Single File

Walking Tips

Arrive promptly at the start of a walk, say 15 mins before the start. This way you will have time to be introduced to all the walkers and not delay the start of the walk.

Wear a good pair of walking boots.

Wear a pair of thick walking socks to stop you getting blisters.

If the weather is wet, wear a good waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.

Take water to stop you getting dehydrated. Even in the wet or a hot summers day you can get dehydrated.

Wear a hat in the summer or the winter in the sun or the rain. It helps to stop you from dehydrating and also keeps the rain of your head.

Please pre-book if you would like a Sunday Lunch e.g. Sunday Roast when doing our Sunday walks. This way the walk leader can phone ahead and book a table. Pubs tend to get very busy during Sunday lunchtime and if we don't pre-book a table we cannot guarantee that you will be able to get a seat/table.

Don't try our longer walks until you have done some practice on our normal 5-6 mile walks.

When walking over any distance go at a steady (regular) pace. Slowing down and speed up on a walk will cause you to get more exhausted.

When doing a long walk you may need to take a packed lunch (check with walk leader). We recommend you invest in a backpack to hold your water and packed lunch, as well and any additional supplies.

Try to stay near the walk leaders at the front of the walk. Its always easier to keep up on a walk when you are at the start - not only do you get longer breaks, while waiting for the others to catch up, but you also get to the pub / lunch / break / top of the hill or finish quicker.

Take your mobile phone on the walk for emergencies only. But please switch them off when walking as their is nothing worse than having a phone ring in the middle of the countryside or when you are going up a hill or mountain.

Countryside Code

Always follow the countryside code

The main points in the code are:

Take all litter home with you;

Help to keep all water clean;

Plants and trees should not be picked or destroyed;

Keep dogs under close control;

Fences are there to keep animals in and people out. They are there for safety reasons and should not be crossed;

Do not climb over gates – always open them and always close them behind you;

Chasing, hurting and frightening animals is prohibited. Be sure that dogs are kept on leads when sheep and cattle are around;

Do not pick up lambs, even if it seems that they have lost their mothers. Leave all livestock, crops and machinery alone;

Walk around fields, not across them, as crops may be damaged – keep to public paths;

Guard against all risk of fire;

Try not to make too much noise. Loud noise disturbs both animals and other people;

The Countryside Code includes some personal safety points too:

Wear light coloured clothing, particularly when walking by the roadside;

When on the road, walk in the direction of on coming traffic, making sure that you can see the vehicle as it approaches;

Be aware of fire hazards - do not light fires or drop cigarettes;

Be wary of all the animals you come across

Additional Information

Tell your friends about our walks.

We are always interested in offers of walks, especially in areas we haven’t walked in recently, as well as offers to host events of whatever kind, would be very welcome.

Single File is a Singles walking club and is not geared for families. If you have children that you want to bring along on a walk you MUST check with the walk leader prior to the start of the walk.

If you wish to take your dog on a walk you MUST check with the walk leader prior to the start of the walk. Dogs must be kept under control at all times.

More Tips?

Send us an e-mail if you have any useful walking tips

and we may add them to our list above.