Walking in Derbyshire

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The County Walking Team is a group of people who enjoy walking and the outdoors. Anyone is welcome as a member of the team and we can help you in a variety of ways:

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• Promoting walking locally and in the County

• Taking units out on walks if asked

• Helping & encouraging leaders to gain walking qualifications

• Organising challenges for girls and adults

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Walking Qualifications & Training

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If you are interested in gaining a walking qualification contact the County Walking Adviser:

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Walking adviser - Danielle Watson

walking@girlguidingderbyshire.org

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Walking MythBusters

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I can’t walk without a walking qualification

Depending on the terrain, you don’t need a walking qualification to take your girls walking. For Easy and Lowland country qualifications are advised, but not essential.  This means that you can take you girls walking in areas such as parks, local woods, lanes, and nature trails. For a more adventurous walk you can go for a walk in lowland country!

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My local area is too high above sea level for lowland country

Lowland country doesn’t mean low in height above sea level but is more about the type of terrain. These walks may require you to use a map and compass but must follow clearly defined paths and be always within 3km of a car park or layby. The weather must not be extreme, and the terrain must not present any great problems. Avoid steep slopes, cliff edges and water hazards. If you are unsure if the area is lowland country, you can check the walking scheme, or send me an email and I’d be happy to help.

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I need the Walking Level 2 Qualification to walk in Open Country

To walk in Open Country, you will need someone with a walking level 2 qualification to join you but that doesn’t need to be you. There may be others in the county with the right qualifications who could join you. Your commissioner may know someone who has a walking qualification, or you can email me, and I can put you in touch with someone.

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Training

If you’d like to gain more confidence and experience to take your unit walking you could complete the Out and About Training for Easy Country or Walking Level 1 Training for Lowland Country.

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Remember!

Always risk assess your walk and walk within your limits, ask for help/advice if you are unsure. If you have any questions, you can send me an email and I’m always happy to help. For more information on the classification of different terrain, there is a useful page on the website.

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Training dates

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We run regular Level 1 Walking training sessions.

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For the latest county training dates and application forms, visit our events page.

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Level 2 training is organised at Regional level - look out for these events on the Girlguiding Midlands Events page.

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Water Safety Training is required by everyone doing a walking qualification.

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For more information, contact the county walking adviser.

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County Walks

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County walks are varied in length and in types of country. Walks are open to everyone including family members. They give opportunities to gain skills for walking qualifications and to explore parts of the County you may not have visited before. 

 

If you would like to join us on any of the county walks, please contact the walking adviser.

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Sunday 3rd April - Ecclesbourne River 

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The next county walk will be a shorter social walk along the Ecclesbourne river, starting from Duffield following the river out of the village, then returning alongside the railway. The walk will be 3 miles and at a relaxed pace. All abilities, family, friends and dogs are welcome. The walk will start from Duffield Eyes Meadow Carpark (DE56 4GE) at 1.30pm. Please click here to book

 

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Saturday 30th April - Carsington Water

 

For April’s second county walk we will be walking the perimeter of Carsington Water. The walk is 8 miles, but easy terrain under foot. All abilities, family, friends and dogs are welcome. Please meet at the entrance to the main visitor centre (DE6 1ST) at 9.45am for a 10am start. Please click here to book

 

 

Sunday 29th May - Shining Tor / Goyt Valley

 

The third walk is on 29th May and will start in the Goyt Valley and we will walk up to Shining Tor and along the ridge to Pym’s Chair before walking back down into the Goyt Valley. The route is 7 miles, and includes a longer incline at the start of the walk. We will take this at a steady pace, and the views are well worth it at the top! All abilities, family, friends and dogs are welcome. Due to ground nesting bird season all dogs will need to be kept on a lead for the duration of the walk. The walk will start from Errwood Reservoir carpark (SK17 6GJ), at 9.15 am to start walking at 9.30am.  Please click here to book