Do I need any special clothes for a walk?

For most of our walks, you will need a pair of walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing. Don't rush out to buy expensive gear until you have been walking for a while; this will give you a chance to find out what you do and don't need, and to pick up tips from more experienced walkers. See also What you need to bring.

Where do you walk?

Most of our walks start within a 20 mile radius of Plymouth, though we sometimes go further afield. Popular walking areas include Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor, the South Hams and the South West Coast Path. All types of local terrain are walked - moorland, riverside, woodland, country lanes, farm tracks and coastal paths.

When do your walks take place?

We walk regularly on Sundays, Wednesdays, and on Thursday evenings in the summer. Once or twice a month we also have a very short walk on Saturday mornings tailored more towards new members, and those who are no longer able to undertake a full day out. There are often two walks on Sundays and Wednesdays, one shorter (up to 8 miles) and one longer or more strenuous (usually 8 to 12 miles long, and sometimes more).

How long does a walk take?

This depends on length, and a rough rule of thumb is that we tend to take about an hour for each two miles. Walks normally start at 10:00 or 10:30 and finish mid to late afternoon, although occasionally a long summer walk may extend into the early evening. Thursday evening walks start at 19:00, and finish around 21:00, often followed by a pub visit.

How do I know if I'm fit enough for a walk?

Each walk is allocated a walk grade, which will give you an idea of the level of fitness required. If you are in doubt, it's best to start with a leisurely or short walk to see how you cope. You can also contact the walk leader to find out more about a particular walk.

How can I find the start of a walk?

Start points for the walks are given by named location, by grid reference, and using What3Words. You can check any grid reference here. Please avoid using postcodes, as they do not work in rural locations! If you are on the Plymouth Ramblers website, the easiest way to find the start point is to open the walk description and click on "Google directions", then on OK. That will show you the exact route you need to take. We also run car share on many of our walks; for car share locations check the maps here.

Do you cancel walks if it rains?

No, we walk in all conditions - rain, wind, hail, snow - as long as it's not dangerous. Occasionally the leader may cancel a walk because of dangerous conditions, or for unavoidable personal reasons. In this case the walk will be flagged up as cancelled on Plymouth Ramblers website and the national Ramblers website. If the cancellation is at short notice, the leader will make every effort to go to the meeting point to explain the situation to any walkers who turn up.

Are the walks suitable for children?

We run a programme of weekend family walks (3-5 miles) roughly every month or so and geared towards the interests and abilities of younger children (generally four and above, although babies and toddlers are welcome in backpacks)

Parents and grandparents may also want to bring children and young people on our regular walks, and this may be appropriate in some cases, depending on their abilities and the demands of the walk. However, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who holds parental responsibility, and will supervise them during the walk. 

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are allowed on most walks provided they are well behaved and controlled by their owner. They should be promptly put on a lead when approaching livestock, approaching roads, or at the request of the leader. It is a courtesy to check with the leader before bringing a dog along. See also Dogs and cows. Occasionally there is a "no dogs" request on a walk. This will be noted under the walk description in the walks programme.

Who are the walk leaders?

Walks are devised and led by members of the group. All members are encouraged to suggest and lead walks. We offer guidance and support for anyone who is interested in leading a walk, and we often run training sessions for walk leaders. See here for more information about leading walks.