This page gives Walk Leaders pointers, tools and information to lead a successful walk. See the Led Walks page too for news and further useful information.
Tell us who you are!
So we can provide better support, it's important that we know who you are. We therefore ask all walk leaders to register with us. All registered walk leaders with email addresses are sent our popular e-newsletter The Leader Column three times a year. This contains important information for walk leaders on national promotions, health and safety, insurance, training and support as well as inspiring and informative ideas and experiences from led walks volunteers. You can view back issues below but you will only get a copy by email if you register as a leader or coordinator.
How to register
Walk Leader role description
Ever thought about leading? Have you ever thought of becoming a Walks Leader but don’t know where to start? Or what it involves? Moo Ling Boey, a leader with Lea Valley Friends, a Ramblers Group in Essex, shares some tips with a light-hearted touch.
Leading Group Walks - A guide to organising a safe, enjoyable Ramblers walk.
Leading walks in remote areas - A guide for Leaders leading walks in remote and challenging areas
Leading the Way - Find out from the December 2010 Ramblers walk article about the huge range of walks laid on by the Ramblers, what it takes to be a great walk leader and future thoughts on a Ramblers training package.
The Leader Column
The e-newsletter for Ramblers led walks volunteers.
Ramblers festivals and events
Running a themed walk as part of a nationally promoted festival or event is a great way for local activities to benefit from wider publicity and attract more new walkers and potential members. For details of forthcoming events see www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/festivals.
Walk Leaders checklist
The latest edition of the Walk Leaders Checklist is now available. If you would like to order some copies please email ledwalks@ramblers.org.uk
A web version of the current checklist is available here .
The checklist is based on a Ramblers publication that some may be familiar with. Navigation and Leadership was first produced in 1994 as a manual to help individual Walk Leaders and Groups looking to organise training or offer advice. The checklist is largely an abridged version of Navigation and Leadership. If you’ve never seen a copy of the manual it’s likely that somebody in your Group will have one if you ask around, or click on the link on the left: Navigation and Leadership, to view the online copy.
Tips for Walkers
After working with the British Red Cross to update the Walk Leaders Checklist we have again worked with them to produce an more in depth first aid guidance leaflet. The Tips for Walkers guidance includes various illnesses and injuries including; how to deal with hypothermia, how to stop bleeding and how to cope with heat exhaustion. Tips for Walkers is available here.
Insurance for leading walks
The Area and Group Insurance Guide, including incident report forms, is available here
Insurance Guidance for Affiliated Clubs
Ramblers are unable to provide advice on affiliated club insurance, clubs need to contact Perkins Slade direct. Ramblers have, in collaboration with Perkins Slade, written up some guidance which will answer some queries clubs may have. The guidance is available here.
Ramblers national festivals and events
For details of forthcoming Ramblers national festivals and events see www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/festivals
Welcoming children and vulnerable adults
Do you know what you should be doing if children and young people under 18, people with special needs or other vulnerable adults attend a walk you are leading? If not, see our safeguarding guidelines at www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/safeguarding.
The guidelines include simple advice for all walk leaders, and more detailed advice for those who regularly lead walks with children, young people or vulnerable adults.
Perhaps a younger member of your Group would like to lead a walk? Guidance on Young People Leading Walks outlines the Ramblers approach to encouraging young members to get involved.
Group Walks Finder
The Ramblers' searchable online database of led walks at www.ramblers.org.uk/walksfinder is now the main way most people -- including potential new members -- find out about our great walks programme. Areas and Groups list walks on the system themselves. If your walks aren't listed, ask your Group. There's more information on how to list walks on the system at www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/groupwalksfinder.
Walks Grading
The Ramblers has a national walks grading system so that walks can be compared from Group to Group on the Group Walks Finder. Please grade your walks using this system. Your Group may use a bespoke grading system too.
Level crossings
For a handy link to using level crossings safely please visit: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/using_level_crossings_safely.pdf
Page updated April 12
