About us
The Chiltern Young Walkers are a friendly and sociable walking group aimed at people in their 20s, 30s, a little beyond and run by volunteers. We love to discover new places and share the stunning views we know with others through walks every weekend. From leisurely 5 miles strolls to strenuous 15+ mile hikes in the Chiltern Hills of Buckinghamshire and West Hertfordshire, often within 30 minutes from Aylesbury, Hemel Hempstead or High Wycombe. Join us to exercise in the countryside, expand your social scene, explore the fantastic scenery on your doorstep or further afield and have fun, we look forward to seeing you soon!
Join the CYW Facebook group
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Visit Chiltern Young Walkers website
We are part of and funded by the Ramblers, Britain's biggest and most vibrant walking community and a charity working to open the way for everyone to enjoy the simple pleasures of walking. We step up to protect the places we all love to wander. You are free to enjoy three different events before you decide to join us as a full member.
Make new friends
We are over 150 people from their 20s, 30s and a little beyond who enjoy walking and socialising. Most of our walks end at the pub, a great way to get to know fellow members. You will see familiar faces and often meet new people each time you come. Along with our walks, we have an active socials programme with regular pub nights and other social events.
Weekends Away
We explore the UK with occasional weekends away including seaside trips, long-distance trails and mountain hikes. We organise some weekend trips within easy reach of the Chilterns, without the need to take time off work, recent examples include the Cotswolds and the South Downs. Some trips to places such as the Peak District, the Lake District, Wales, or the Scottish Highlands offer more challenging mountainous walking in spectacular scenery.
### Join Our Tribe as Part of the Ramblers
Try us for free
We will welcome you on any walk; just choose one suitable for you. RSVP to one of our walks on Meetup and just turn up. You are free to enjoy three different events before you make it official and join us as a member. We look forward to meeting you on a walk soon.
#### Affordable Membership Options
Discover Great Value Enjoyed up to three trial walks with us? Make it official and become a Ramblers member. For £3.75 per month (or £45 per year) for an individual or £5.08 per month (or £61 per year) for two adults at the same address, join ***CYW ***with no extra charge. Concessionary discounts make membership accessible.
#### How to Join
Visit Ramblers Website "Join the Ramblers" In the final step after payment, select our group to ensure a seamless connection with us.
Group Selection Check the "Your Group" section - ensure "Buckinghamshire, West Middlesex, and Milton Keynes" is in the 'Area' box. Choose "Chiltern Young Walkers" in the 'Group' box so we can become connected.
Join us Today
### Exclusive Access with Ramblers Membership
- Exclusive Events Participate in weekends away and members-only events, creating lasting memories with fellow members.
- Unlock the Ramblers App Gain exclusive access to fresh air at your fingertips with a library jam-packed with over 4000 tried-and-tested quality Ramblers Routes, and enjoy the perks of being part of a vibrant community.
- Access Walks Nationwide Enjoy unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks across the country.
- Discounts on Gear Save on walking gear and gadgets with a 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor and select outdoor stores by presenting your Ramblers membership card.
- Be inspired by stories of places, people, and campaigns in our quarterly Walk and South-East Walker magazines.
- Get Involved Have your say at the group AGM or consider joining the team.
- Insurance Cover Public Liability Insurance when you lead a walk for us
- Access and Conservation Be a driving force behind increasing access to green spaces, improving countryside, opening up more places to walk and boosting Britain’s wellbeing one step at a time and supporting campaigns like Don't Lose Your Way to save 49,000 miles of unrecorded paths.
Please note:
- We advertise our walks in a number of places and you may find other walkers on each walk in addition to those you see on meetup.
- Chiltern Young Walkers is part of The Ramblers. The Ramblers Association is a charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, charity num:1093577, company num:4458492 Ramblers Privacy Policy
Upcoming events
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Fully booked! Big Weekend Away to The White Cliffs of Dover.
Kingsdown, The Avenue, Kingsdown, Deal CT14 8DU, Dover, GBIt's that time of year where we announce our big weekend away and this year we're heading to the White Cliffs of Dover and trying out a coastal weekend!
Now closed for bookings! If you have already contacted Beth by text or email to express interest but not confirmed please contact her before making any non-refundable arrangements. If you had not yet reached out by text or email I'm afraid you will need to go on a waitlist.
Ramblers Membership is required to join this weekend away: Join the Rambler
The weekend will run from Friday - Monday with walks on all 4 days of varying lengths but the main event walk on the Saturday will include, of course, the White Cliffs of Dover
There will be a group meal at a pub/restaurant one evening and if the weather's nice we're planning a BBQ on the beach too
The area is easily accessed by train to either Deal or Dover, both of which are a less than 10 min taxi ride to where we're staying
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
*As always, we like to offer a central affordable "hub" accommodation with shared facilities. This will be The Lodge at Kingsdown Camping, which has 3 dorms, 2 bathrooms, a shared kitchen and living room, as well as benches outside to enjoy the view across the English Channel. This can be booked directly with Beth when we open for bookings and will cost £86 for the weekend including a £5 contribution to food. Depending on car numbers, there may also be an additional £5 contribution to parking
- If you'd like to be on the same site but have a bit more privacy, you can also book one of the adjacent cabins which have their own entrance and kitchenette and access to some single bathrooms directly next door. If you'd like one of these, please book them yourself and let Beth know you have booked one
- If you prefer to camp, Kingsdown Campsite is absolutely lovely and part of the same area, with lovely modern bathrooms, a bar, food vans that regularly come and incredible views of the sea. Please book this yourself and let Beth know you are coming
- If you would prefer your own accommodation, just next door is Kingsdown Holiday Park, which has a number of privately owned chalets you can hire individually. They average around £450-£525 for 3 nights on that weekend. If you'd like to book one of these, or any other accommodation nearby, please book yourself and let Beth know you're coming. If you are interested but don't know who to share with, let Beth know and she can try to match you with other interested parties
42 attendees
Chiltern Way Section 11 - Ashridge to Blue Waters Woods
Plaiter's Way, Plaiters Way, Bidwell, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU5 6JZ, Bidwell, GBMeet time: 10:15 Start Time: 11:00 Estimated finish: 17:00
Difficulty: Moderate Ascent: 248m / 814ft
Distance: 13m / 19km
Led by ScottAre you ready to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Chilterns? Join us as we walk the Chiltern Way in stages, discovering picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and hidden gems along the way. This long-distance trail, covering approximately 177 miles, offers a perfect mix of rolling hills, wooded paths, and open fields. From historical landmarks to cosy pubs, each stage of the Chiltern Way promises new discoveries and delightful experiences.
Section 11: Ashridge to Blue Waters Woods via Whipsnade Zoo
This a stunning part of the northern section of the Chiltern Way, taking in Ashridge Estate, Whipsnade Zoo (the outside of it, we sadly won't have time to go in), incredible views from Dunstable Downs and Pascombe pit. Enroute we have the option to take a detour via the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral.Note this is a linear walk, so we will meet at the end, organise ourselves into as few cars as possible and then drive to the start point of the walk at Ashridge. When we reach the end point we ask that the drivers are given a lift back to their cars. You are welcome to meet us at Ashridge to start at 11, but we cannot guarantee space in the cars to get you back to Ashridge at the end so please have a plan B ready.
This is a full-day walk at a steady pace, with 13 miles and around 300m of ascent, so good fitness is required. Walking boots are essential, and please bring a packed lunch.
We'll take a brief stop at the Dunstable Downs visitors centre to use the loo and grab a drink, but will likely have stopped for packed lunch before this point.
Dogs welcome on leads.
Toilets at Ashridge and at Dunstable Downs Visitor's Centre just over halfway.
Meeting place: Meet at Plaiter's Way, Bidwell (see map for meeting point) where we will organise ourselves into cars and drive to the walk start point.
Time: 10.15
Grid Ref: 51.907408452334984, -0.5287037672230542
Postcode: LU5 6JZ
Google location to the meeting pointStart place: Bridgewater Monument, Ashridge Estate
Time: 11:00am
Grid Ref: 51.80834014893452, -0.5941520360545807
Google Maps Directions to Start Point
Google Maps Direction to Car Park if meeting us thereFinish: We finish our walk back at Plaiter's Way, just beyond Blue Waters Woods.
Volunteers are requested drop those people who drove earlier back to their cars at Ashridge.
Estimated Time: 5pmDid you know we're on Instagram? Follow us at @ChilternYoungWalkers to see pictures from our walks!
Become a full member: CYW are part of the Ramblers and you may try up to three walks free. When you decide to continue walking with us, please see details at 'Become a member' to join the Ramblers.
38 attendees
Chiltern Way Section 12 - Blue Waters Woods to Barton-Le-Clay
Barton-le-clay, Old road, GBMeet time: 10:00 Start Time: 10:30 Estimated finish: 16:00
Difficulty: Moderate Ascent: 243m / 800ft
Distance: 11m / 17.7km
Led by Beth (0795624270)Are you ready to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Chilterns? Join us as we walk the Chiltern Way in stages, discovering picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and hidden gems along the way. This long-distance trail, covering approximately 177 miles, offers a perfect mix of rolling hills, wooded paths, and open fields. From historical landmarks to cosy pubs, each stage of the Chiltern Way promises new discoveries and delightful experiences.
Section 12: Blue Waters Woods to Barton-Le-Clay via Sharpenhoe Clappers
We're really spoilt in this section as it takes us right past Sharpenhoe Clappers, an ancient woodland and chalk escarpment with stunning views of the Chiltern Hills. Enroute we also pass through more woodlands, open fields and Sundon Hills Country Park.The route has lots of small ups and downs and a couple of bigger climbs.
We'll stop at the Red Lion in Sundon for a refreshment, but please bring a packed lunch!
Note this is a linear walk, so we will meet at the end, organise ourselves into as few cars as possible and then drive to the start point of the walk at Bidwell. When we reach the end point we ask that the drivers are given a lift back to their cars. You are welcome to meet us at Bidwell to start at 11, but we cannot guarantee space in the cars to get you back to Bidwell at the end so please have a plan B ready.
This is a full-day walk at a steady pace, with 11 miles and around 250m of ascent, so moderate fitness is required. Walking boots are essential, and please bring a packed lunch.
Dogs welcome on leads.
Meeting place: Meet on Old Road, Barton-Le-Clay (see map pin)
Time: 10.00
Grid Ref: 51.962907181552616, -0.42561080898072023
Postcode: MK45 4LF
Google location to the meeting pointStart place: Meet at Plaiter's Way, Bidwell (see map for meeting point)
Time: 10:30am
Grid Ref: 51.907408452334984, -0.5287037672230542
Google Maps Directions to Start PointIf meeting us there, please park legally and considerately.
Finish: We finish our walk back at Barton-Le-Clay
Volunteers are requested drop those people who drove earlier back to their cars at Bidwell.
Estimated Time: 4pmDid you know we're on Instagram? Follow us at @ChilternYoungWalkers to see pictures from our walks!
Become a full member: CYW are part of the Ramblers and you may try up to three walks free. When you decide to continue walking with us, please see details at 'Become a member' to join the Ramblers.
11 attendees
Past events
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