Walks April - June 2007 Plus additional July dates for your diary
Sunday April 8th 2007 - Little Compton to Long Compton
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: 7 1/2 miles From LittleCompton to Long Compton following the Warwickshire / Oxford border.
Start Point: 11am Reed College besdie St Denys' Church at Little Compton Centre car park.
Leader: Steve Bick
Sunday April 15th 2007 - Charlbury and the Oxfordshire Cotswolds
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: A 10 mile circular walk around Charlbury. Nestled in the Evenlode Valley, it's a great starting point to enjoy the area. This walk takes in part of the Wychwood Way.
Start Point: 10:30 outside The Bull Inn, Sheep Street, Charlbury. Free parking on street, or in Spendlove Centre car park. Click here for start point map
Leader: Craig Desjardins
Sunday April 22nd 2007 - Temple Balsall, Knowle & Barston - a Grand Union
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: A leisurely 7 mile walk to the east of Knowle starting at Temple Balsall taking in a stretch of the Grand Union canal and passing by Barston then back for tea and cake here
Start Point: 10:30 at the car park in Temple Balsall Click here for start point map
Leader: Cliff Ainsworth
Saturday April 28th 2007 - Cycling at Leamington Harbury & Ufton
Grade: Not Walking !
Info: Starting at Heathcote Inn, Whitnash, Leamington Spa (down the Tachbrook Road) @ 10:30 cycling (walking with wheels) between 17 & 20 miles on road, bridleway and tow path through Leamington, Harbury and Ufton
Start Point: 10:30 Heathcote Inn, Whitnash, Leamington Spa (down the Tachbrook Road)
Leader: Steve Bick
Sunday April 29th 2007 - Welford on Avon and Stratford upon Avon
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: 11.5 mile walk starting in Welford on Avon, visiting Stratford upon Avon before heading back to Welford along the River Avon.
Start Point: CHANGED Due to the Stratford Marathon running through Welford on Sunday the start point for the walk has now moved to outside the church in Binton a small village just above Welford at 10:30am. Please park responsibily on the roadside.
Leader: Kate Westlake
New Addition Monday May 7th 2007 - Malvern Hills
Grade: M2 (explained here)
Info: 11 miles Classic walk in the Malverns taking in the Worcestershire Beacon
Start Point: 10:30 North Hill car park, Malvern Click here for start point map
Leader: Andrew Kennard a.kennard@btinternet.com
Friday May 11th 2007 - Lake District Weekend - Langdale Peaks
Grade: D3 (explained here)
Info: 10.5 miles taking in the Langdale peaks. Following rocky paths over Bow Fell, Esk Pike and Crinkle Crags, making a total assent of 1285m. This is a great walk for exploring the corries and crags of the Langdales, there are several steep sections with 1 easy scramble. All this provides a great day on the peaks with fabulous views across the Lakes.
This walk is part of a weekend away. Staying in Ambleside from Thursday to Saturday night, to allow for three days walking. We will book the YHA on a shared dorm basis, or book your own B&B. Please let us know by 20th April by email if you are coming and interested in the YHA bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk
Start Point: 10.00am Old Dungeon Ghyll Car Park, Click here for start point map
Leader: Steve Bick
Saturday May 12th 2007 - Lake District Weekend - Fairfield
Grade: D3 (explained here)
Info: 10 to 11.5 miles, Fairfield from Ambleside Following easy paths this walks leaves Ambleside to venture up the slops to capture the peak of Fairfield. Providing fantastic view of the southern and Eastern lakes, the path back down allows if time to nip into Grasmere for Ginger Bread (extra 1.5 miles but well worth it!). This walk is part of a weekend away. Staying in Ambleside from Thursday to Saturday night, to allow for three days walking. We will book the YHA on a shared dorm basis, or book your own B&B. Please let us know by 20th April by email if you are coming and interested in the YHA bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk
Start Point: 10.00am Ambleside YHA Click here for start point map
Leader: Steve Bick
Sunday May 13th 2007 - Lake District Weekend - Cockley Beck
Grade: M3 (explained here)
Info: 7.5 miles, Cockley Beck by Coniston. A wilder route off the main tourist paths following rough unpathed terrain and some paths with steep slopes. His walk takes in the wild side of the Langdales, with again some of the finest views.
This walk is part of a weekend away. Staying in Ambleside from Thursday to Saturday night, to allow for three days walking. We will book the YHA on a shared dorm basis, or book your own B&B. Please let us know by 20th April by email if you are coming and interested in the YHA bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk
Start Point:10.00am, Cockley Beck Click here for start point map
Leader: Steve Bick
Saturday 19th May 2007 - Walk & Curry
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: Start 5pm for a 5 mile walk taking in Clent Hill and Walton Hill. Start Point: Clent Parish Church, Clent Village Grid Ref: SO928794. Parking On street - best parking on road travelling south-west from Church towards Holy CrossAfterwards: Curry at Jaipur Cottage opposite church @ 08:00. Need to know numbers by Saturday 12th May. bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk
Leader: Liz Mckay Click here for start point map
Sunday May 20th 2007 – Anyone for ice cream in Henley in Arden?
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: An 11 mile walk with a purpose. Starting from the public car park to the east of the main high street (just behind) in Henley accessed from the A4189 this route follows sections of the Heart of England, Arden, and Monarch Ways taking in beautiful countryside and Wootton Wawen on route finishing back for ice cream in Henley
Start Point: 10:30 public car park to the east of the main high street (just behind) in Henley accessed from the A4189 Click here for start point map
Leader: Dave Searle
Postponed until next programme
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: Much of this 7 mile walk follows Evenlode Valley, via easy paths and lanes, through quiet villages offering a remote feeling on the Gloucestershire\Oxford border.
Start Point: 10.30am Village Hall car park at Adlestrop Click here for start point map
Leader: Steve Bick
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: A Figure of eight around Knightwick. A 10 mile undulating walk through hops and fruit territory, with fields of pasture and woodlands on some of the hills. Those wishing to walk 6 miles are more than welcome to as the walk passes the car park at this point.
Start Point: Meet: Outside The Talbot, Knightwick at 11:00am update Walkers can park in the Knightwick Surgery car park. To get to the surgery take the first turning on the right after the road signed B4197 to Knightwick (if you are heading from Worcester). The postcode for the surgery is WR6 5PH. Click here for start point map
Leader: Kate Westlake
Tuesday June 5th 2007 – A Walk in Coventry's Ancient Arden
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: A 4.5 mile walk through the landscape of the present day parish of Allesley, brought into Coventry in 1974, with origins dating back to at least the Anglo-Saxon period. This area, together with the adjoining Keresley parish, forms the largest extent of open countryside within the City boundary, and considering its close proximity to the built-up area, has a very strong rural character. The landscape is especially significant, as it forms part of the only remaining unspoilt area of ancient countryside left in the historic County of Warwickshire.
Start Point: The walk starts from Pikers Lane, just north of Hawkes End. Park on the verge where the infant River Sherbourne flows under Pikers Lane, 7:30pm Click here for start point map
Leader: Michael Potter
Sunday June 10th 2007 - Andoversford and around the Cotswolds
Grade: M2 (explained here)
Info: An 11 mile classic Cotswolds outing following the natural line which circumnavigates the upper River Colne Valley taking in Shipton, Withington, the hamlet of Woodbridge, Withington Woods before climaxing at Kilkenny Hill.
Start Point: 10:30 Andoversford - Park in Station Road meeting at Gloucester Road end Click here for start point map
Leader: Andrew Kennard a.kennard@btinternet.com
Sunday June 17th 2007 - Kingswood and Packwood
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: A delightful 7 mile walk along the Stratford upon Avon canal from Lapworth, crossing grassy paths to Packwood. This walk explores some of the diversity in the villages, passing churches and houses that are claimed as the finest in the county.
Start Point: 10:30. Car park at Kingswood Junction, Lapworth Click here for start point map
Leader: Steve Bick
Friday June 29th 2007 - Hanbury
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: A 4-5 mile walk around Hanbury, Worcestershire. Start point Vernon Arms Pub in middle of Hanbury on B4090. On street parking in village. Afterwards back to Liz's for tea and cakes!
Start Point: Vernon Arms Pub in middle of Hanbury on B4090. On street parking in village 7:00pm Click here for start point map
Leader: Liz Mckay
CHANGED due to flooding !
Grade: M2 (explained here)
Info: An 11 mile walk including attractive villages and glorious Cotswold countryside. Bourton-on-the-Water.
Start Point: Public pay-and-display car park adjacent to Birdland which is signed on all major routes into Click here for start point map
Leader: Steve Bick
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: 7.5 miles Starting from the public car park to the east of the main high street (just behind) accessed from the A4189 turning near and on the same side of the Ford Garage (follow road through housing area) this route takes you to the East of the town follows sections of the Heart of England way hopefully taking in beautiful dry countryside!
Start Point: 2pm (NOTE TIME – walk should take 3-4 hours) Starting from the public car park to the east of the main high street Click here for start point map
Leader: Michael Potter
Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th July – Snowdonia/Mid Wales
Grade: Sat E3 / Sun M3 (explained here)
Info: Saturday 11:30 Starting at Minffordd this route continues through superb mountain scenery crossing the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch en-route to Cadair Idris, the most mountainous southerly ridge of the Snowdonia National Park. This route starts at the car park (WC available) at Minffordd (grid ref. SH732115) and follows a well maintained path for most of the ascent. Lunch is planned just over one mile into the walk at the lake overshadowed by Cadiar Idris. Please note assent is 2885 feet / 874 metres though but number of miles only 6.5! Part of a weekend we should be staying at Kings YHA Dolgellau unless you would like to make your own Click here for start point map
Sunday 9:30 Taking you to the summit of Aran Fawddwy this is one of the great walks of Snowdonia. Starting in dramatic Cwm Cywarch, this walk gets away from the crowds and nearly reaches 3000 ft. The scenery is superb with deep valleys and rolling hills the main characteristic of the area. There is a ten mile linear walk from another direction taking you to Aran Fawddwy if wanted To reach the start, turn off the A458 Welshpool to Dolgellau road at Dinas Mawddwy and follow the narrow lane up the valley of Cwm Cywarch to reach an open area of grass where parking is available. The early start time reflects the limited car parking spaces and allows for the opportunity to either get away earlier to visit somewhere else while in the area. Part of a weekend we should be staying at Kings YHA Dolgellau unless you would like to make your own arangements. Click here for start point map
Leader: Michael Potter
Sunday July 15th 2007 - Blenheim Palace and Combe
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: A 7 mile walk starting in the village of Combe, Oxfordshire passing through the grounds of Blenheim Palace, then including a section of the Oxfordshire Way. Route can be extended thought concensus of walkers Start point:
Start Point:10:30 Village green, Combe. Parking spaces in the centre.bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk
Leader: Craig Desjardins