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
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Taking units out on walks if asked
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Helping & encouraging leaders to gain walking qualifications
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Organising challenges for girls and adults
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Walking Qualifications & Training
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26th April 2025 – Bakewell and the Monsal Trail
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Length – 7.5km (4.5 miles) Height climbed – 120m
April’s county walk will start from Bakewell. We’ll join onto the Monsall trail, before climbing up for views over Haddon Hall. We’ll then drop down to the River Wye, and follow it back to Bakewell. Due to parking being busy in Bakewell, please arrive at 8.45, for a 9am start. We will finish walking by 11.30, giving you the afternoon to explore Bakewell.
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Please bring a snack and hot drink with you, and wear walking boots or sturdy trainers. Dogs on a short lead are welcome.
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Start/finish: Bakewell Bridge car park, DE45 1AQ https://maps.app.goo.gl/z8Vg6D8LGx5sfyVE6
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To book please CLICK HERE
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3rd May 2025 – Alston Rock
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Length – 11.4km (7.2 miles) Height climbed – 340m
For May’s county walk we will be starting from Ogston Reservoir and exploring the surrounding countryside, to find our way to Alston Rock. On Alston Rock we’ll find a trig point and hopefully lovely views. Please arrive at 9.45, to start walking at 10am. We should be finished by 2.30pm.
Please bring snacks, water, lunch, and wear walking boots. Dogs on a short lead are welcome.
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Start/finish: Ogston Reservoir West Car Park, DE55 6FN https://maps.app.goo.gl/2f162J5mtjbbpP39A
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To book please CLICK HERE
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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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2023 dates to follow
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