About us
Welcome to the Bedfordshire Walking Club, we walk most weekends throughout the year, whatever the weather, mostly around the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. We also organise some great walking weekends away to some of the best hiking areas around the UK.
Be aware that BWC walks are NOT gentle rambles, we keep to a good pace with few breaks, and our walks are at least ten miles long. So, if you are looking for a gentle stroll in the countryside with lots of breaks and time to take photos, we are probably not the club for you. However, if you are after some great exercise with friendly, like-minded people, have a reasonable standard of fitness, and like a walk that is a bit of a challenge then you have come to the right place.
We are a relaxed and friendly group of all different ages, and we make everyone very welcome. Our hikes are a great chance to meet new people, make new friends and get to know the countryside. Many people come on their own, but you are welcome to bring along a guest if you wish.
Come and join us, meet some like minded people, make some good friends, get some great exercise and experience some of the fantastic UK countryside.
Before signing up please read the guidelines below:
• Our walks are between 10 – 20 miles long and at a pace of over 3mph with only a short break halfway. Please make sure you are fit enough to complete the distance before you sign up for a walk.
The details page of each event will give a full description of the walk, what to expect and a recommended fitness level. If you are not sure that you will be up to the walk, please contact the walk leader for more information.
• ALL members will require a name (not just initials) and profile photo that clearly shows your head, shoulders and face at a reasonably close distance, so you are recognisable. Group photos, photos of children or pets are not acceptable. This is so we can put a name to a face when you attend a walk and for the safety and peace of mind of the other members, failure to comply may result in a delay in your application being accepted.
• Please make sure we are able to contact you. Your profile privacy settings should be set so at least a walk organiser is able to get in touch with you to inform you of any possible changes.
• We hold walks all year round, in all weathers. Please make sure you come suitably dressed for the terrain and weather conditions with suitable clothing, wet weather gear and sturdy footwear. We don’t always get chance to stop at a pub or café so you should also bring water, a snack and maybe a hot drink in the winter.
•There will be a small charge for the walks, this is to cover the admin costs of the walk leader and Meetup organiser fees. Payment is made at the start of each walk. Payment details can be found for each individual walk.
• Hiking and hillwalking can be demanding. Each individual member is responsible for their own actions and involvement.
You are welcome to bring along a guest to a walk but they will be your responsibility and must be over 16 years of age.
Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event. Anyone attending one of our events is subject to those terms and conditions.
If a member brings along a guest that is not a member of Meetup, they are subject to the above Terms of Service and attend at their own risk.
Although the leaders of the club walks are very experienced hikers, we do NOT hold any official qualifications and neither the walk leader or the club accepts responsibility for any accidents or injuries of any member while attending a walk.
• We limit the numbers for each of our walks to keep a small close-knit group. So, if you sign up for a walk and then cannot make it, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible to give other members chance to come along. Those members who make a habit of changing their RSVP the day before or being a no show will be removed from the club.
• Sorry but we do not allow dogs on any of our walks.
This is mainly to ensure the walks are safe, inclusive, and easy to manage for everyone. Some members may feel uncomfortable around dogs, or may feel unsafe, especially if we encounter livestock during our walks.
If you have any further questions about the club, please don't hesitate to contact the organiser for more information.
We look forward to welcoming you on a walk soon.
Upcoming events
24
Weekend In Snowdonia - The Quiet Grandeur of the Carneddau - Day 2
Capel Curig, nr Bet-y-sy Coed, Nrth Wales LL24 0EL, GBThe Carneddau are a broad, quiet mountain range in northern Snowdonia (Eryri), defined by high plateaus, long ridges and sweeping views. Quieter and wilder than the busy slopes of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the range still packs superb hillwalking, including many of the Welsh 3,000’s.
With long, steady climbs, high ridges and occasional featureless ground the walking can be challenging but we are rewarded with big horizons to the Glyderau and Tryfan to the south, the Menai Strait glittering to the west, empty moorland rolling north, Bronze Age cairns underfoot, and—if we’re lucky—a meeting with the hardy Carneddau ponies. Perfect territory for a great weekend of hill walking.
Day 2 – Creigiau Gleision and Llyn Cowlyd from Capel Curig
Creigiau Gleision is the easternmost of the high Carneddau and is separated from the others by Llyn Cowlyd reservoir, the deepest lake in Snowdonia. The mountain actually has three peaks, the highest being 2217ft (676m) and affords splendid views in all directions, including northwards to the coast, and down the Ogwen Valley and Dyffryn Mymbyr towards Snowdon.
Expect a gentler walk than yesterday but still a bit of a challenge. With 2600ft of ascent and over 10 miles there will be some steeper climbs as we ascend to summit the highest of the peaks. From there we descend to walk around the reservoir and back to Capel Curig.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Due to the challenging nature of this walk it is only suitable for experienced hill walkers. If you are a first timer with the club, please read the "What we’re about" section on the club homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability. If you need more information, please contact the walk leader.The Details:
Start Point: The car park in the centre of Capel Curig, behind Joe Browns Shop.
Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN
Grid ref – SH 7204 5825
what3words – ///bookcases.teams.pennedPlease follow the google map link from the Meetup walk page.
Parking: The Car Park is free but it is quite small and parking is limited so please arrive early and car share where possible.
Timings: Walk Starts at 08:30
Total Walk Time: Approx 7 hrs
Refreshments: Nowhere to stop off on the hills so bring lunch and drinks and plenty of energy snacks for the walk.
Public Toilets: There are toilets available in the carpark at the start and end of the walk.
Weather: The Welsh mountains are notorious for their unpredictable weather, even in the height of summer it can turn nasty so please come equipped for all eventualities, waterproofs, warm layers, hat/gloves.
Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event.
For further information Contact Nick 07739801881
13 attendees- £2.00
Shenley Wood and Whaddon 6 miles circular (summer evening walk)
Shenley Wood, MK5 6GG, Merlewood Drive, Shenley Wood, MK5 6GG, milton keynes, GBDetails
This 6 mile circular summer evening walk will be led by Helen D.
Helen says: This is one of my favourite local walks out to the west of Milton Keynes and the pretty village of Whaddon. Come and see this little known beauty spot before it gets earmarked for development.What to expect
This is a 6 mile circular walk, on woodland and field paths and tracks, some may be muddy.
The pace will be at just over 3mph throughout the walk. Ascent will be gentle hills and 250 feet.
We will start in Shenley Wood, then make our way west to the boundary of MK, with views to Silverstone. We then walk south through a beautiful valley and up to Whaddon, past Whaddon Manor and church. We also skirt round HMP Woodhill….so best behaviour everyone!This walk is quite challenging and is suitable for anyone with a good standard of walking fitness.
If you are a first timer please read the 'What we're about' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability.The Finer Points
Start/Finish point: car park opposite Oxley Park School Shenley Wood Site, Merlewood Drive, Shenley Wood, MK5 6GG. Please follow the directions on the Meetup App if you are not sure where it is.
Walk Starts: 18:30pm
Parking: Parking is free in a public car park. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A 2M HEIGHT RESTRICTION ON ENTRY: TALL VEHICLES CAN PARK A LITTLE FURTHER ALONG THE ROAD.
Distance: 6 Miles
Walk Time: Approx. 2hrs
Refreshments: please bring water (and a small snack if you wish)
Public Toilets: There are no toilets available
Cost: There is a £2.00 charge payable by cash at the start of the walk
Sorry no dogs allowed.Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event.
For further information contact Nicola on 07952 946683 or Helen 07866 92255410 attendees - £3.00
Wrest Park - Pulloxhill - 12 mile Circular Walk
Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, GBA very nice new walk for the club starting from Wrest Park. With an impressive mid 19th century house and extensive park and gardens designed by Capability Brown, Wrest park is a great place to start a walk. This circular walk takes us from the estate through the lovely villages, countryside, Woodland and nature reserves that surround the park and past a number of ancient earthworks highlighting the long history of the area.
What to Expect
A 12.5 mile walk mainly on good tracks and small lanes, some tracks may be overgrown and uneven in places. There will be a few hills to tackle but nothing too steep. Total ascent is 500ft and we will maintain a pace of over 3mph throughout the walk.Although this walk is reasonably long it is not too challenging. It is suitable for anyone with a moderate standard of walking fitness.
If you are a first timer, please read the 'About us...' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability.
If you can't make the walk please change your RSVP in plenty of time to allow others to attend.
The Finer Points
Start Point: The car park in Wrest Park. Nearest post code Silsoe MK45 4HR.
Please follow the directions from the Meetup App to get the exact location.Walk Starts: 09:30. Please arrive early enough to give yourself time to gear up and book in.
If you are going to be late please let the walk leader know or we may leave without you.
Parking: The car park is free
Distance: 12.5 Miles
Total Ascent: 500ft
Walk Time: Approx 4.5 hrs (includes stoppages)
There is a £3.00 charge for the walk to cover the admin costs of the walk leader, payable when we meet.
Payment is by cash or card/contactless.
Refreshments: There will be a break at the halfway point so bring a drink and a snack.
Public Toilets: There are no public toilets available on this walk.
We have a no dogs policy on all of our walks.
Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event.
For further information Contact: Nick 07739801881
10 attendees - £2.00
Brickhill Woods 6 miles circular (summer evening walk)
Little Brickhill, Watling Street, MK17 9NZ, milton keynes, GBDetails
This 6 mile circular summer evening walk will be led by Helen D.
This is a lovely walk through woods and with views over Milton Keynes. We will walk from Little Brickhill, along part of the MK Boundary Path, through Woburn Golf Club, and back through Back Wood and The Warren.What to expect
This is a 6 mile circular walk, on woodland paths and tracks, some will be steep and some may be muddy. The pace will be just over 3mph throughout the walk. Ascent will be 500 feet.
This walk is quite challenging and is suitable for anyone with a good standard of walking fitness.If you are a first timer please read the 'What we're about' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability.
The Finer Points
Start/Finish point:
Start point is the village of Little Brickhill. We will meet on Watling Street by the small roundabout at the Southern end of the village just off the A5. Nearest postcode MK17 9NZ. Please follow the directions on the Meetup App if you are not sure where it is.
Walk Starts: 18:30pm
Parking: Free parking is on the road.
Distance: 6 Miles
Walk Time: Approx. 2hrs
Refreshments: please bring water (and a small snack if you wish)
Public Toilets: There are no toilets available.
Cost: There is a £2 charge payable by cash at the start of the walk
Sorry no dogs allowed.Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event.
For further information contact Nicola on 07952 946683 or Helen on 07866 92255412 attendees
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