then please contact Janet Nutt via the message link on the right.

Guidance for Walking Group Members
Choose a walk grade suited to your abilities. Ambles are generally less than 5 miles and are walked at a slower pace and have a gentler terrain than the other walks. Other walks are graded easy, medium or hard and will generally be taken at a faster pace. Walks marked easy are on relatively level ground with few if any stiles. Walks marked medium tend to be in more hilly areas or have a number of stiles, some of which may be difficult to climb. Walks marked hard are for the more able and experienced walkers with more and/or steeper hills.

Details of each walk are circulated by email to walking group members around a week beforehand. We usually have a break mid-morning and a stop for lunch, depending on the length of the walk and arrangements made by the walk leader. Please check with the leader if in doubt and do not choose a walk which is beyond your capabilities.

Walking in the countryside has its risks. So wear strong supportive footwear and sensible clothing and a waterproof even if it doesn’t look like rain. Please also carry a personal 1st aid kit. Take adequate food and water. Carry your ICE (in case of an emergency) information with you.

Walks organised by U3A groups automatically have public liability insurance, provided the walkers are U3A members. However, this is not a personal accident insurance and members must be aware they walk at their own risk.

Current walks are listed below. Ambles are short easy walks. Walks marked “Special” will be accompanied by the leader’s dog, and are limited to 12. Arrangements for all walks will be published with the notice a week previous to the walk.