Walk Leader’s Checklist

The Ramblers’ Association Walks Leader Handbook and very useful pocket Checklist are the definitive sources of information about leading Ramblers’ walks.  Further useful information about Walk Leadership is available here.  

You MUST be a current Ramblers Association member and a registered Ramblers’ Volunteer Leader for High Weald Walkers to lead a walk.  New Leaders must complete the Association’s Walk Leader training before leading their first walk.  

High Weald Walkers guidelines follow.

  • Use a map, guidebook, website or any combination of these.  Make sure the start point is easily accessible with adequate parking, ideally free.  
  • Walk the full route, note critical navigation points, assess risks, adjust route if necessary, check timings, check rest, refreshment and toilet stops
  • Contact lunch venue or car park owner if required

  • Send details of the walk to nextwalks@highwealdwalkers.org.uk following the usual format, i.e. start location and timing, length of walk and any difficulty, pub or picnic, any special points, e.g. tea after and provide your mobile telephone number.

  • Check personal gear, including  a First Aid kit and visibility aids
  • Appoint a backmarker
  • Welcome walkers and brief on any special walk details and risks
  • Count the party, agree the number with a backmarker, and signal the start of the walk

  • Check everyone has returned and can get home
  • Report any incidents and obstructions to HWW Group Officers

Cancelling a walk at short notice should be avoided if at all possible.  If there is no option but to cancel a walk, the leader must:

  • Contact their Group’s Walks Coordinator
  • Make all reasonable efforts to contact members, by telephone or email; the Coordinator should be able to help with contact details.  
  • Ask nextwalks@highwealdwalkers.org.uk to post a message on the website

Please make sure all walkers are fit enough to undertake the walk, are wearing suitable footwear and clothing for the walk and have some food and drink with them. Ensure they abide by any advice and guidelines issued by the walk leader.  Leaders should refuse to accept participants who, in their opinion, are inadequately equipped or unfit.

To meet Ramblers’ safeguarding requirements, walkers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult who holds parental responsibility.