Walk Coordinators	Medium and Short Walkers - Anne Morgan (O7721 O48968) or Donna Alcock (O7988 466792) Long Walkers - Geoff Tideswell (07835 120878) Please ring the relevant Coordinator before joining the group
Walk Leaders	Various, please refer to the calendars below.
Venue	Various. Please meet for registration at Brough Park Overflow Car Park, Leek. (wat3words//:jiffy.nurses.gradually). 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) - Short Group: See programme below for walk start times. Thursdays (weekly) - Medium & Long Groups: See programme below for walk start times.
Transportation	A low cost car sharing scheme is available within each group.
Short Group	3-4 miles; open country walks involving occasional stiles and easy to moderate ascents taken at an easy 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.

Every 2nd Wednesday from February through to the end of November:

• Short 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: July - September 2026

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Wednesday - Short Walks Group Programme

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Date	Location	Distance	Stile Count	Details
Wed 8th July	Rudyard Little Beans Cafe	3 miles	1	Donna Alcock Meet at Brough Park car park at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure.
Wed 22nd July	Knypersley Pool	3 miles	0	Phil Egerton Meet at Brough Park at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure.
Wed 5th August	Astbury Country Park / Congleton Circular	3.5 miles	0	Phil Egerton Meet at Brough Park at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure Recommend long trousers for comfort (nettles) Car Park charge: £1.50
Wed 19th August	Westport Lake	3.5 miles	0	Liz Rhodes Meet at Brough Park at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure Flat walk. Car Park charge: £1.60
Wed 2nd Sept	Ford Green Country Park	3.5 miles	0	2/9: WALK CANCELLED DUE TO PERSISTENT HEAVY RAINFALL
Wed 16th Sept	Biddulph Country Park	3 miles	1	Mary Wiles Meet at Brough Park at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure. Some park paths, some road walking up to old hall and around poolfold. A couple of steepish bits including steps. 1 easy stile. Toilets at walk start and finish. Cafe will be closed.

Thursday - Medium & Long Walk Groups Programme

Date	Group			Details		Distance/ Height Gained	Leader(s)	Geolocation/Notes
13th August	Medium			Flagg - Hard Rake Reservoir - Monyash*		Grade 2 5.3 miles / 350ft	Noel & Pam Hughes	THIS WALK IS CANCELLED DUE TO HEATWAVE
	Long			Steel to Cotton Trail Part 5 Bamford to Edale		Grade 5 10 miles / 1100ft	Geoff Tideswell	Meet at Brough Park for a 8:20 departure or at Edale Railway Station Car Park (what3words everybody.pokes.yards) for a 9:20 departure.
20th August	Medium			Errwood Hall + Shining Tor		Grade 3 5.5 miles / 1000ft	Shirley Corbishley	Meet at Brough Park Overflow Car Park (w3w//:jiffy.nurses.gradually) for 09:15 for a 09:30 prompt departure or 10:00 at Street parking at (w3w//:paper.thrusters.chat). Car park free of charge. Lovely views, mainly good paths underfoot. No stiles. Steep hill incline. Walking sticks advisable.
	Long			Gun Hill		Grade 5 10 Miles / 500ft	Julie Hughes	Meet at Brough Park for a 9:15 departure or at Rudyard Lake Hotel Car Park (what3words attitudes.become.shelf) for a 9:30 departure.
27th August	Medium			Derwent Valley Heritage Way - 1st leg		Grade 3 5.5 miles / 428ft	Cathy Hallen	Meet at Brough Park Overflow Car Park (w3w//:jiffy.nurses.gradually) for 08:45 for a prompt 09:00 departure for Heatherdene Car Park, Hope Valley. CP cost £7 for 4hrs. w3w//: desiring.drizzly.shapes. Anyone not meeting at Brough Park let Cathy know and she will meet you at walk end final destination at The Plough Inn, Hathersage to drive to walk start. w3w//:will.silk.sundial. We park here for 4+hrs cost £7. We can park there if we register our cars on the computer in the bar. A linear walk which starts at Ladybower Dam and follows the river and beyond. We will leave cars at the end of the walk to take drivers back to the start to pick up their cars. Easy walking along tracks and through fields. No stiles. ANYONE INTENDING TO WALK BUT NOT MEET AT BROUGH PARK PLEASE CONTACT WALK LEADER
	Long			Monyash and Magpie Mine		Grade 5 9 miles / 120ft	Geoff Tideswell	Meet at Brough Park for a 9:15 departure or at Monyash Car Park (what3words blissful.younger.reshape) for a 9:45 start.
3rd Sept	Medium			Middleton by Youlgreave Bradford Dale, Long Dale + Gratton Dale		Grade 3 6.6 miles / 853ft	Anne Morgan	Meet at Brough Park Overflow Car Park at 09:15 (w3w//:jiffy.nurses.gradually) for a 09:30 departure or at walk start in Middleton for 10:10 w3w//:card.cult.huts in the village centre, parking on road. 5 stiles and a few climbs and descents into and out of dales, but nothing strenuous. + "several sites of interest".
	Long			Steel to Cotton Trail Part 6 Grindleford to Hope		Grade 5 8.5 miles / 800ft	Geoff Tideswell	Meet at Brough Park for a 8:30 departure or at Hope Train Station (what3words misty.differ.ages) in order to catch the 9:39 train to Grindleford.
10th Sept	Medium			Dimmingsdale/Alton		Grade 3 6 miles	Roger Coleman	Meet at Brough Park Overflow Car Park at 09:15 (w3w//:jifffy.nurses.gradually) for a 09:30 departure or 10:00 at walk start at Ramblers Retreat car park at ST10 4BU. w3w://behaving.indicates.object. Walk has 1 stile. Toothill can be abit demanding for some, but you can walk around road and wait at Talbot pub by the river.
	Long			Edale and Kinder		Grade 6 9.8 miles / 2100 ft	Liz Carpenter	Meet at Brough Park for a 9:00 departure or at Edale Car Park (what3words cheeks.sandals.hourglass) £6.80 for 10 hours, for a 9:45 start.
17th Sept	Medium			Bosley Reservoir and Bosley Locks		Grade 4 6.0 miles /685 ft ascent	Ann Dickinson	Meet at Brough Park Overflow Car Park at 09:15 (w3w//:jiffy.nurses.gradually) for a 09:30 departure or 10:00 at walk start at The Harrington Arms, Bosley, SK11 0PH w3w//:cherished.testy.slug. There is ample parking at the Harrington Arms, with landlord's consent. Varied walk over fields, reservoir, woods and canal. All fairly sound underfoot. We will be crossing 3 fairly busy roads and will for a short distance walk in single file. As some paths are slightly overgrown the wearing of trousers may be a good idea. 3 stiles. Due to Nat. Grid roadworks, the road between Heaton and Sugar Lane is closed from 14-19 Sept. Access to the Harrington Arms will be by staying on the A523 around Rudyard, not by using the Leek Old Road (over the top, pass Barnswood Scout Camp).
	Long			Oakamoor and Rocester		Grade 5 11 miles / 1000ft	Brian Beech	Meet at Brough Park for a 9:15 departure or at the Rambler's Retreat Car Park (what3words berated.spud.parting) for a 9:45 start. Some paths are neglected and overgrown so trousers, rather than shorts, are advised.

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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.

Risk Assesment Guidelines

The objective of this checklist is to 

1. Give walkers an indication of what they can expect to encounter on the proposed walk.
2. Help walk leaders in the planning and preparation for a group walk.  This isn't an exhaustive list, so think carefully about any specific risks that participants may encounter so that they can assess whether a walk is suitable for their personal abilities.  

Grade	Description
Grade 1	Distance of less than 4 miles Flat walk but possible ascent to less than 150m. Mostly well surfaced footpaths, possibly some uneven ground. Easy route - possible stiles and gates. Possibility of livestock.
Grade 2	As described in Grade 1 Plus crossing main A roads Ascent of over 150m Some rough footpaths and undulating terrain A few difficult stiles and gates
Grade 3	Ascent up to 985ft / 300m Distance of between 5-7 miles Some uneven /rough footpaths and tracks Some undulating terrain Possibility of some livestock Possibility of awkward stiles and gates Possible muddy/boggy conditions underfoot Some country lane walking
Grade 4	Ascent up to 1640ft / 500m Distance of between 5-7 miles Rough or indistinct footpaths Awkward stiles and gates, difficult to negotiate Some poor walking conditions underfoot Livestock present Stretches of walking on main road possible
Grade 5	Ascent up to 1640ft / 500m Distance of between 8-12 miles Undulating terrain with some open moorland, varied terrains and meadows Footpaths including those that are rough or indistinct Country lanes and roads Stiles and gates - some of which may be awkward or in a state of poor repair Bridges over streams by stepping stones Possibly sections that are muddy or boggy
Grade 6	As described in Grade 5 Plus an ascent that could  be greater than 1640ft / 500m It could involve some or all of the aspects listed in grade 3 It may also have a particularly difficult feature - such as a very steep ascent or descent, scrambling etc - this aspect will  be identified by the walk leader and stated in the description of the walk

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Useful Links and Leaders' Documents