Latest news: There's now a much more flexible way to include our interactive mapping on your own website using an iframe. For more information see Factsheet GWF04, Creating programmes for web and printing, below, revised 24 May 2011.
The list of theme and festival codes has been updated as of May 2011. See below for the latest list.
If you use our templates to do bulk uplaods, don't forget to ensure you are using the most recent version by downloading them regularly rather than using locally saved versions. See below.
The Group Walks Finder is an online listing of led walks organised by Ramblers Areas and Groups. It can be found on the main Ramblers website at www.ramblers.org.uk/walksfinder. From this page website visitors can search for forthcoming walks using postcodes and place names, dates, length, grade and other search terms.
The same system is used to list Ramblers Areas and Groups, and visitors can also search for these by postcode or place name at www.ramblers.org.uk/localgroups.
The Group Walks Finder is a great way for Areas and Groups to promote their led walks programmes and encourage new walkers, new members and new volunteers. It’s also a great way to help everyone including existing members find a full range of walks across Britain, useful when travelling or when the Group covering your postcode offers no suitable walks for you but other nearby Groups do.
Around three quarters of Groups now use the system, which is one of the most popular sections of the Ramblers website. Many Groups say it is their major source of new members, and there is evidence to suggest Groups that use it enjoy higher memberships than Groups that don’t.
Some Areas and Groups list walks on their own websites, but we recommend they list them on Walks Finder too. There is no need to retype details: once walks are on the Walks Finder you can link to them from a local website or create a simple listing that can be incorporated into another web page.
The Group Walks Finder is easy to use if you have a few very basic IT skills, a computer with an internet connection and readily available software.
Group Walks Finder factsheets
A comprehensive guide to using the system can be found in the following set of factsheets, all available as downloadable PDFs. We recommend you start by downloading and printing out the Getting Started factsheet and working through it, then downloading and printing other factsheets as required.
GWF01: Getting Started
Covers technical requirements, registering as an editor, logging on, general familiarisation, uploading, editing and publishing basic walks details.
GWF02: Uploading a single walk
More detail on uploading walks one by one using a simple web interface, and essential reading even if you intend to use a different method of uploading walks.
GWF03: Uploading multiple walks
Outlines how to use a spreadsheet to uploading multiple walks details in bulk, including uploading walks for more than one Group.
GWF04: Creating programmes for web and printing
Covers formatting listings of multiple walks details for online display or printing, including how to produce simple printed programmes containing details not available to the public; using an iframe to include walks details with interactive mapping on another website; and writing links to walks details from other websites.
GWF05: Using promotional codes and themes
How to use the system's special features and theme and festival codes to promote walks more effectively -- also of interest to programme coordinators and other led walks volunteers.
Group Walks Finder templates
To download a template, right click on the link and select Save as. For more on using the templates see Factsheet GWF03. The templates were last updated on 20 December 2010.
Logging in
Once you have an editor's user name and password, you can log in to the Group Walks Finder editing system at:
www.ramblers.co.uk/walksfinder/editors
Current theme and festival codes
For more details about the major national festivals and their dates, see www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/festivals.
A Walk in the Woods Week
Code: WOODS
Current: 3-9 October 2011.
Please note this code is replacing Autumn Colours until after 9 October. For woodland walks during the rest of October 2011 please use the code AUT.
Festival of Winter Walks
No need to enter a code as all walks held between the festival dates will be themed automatically. Current: 24 December 2011 – 2 January 2012.
See www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/festivals
Coastal Walking Day
Code: COAST
Current 5 May 2012 only.
See www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/festivals
Get Walking Weekend 2012
Code: GWW
Current 25-27 May 2012
See www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/festivals
Get Walking for the Games
Code: 2012
Short led public walks to get more people active through walking using the energy and inspiration of the Olympic Games. Current until September 2012
www.ramblers.org.uk/2012
For more information contact Everyday Walking Team, Central Office
Valentine Walks
Code: VAL
Walks with a romantic theme. Current: 11-14 February 2012.
For more information contact Press Team, Central Office
Bluebell Walks
Code: BL
Seasonal walks to places with impressive displays of bluebells. Current: April – June 2012
For more information contact Press Team, Central Office
Rail Rambles
Code: RR
Programme of guided walks from railway stations across Wales.
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales/Our+work/promoting_walking/railrambles.htm
To register as an editor and for all Group Walks Finder problems and enquiries not covered in the factsheets, please contact
walksfinderhelp@ramblers.org.uk
