What should I wear?
Walking in South Shropshire can be challenging in Winter and early Spring. With its quickly-changing and vastly varying weather means that you really need to be prepared for every eventuality and you may find you have to take far more than you need just to cover all weather eventualities in the same day. The Ramblers What to Wear page offers excellent practical advice on clothing, equipment and safety.
The secret to enjoying walking is being comfortable. In addition to the usual gear, consider bringing along a mat or plastic sheet to sit on and pack it all into a backpack to leave your hands free. Some people find a walking poles useful on those steep uphills or on slippery descents.
Boots or stout walking shoes are advisable for the majority of walks. Waterproof jackets more or less essential all year round and are much more comfortable if they are made of breathable material.
Several light layers of clothing are better than one heavy one as they allow more flexibility and mean you can de-layer as you get warm.
A hat and gloves in your rucksack are always useful.
If you are getting a car lift, please bring a spare pair of shoes with you to leave in the car so you can change out of your muddy boots at the end of the walk.
- Details
- Category: Walk Q&As
Walk Leaders
Can I Lead a walk?
Anyone can volunteer to be a Walk Leader. The quality of the programme depends on members leading walks.
South Shropshire is a members' group. Many members feel move involved and have a greater sense of ownership of the group by making an input to the Walks Programme.
The group needs a variety of walks, long and short distance. As well as Leisurely Rambles and more challenging Strenous mountain days. All walks are welcomed and input to the Walks Programme is actively encouraged.
Walk themes
Many members have a wealth of local and historical knowledge and use this as a basis for a walk plan. Several members have botanical or fauna expertise and work that into the walk.
Whatever your interest it will form an interesting walk for the group.
Planning to Lead
If you feel less confident in yur navigation skills then contact the Walks Programme Secretary. They will put you in contact with an experienced navigator who may even accompany you on a test run of your walk, just to test the route.
South Shropshire Ramblers offers a lot of support to new Walk Leaders, so if you want to share a walk which is special to you then add it to the Walk Programme by emailing
- Details
- Category: Walk Q&As
Walk Descriptions Explained
All South Shropshire walks adopt the Ramblers walk grading system. With some local modifications. The three grades most frequently used are Leisurely, Moderate or Strenous:
Easy Access - walks for everyone, including people with conventional wheelchairs and pushchairs, using easy access paths. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Assistance may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections.
Easy - walks for anyone who does not have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem or is seriously unfit. Suitable for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Usually flat walking and taken very leisurely.
Leisurely - walks for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. May include unsurfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended. Some modest hills and possibly rough ground.
Moderate - walks for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. Includes a substansial steep hill or a lot of moderate hills. Ascent <600m.
Strenuous - walks for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. May include hills and rough country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. Challenging hills/mountains. Ascent >600m.
Technical - walks for experienced and very fit walkers with additional technical skills. May require scrambling and use of ice axes and crampons.
You may occassionally see a Moderate+ grading in the programme, this indicates that generally the walk is Moderate, but come prepared for a steep ascent at some point in the walk.
- Details
- Category: Walk Q&As