Rambling
What is it?     What you need     Getting started     Find out more

 

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What is it?

  • Walking and rambling is one of the most popular ways of using free time in an active manner.  

  • The opportunities are many and wide ranging.  You can take short walks in the town or go for long hikes in the country. 

  • Many people take walks as a regular but informal kind of exercise (see also jogging and cycling);   other do so in order to exercise their pets

  • Special footpaths can be followed as well as ordinary roads and tracks.  

Find out more

Organisations

Backpackers' Club  www.catan.demon.co.uk/backpack/ 
Long Distance Walkers Association  www.ldwa.org.uk/
Ramblers Association  www.ramblers.org.uk/ 

 

Magazines
Country Walking 
TGO - The Great Outdoors 
The Rambler

 

Getting started

  • Find a local walking or rambling group or club (see organisations above).

  • See if your local group has introductory sessions or special walks.

  • Consult books or magazines on different aspects of walking and rambling, and where to go.

  • Check in your local library/paper or with the local council for more information.

What you need

Skills and people
  • No special skills are needed and walking and rambling can be done by people of all ages and abilities, as well as both sexes. 

  • It is easy to walk on your own but many people like to go out with friends or to join a group who go walking or rambling on a regular basis.  In addition to the stimulus and social contact, joining a rambling group can introduce you to new routes and paths in the countryside.  

  • For longer walks, it is better if the people you walk with are of roughly the same physical ability as yourself, but they need not be of the same age or sex.

Equipment or clothing
  • For ordinary short walking no special equipment or clothing is needed except comfortable shoes or boots and clothing suited to the weather.  

  • More serious walkers, especially in the hills, choose to wear special boots, and take maps and compasses.  

  • Mountain walkers are advised to take special precautions against being caught by bad weather.

A place or facilities
  • Walks can be taken almost anywhere in town or country, but the national network of footpaths is a particular focus for longer country rambles.

  • Many places have specially marked paths designed to give easy access to walking.

Have a go - get started now

 

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