Please read the grades and descriptions to ensure you have chosen a walk that is approriate to your levels of fitness.
Easy Access
General Description:
Short, leisurely walk suitable for beginners and those returning to walking. These walks are generally flat with few gradients except over extremely short distances. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Terrain:
No stiles; good paths with flat, smooth and hard surfaces; absolute minimum of obstructions such as steps. All gates and barriers are pushchair/ wheelchair-accessible. Assistance may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections – check with leader.
Length:
Less than 5 miles.
Duration:
Allow: 1.5-2.5 hours.
Easy
General Description:
Walk for anyone who doesn't have a mobility difficulty, specific health problem that prevents exercise or is otherwise seriously unfit. Ideal for people who have done little walking before. Suitable for pushchairs (UNLESS walk across is sand - in which case the leader will have highlighted this) if they can be lifted over obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Terrain:
Lowland walking, usually along solid, well-surfaced paths - perhaps with a few gentle climbs - no sustained ascents. Minimum of obstructions, including stiles; no long/ difficult flights of steps.
Length:
Less than 5 miles.
Duration:
Allow: 1.5-2.5 hours.
Leisurely
General Description:
Walks for the reasonably fit person with at least a little country walking experience. Walking boots or good quality walking shoes and waterproof (warm where appropriate) clothing recommended. These walks should still be suitable for the large majority of people.
Terrain:
May be hilly with some ascents and descents. Paths will generally be good, a few sections may be along country paths, which could be steep, muddy, rough or overgrown. Obstructions such as stiles, narrow bridges, stepping stones and steps may be encountered.
Length:
See walk description.
Duration:
Allow: 1.5-5 hours.
Height Gain:
Up to 1000 feet total height gained.
Moderate
General Description:
Walks for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness - may not be a good choice for your 1st walk if you haven't done much walking before. More energetic walks either because they're long, have significant hills or because a faster pace is expected. Walking boots with good grip essential. Waterproof clothing strongly recommended, warm clothing where appropriate.
Terrain:
As leisurely walks, but likely to include steep gradients and perhaps some moderate walking on open hillsides or moorland. Hills and Dales, generally below 1,500 feet
Length:
See walk description.
Duration:
Allow: 4-6 hours.
Height Gain:
500 to 1500 feet total height gained.
Strenuous
General Description:
Walks for experienced country walkers and above an average level of fitness. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing essential. Very long walks and/or brisk pace - could include walks on moderate terrain taken at a brisk pace . If in doubt about your fitness, contact the leader beforehand.
Terrain:
Includes rough country and mountains over 1500 feet. May include scrambling and a few long (or lots of short) ascents/ descents.
