| 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. 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.
Welcome !
If you enjoy country walking and wish to improve your fitness then come and join us!
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: September - October 2025
Wednesday - Short Walks Group Programme
| Date | Location | Distance | Stile Count | Details |
| Wed 1st April | Timbersbrook + Cheshire Ring Canal | 2.7 miles | 1 | Mary Wiles Meet Brough Park Overflow Car Park 10:00 for 10:30 departure. |
| Wed 15th April | Fernilee Reservoir | 3.3 miles | 0 | Pam + Noel Hughes Meet Brough Park Overflow Car Park 10:00 for 10:30 departure. G2 + 415ft ascent. |
| Wed 29th April | Berryfields Circular Walk | 3miles | 0 | Doreen Turner + Peter Divall Meet Brough ParkOverflow Car Park 10:00 for 10:30 departure. G2 |
| Wed 13th May | Spring River walk from Youlgreave | 3 miles | 0 | Angie Guest Meet Brough Park Overflow Car Park 10:15 for 10:30 departure. G2 + short incline back up to village |
| Wed 27 May | Biddulph Valley Way/Country Park | 3 miles Grade 2 | 0 | Liz Rhodes Meet at Brough Park Overflow car park at 10:15 for 10:30 departute. 2 slight inclines + a short ascent of steps. |
| Wed 10th June | Deep Hayes Country Park | 3.5 miles | 0 | Mary Wiles Meet at Brough Park car park at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure. The walk has 1 stile. |
Thursday - Medium & Long Walk Groups Programme
| Date | Group | Details | Distance/ Height Gained | Leader(s) | Geolocation/Notes | |||
| 7th May | Medium | Scholar Green | Grade 2 6 miles / 200ft + | Cathy Hallen | Meet at BP for 9.30 departure or at the Bleeding Wolf, Scholar Green. w3w: late.unusually.testy. Pls use as few cars as possible & park at back of CP. Bluebell walk along towpath fields and lanes. 3 stiles | |||
| Long | Steel to Cotton Part 2 | Grade 5 10 miles / 650 ft | Geoff Tideswell | If you wish to join this walk then please contact Geoff Tideswell (07835 120878) to discuss travel arrangements. | ||||
| 14th May | Medium | Long Rake/Youlgreave/Alport/Moor Lane Circ Walk | Grade 3 5.76 miles / 637 ft | Paul Alcock | Meet at Brough Park for 09:30 departure or 10:00 at Long Rake parking on roadside FOC (not Peak District Nat Park pay & display site) ///w3w:awaited.forces.weeds. Descend to Bradford River via Limestone Way, past Youlgreave, on to Alport and ascent back up too Long Rake an Long Lane. Approx 12 gap stiles. Paul taking walking poles. Mostly walking across fields and alongside river. Some on road walking. | |||
| Long | Cheshire View | Grade 5 10.5 miles / 1400 ft | Yvonne Mawby | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:15 departure or at Cheshire View layby (what3words cheer.bits.taxi) for a 10:00 departure. | ||||
| 21st May | Medium | Dales Walk from Tideswell | Grade 3 6.5 miles 850 ft | Angie Guest | Meet at Brough Park for 09:30 prompt departure or at Tideswell at 10:10. W3w://napped.quail.assess. Walk follows a high level route giving spectacular views across Cressbrook, Ravensdale and Millers Dale. The terrain is varied. Total stiles: 6 up and over. Park on the roadside on entering Horse & Jocky pub on the left. | |||
| Long | Ridgegate Reservoir and Crocker Hill | Grade 5 9.5 miles / 1400 ft | Linda Ball | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:15 departure or at the Leather Smithy end of the Ridgegate Reservoir (what3words stag.grocers.hiding) for a 10:00 departure. | ||||
| 28th May | Medium | Ramblers Retreat | 6 miles / 623ft | Roger Coleman | Meet at Brough Park for 09:30 prompt departure or 10:15 at Ramblers Retreat car park ST10 4BU. W3W behaving.indicates.object. Mostly easy walking × 1 stile. Toothill can be abit tough but you can around the road and wait for the rest of us at the Talbot pub by the river. | |||
| Long | Hartington | Grade 5 9.8 miles / 1250 ft | Liz Carpenter | Meet at Brought Park for a 9:15 departure or at Hartington for a 9:45 departure. Public Car Park in Hartington £2 (cash) or £2.20 (card) what3words save.something.observe | ||||
| 4th June | Medium | River Dane, Cartlidge Wood and Broomhill | Grade 3 6.25 miles / 970ft | Peter Wiles | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:30 departure or at Danebridge for a 10:00 start. Park on the road below the Ship Inn (what3words destroyer.violinist.punctual) Mainly footpaths and fields, , a couple of which are lumpy. The going should be firm, with wooden plank bridges over the only soggy bits. The number of stiles is well into double figures, but nothing too onerous. | |||
| Long | Hartington | Grade 5 10 miles/ 1200ft | Brian Chadwick | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:30 departure or in Hartington for a 10:00 departure. Parking in Hartington is on the side of the road (Hall Bank) close to the Youth Hotel (what3words scores.glosses.outsmart) | ||||
| 11th June | Medium | Errwood Hall and Cat's Tor | Grade 4 5 Miles / 1000ft | Shirley Corbishley | Meet at Brough Park for a 9:30 departure or at The Street (what3words paper.thrusters.chats) for a 10:00 departure. No stiles. Sticks advisable. | |||
| Long | Ashbourne to Waterhouses | Grade 5 10 miles/ 1500 ft | Alison Dodd | Meet at Brough Park for a 8:45 departure or at the car park behind the Waterhouses Medical Practice for a 9:10 departure. We will then catch the 9:21 bus to Ashbourne and walk back. If you have a bus pass then bring it along! |
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
- Give walkers an indication of what they can expect to encounter on the proposed walk.
- 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 |
Useful Links and Leaders' Documents
