Hike For Charity

Ridgeway Rollercoaster: Ascents, Descents and Epic Vistas - 17km/11 miles

Sat, Jul 4 · 10:05 AM BST

Princes Risborough station, Station Approach, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9DN, Buckinghamshire, GB

Do this walk because - The Ridgeway National Trail will lead us to some splendid views from the Chiltern Hills 😊.

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Carl R will lead the walk.

Walk facts
Form: Linear route from Princes Risborough to Little Kimble.
Distance: Approximately 11 miles / 17km
Duration: Walking time circa 5 hours.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. There are lots of hills so it will be tough in places! Total ascent of 437m
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk Description
From the market town of Princes Risborough we’ll join The Ridgeway National Trail for a series of ascents and descents with some great views along the way.

During our walk we’ll find somewhere to sit and eat our packed lunches. CAN YOU SPECIFY WHERE? IF NOT, DON'T MENTION IT

Our route will take us past the country house of the Prime Minister and the monument on Coombe Hill. From here, we'll get glorious views as far away as the Cotswolds!

Towards the end of our adventure we’ll stop for a well-earned drink.

Meeting at
Princes Risborough railway station at 10.05am. We will start walking at 10.10am.

Travel
By train from London (return)
To cover both journeys from London, by a day return to Little Kimble. It costs £29.20 but with a Network Railcard or Groupsave, it's £19.40
Outbound - Get the 8.52 from Marylebone, arriving into Princes Risborough at 9.58 am.
Return - Trains from Little Kimble to Marylebone are scheduled every hour.

By car
Carl has a seven seat vehicle leaving Reading Central Railway station at 9am to the start of the walk and returning from Princes Risborough after the walk.
It is necessary to take a 10 minute train journey from the end of the walk back to the car.
Please contact Carl to reserve a seat.
A donation of £2 would be appreciated to help cover Meetup costs.

There is a car park at Princes Risborough railway station.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊

The Thames Path, Part 2. (11 Miles/18KM)

Sat, Jul 25 · 11:00 AM BST

Location not specified yet

Do this walk because - its a great way to see the River Thames and follow its flow from the beautiful Cotswolds towards London.

We plan to complete the 292 km distance in about 20 single-day walks during the next 24 months.

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Carl R will lead the walk.

Walk facts (Stage 2)
Form: Linear walk from Cricklade to Lechlade.
Distance: Approximately 11 miles / 18km
Duration: Walking time circa 4.5 hours.
Grade: Easy. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. During wet weather the paths can become muddy.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk Description
Our route will generally follow the Thames Path. We will be walking in the direction of flow of the River Thames.
Additional information will be provided before the walk, however please contact Carl if you need more details at any time.
Meeting at
Outside Tesco Express, 39 High St, Cricklade, Swindon SN6 6BX.
We'll be outside Tesco Express at 11am.
We'll start walking at 11.10 am.

Travel
If you’re travelling from London, you’ve three options:
Option 1 — Join Carl in Reading (car + bus)

• Carl departs Reading Central railway station at 9:10am in a 7‑seater.
• He’ll drive to Swindon station, then take the bus to Cricklade.
• Reserve a seat with Carl if you’d like a lift.
• A £5 donation is requested for the return journey to help cover costs (this is separate to your walk donation to GOSH).

Option 2 — Travel to Swindon

• Make your own way to Swindon railway station.
• Meet us in the station café between 10:00am and 10:20am.
• We’ll then take the bus together to Cricklade.

Option 3 — Travel directly to Cricklade

• If you prefer, go straight to Tesco Express, Cricklade for 11:00am.

Getting back to London
At Letchlade we will catch a bus to Swindon. From Swindon, fast GWR trains run regularly back to London Paddington and the 7 seater vehicle will return to Reading railway station.

If you are driving
Parking at Swindon railway station is probably a good option.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊

Cotswold capers ~ one or two days

Sat, Aug 1 · 10:00 AM BST

Location not specified yet

Do this walk because - it's the Cotswolds! What more do you need 😊

This will be a busy weekend with lots of hills, so please be prepared.

The two walks combined will cover what is generally known as 'The Five Valleys Walk'

Saturday hike
Type ~ Part 1 of a two day circular route around Stroud.
Start walk ~ 10am from Stroud railway station.
Hiking time approx. 6hrs
Hike distance ~ 20km
Total ascent ~ 473m
Note: We plan to take a short (4km) bus ride at the start & finish of this walk. You could avoid the bus at the end by walking instead.

Sunday hike
Type ~ Part 2 of a two day circular route around Stroud.
Start walk ~ 10am from Stroud railway station.
Hiking time approx. 6 hrs
Hike distance ~ 20km
Total ascent ~ 511m

Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk Description
You have to see for yourself. Words don't do justice.

Meeting at
Outside Stroud railway station.
We'll start walking at 10am.
Note: If the train from Paddington is late & you message us we'll delay the start of the walk(s) until 10.20am. There may be bus or taxi options to catch up with us if you arrive after we have set off.

Travel
If you’re travelling to Stroud from London, get the train from London Paddington.

Another option is to travel with Carl R in his 7 seater vehicle. He'll be picking up from Reading Central railway station on Friday.
Contact Carl for details.

Getting back to London
Over the weekend, there's approximately one train an hour going back to Paddington from Stroud.

Another option is with Carl R in his 7 seater vehicle with pick up from Stroud railway station on Sunday & drop off at Reading Central Railway station.
Contact Carl for details.

If you are driving
Parking in Stroud is the best option.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊