| Walk Coordinators | Medium and Strollers - Anne Morgan (O7721 O48968) or Donna Alcock (O7988 466792) Long Walkers - Geoff Tideswell (07835 120878) |
| Walk Leaders | Various, please refer to the calendars below. |
| Venue | Various. Please meet for registration at Brough Park Overflow Car Park, Leek. New walkers may simply turn up at Brough Park (fully kitted for a walk) at the appropriate group time listed below. |
| Day/Time | Wednesdays (fortnightly) - Strollers Group: Registration from: 10:00am. Departure: 10:30am (prompt). Thursdays (weekly) - Medium & Long Groups: Registration from: 9:00am. Departure: M@9:30am L@9:15am (prompt). |
| Transportation | A low cost car sharing scheme is available within each group. |
| Strollers Group | 3-4 miles; open country walks involving occasional stiles and easy to moderate ascents taken at a leisurely pace. |
| Medium Group | 5–8 miles; more adventurous walks taken at a moderate pace. Possibility of some difficult stiles and terrain. |
| Long Group | 8–12 miles; moderate to strenuous walks, often covering rough terrain. |
General Walking Activity Information
Currently three Leek u3a walking groups explore the Staffordshire, Peak District, Derbyshire and Cheshire countryside with walks varying between 3 and 12 miles in length. You will walk in picturesque countryside, meet some friendly people, enjoy a good laugh and improve your general health and well being. Full walk details can be obtained by referring to the programme of information below or by contacting the Walk Co-ordinators (above). If you have the technology please send a text message in the first instance to the Walk Co-ordinators including your name, an email address (if you have one) and the group you are interested in joining. Note that you may walk with any of the groups as they are all "open" groups, i.e. not limited by numbers.
Welcome.
If you enjoy country walking and wish to improve your fitness or work off those Seasonal pounds (or kilos) then come and join us!
Every 2nd Wednesday from February through to the end of November:
- Strollers walk of 3-4 miles taken at an easy pace which may involve some stiles and gradients. During the walk a break will be made for refreshments which should be carried by all participants. For specific dates refer to the programme below.
Every Thursday throughout the year there are two longer walks:
- A medium walk of 5–8 miles (avg. 6 miles)
- A long walk of 8–12 miles (avg. 10 miles)
Walk Dates/Programme: June - July 2025
Wednesday - Strollers Group Programme
| Date | Location | Distance | Stile Count | Details |
| *** | August | *** | *** | *** |
| Wed 6th August | Hartington/Beresford Dale | 3.3m/350ft ascent | Zero | Angie Guest Meet Brough Park Oveflow Car Park 10:00am |
| Wed 20th August | Cheddleton | 3-3.5m (mostly flat) | One | Liz Rhodes Meet Brough Park Overflow Car Park 10:00am |
| *** | September | *** | *** | *** |
Wed 3rd September | Berryhill Fields Nature Reserve | 3.0 | Zero | Doreen Turner and Peter Divall Meet Brough Park Overflow Car Park 10:00am |
Wed 17th September | Beresford Dale/Wolfscote Dale Linear Return | 3.0 | 2 | 15/9: WALK CANCELLED |
Thursday - Medium & Long Groups Programme
| Date | Group | Details | Distance/ Height Gained | Leader(s) | Geolocation/Notes |
| Thurs 28th August | Medium | Wormhill/Peter Dale/Tunstead | 5.5 miles / 700ft | Cathy Hallen | Meet Brough Park for 0930 departure or Wormhill phone box/defibrillator above village at 1015. w3w///haystack.monk.zoned. Walk: 2 short rocky and uneven underfoot sections. 5 stiles - 1 awkward. |
| Long | Buxton to Whaley Bridge | 9.25 miles / 1200ft | Pete Calder | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:00 departure or in Buxton on Green Lane close to the junction with Spencer Road (what3words assembles.pressing.linen) for a 9:45 departure. NB this is a linear walk and we will be returning from Whaley Bridge to Buxton by bus or train, ticket fare around £3. | |
| Thurs 4th September | Medium | Little Longstone / Monsal Head and Trail Circ | 5 miles / 750ft | Diane & Patrick Ryan | Meet at Brough Park for 09:30 or 10:20 at Little Longstone (w3w///president.scooter.chatting or PC DE45 1NN). Butts Rd, nr The Packhorse Inn - roadside parking should be available. Walk: Along Monsal Trail, up to Monsal Head and return to start via countryside. Ascent/descent pathway narrow at Monsal Head. Post walk refreshments at The Crispin, Great Longstone. |
| Long | Youlgreave | 10.5 miles / 1200ft | Brian Beech | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:00 departure | |
| Thurs 11th September | Medium | Eyam | 5.5 miles / 950ft | Angie Guest | Meet at Brough Park for 0930 or 1020 at Eyam. Walk ascends up on to Eyam Edge, over Sir William Hill and Eyam Moor - returning via Bretton. Varied terrain: quiet lanes and tracks, moorland and woodland. Fairly steep uphills at the start and some spectacular views. Walk starts from Eyam CP (donation) ///revolting.cookers.candy. PC S32 5QP. |
| Long | Bamford Edge & Stanage Edge | 10 miles / 1800ft | Liz Carpenter | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:00 departure or at Hollin Park Car Park (What3words amused.miles.flock) for a 10:00 departure. Car Park cost - £6.50 | |
| Thurs 18th September | Medium | Hartington/Biggin Dale/Wolfscote Dale/Beresford Dale/Hartington | 6 miles / 518ft | Paul Alcock | Meet at Brough Park for 09:30 departure or 10:00 from walk start at Hartington Car park (cost £2 all day). ///recapture.basket.wonderful. PC SK17 0AZ Walk ascends out of Hartington, ascent up green lane to Reynards Lane, descend down Biggin Dale, Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale and return to Hartington. Medium walk, some rough uneven ground, possibility of livestock, possibly muddy/boggy underfoot. |
| Long | Hope - Mam Tor | 9 miles / 1900ft | Paul Binfield | Meet at Brough Park at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure or at Hope for a 10:00 departure. Parking in Hope at the Old Hall Hotel (what3words chuck.relief.ounce). | |
| Thursday 25th September | Medium | Over Wheal/Taddington/ Deep Dale | 5.7 miles / 900ft | Noel Hughes | Meet at Brough Park at 09:30 departure or 10:15 from walk start NOT Taddington itself but from rough surfaced layby in Sheldon Moor Lane ///tube.cork.herbs. Mainly steady gradients with one short, sharp exception just after the start. |
| Long | Denstone | 8 miles / 700 ft | Gill Kaminski | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:15 departure or at Denstone for a 10:00 start. What3words for parking in Denstone - spinners.years.cost |
The Quite Important Stuff!
[ 1 ] Unless walking conditions are unsafe e.g. due to weather conditions etc., walks take place throughout the year; routes are pre-walked and every care is taken to ensure participant safety. Before starting the walk participants should consult with the leader to ensure that the route is within their own capabilities. Please inform the walk leader of any medical conditions or medicinal requirements which may affect your ability to complete the activity. The U3A cannot be held responsible for any illness, accident or injury arising from participation in this type of activity. If weather conditions on the day are unsuitable the walk leader may substitute an alternative walk at the last minute, therefore it is important to meet initially at Brough Park Overflow Car Park.
[ 2 ] All walkers should wear walking boots/shoes (trainers are generally not considered suitable for the types of terrain the groups traverse, especially during the winter months) and carry their own waterproofs, sit-mat, packed lunch and drink(s) in a suitable rucksack or strong shoulder bag. Rest stops are made during the medium and long walks for a morning coffee break followed by a picnic luncheon stop. During hot weather please ensure you carry adequate liquid refreshments and sun cream, protective hat etc; during cold and/or wet weather ensure that you are suitably dressed for the elements including appropriate thermal/wet weather gear.
In addition to walking boots please bring a spare pair of travelling shoes to avoid muddying car share vehicle interiors.
[ 3 ] A low-cost car sharing scheme is in operation for those who do not drive or prefer to travel with a knowledgeable driver. This system helps to reduce the number of parked vehicles at the walk start. At the drivers discretion costs range between £3-£5 depending on trip distance. When using Pay & Display car parks the charges are usually shared between the vehicle occupants. Occasionally walks are arranged further afield and travel costs will be agreed with driver(s) beforehand.
[ 4 ] Please be aware that dogs are not permitted on these walks. Click on this link to reach the dedicated Leek u3a Dog Friendly Walking Group.
Useful Links and Leaders' Documents
