Join the club: There is a £1 fee for the first walk and a recurring £1 monthly fee thereafter for members. This helps cover admin costs and fund trips for the club. After the walk, the walk organisers will share the details of the club bank account. On receipt of payment, newcomers will be added to the club Whatsapp group by the club organiser.
Logistics: We'll be meeting in front of the Ely station at 9.30 am. There is a train from Cambridge Station at 09:0 am that reaches Ely at 9:15 am.
Route: Total distance of the hike is about 20 km. Explore the captivating cityscape and rich heritage of Ely, nestled in Cambridgeshire's East Cambridgeshire district, starting from the historic Ely station. Your journey unfolds through Cherry Hill Park, where nature's tranquility sets the tone. Marvel at the majestic Ely Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Discover Oliver Cromwell's house, a window into the past. Traverse the Little Downham Local Nature Reserve, soaking in its serene beauty.
Stroll through the quaint village of Little Downham before tracing the tranquil banks of the River Great Ouse. Complete your adventure at Wildlife on the Water, observing native species in their habitat. Return to Ely station, enriched by a day immersed in history, nature, and scenic wonders. ChatGPT helped me write this section.
Post-hike social: After the hike, we could go to a pub next to the Ely station if there is enough interest.
Food: Please bring your lunch, we will make a stop for the same. Make sure you take plenty of water with you, snacks are a good idea too!
Bring: Food as described above, walking kit - hiking boots, waterproof jacket, warm layers.
Fee After the walk we will collect phone numbers and create a WhatsApp payment group so that everyone can transfer £2 to the group owner. It is to cover the cost of MeetUp membership.
Trips: Only come if you are inclined to join further upcoming trips. After the training walk, we will add you to the Whatsapp group where you can find out more.
Fitness: Ensure you can walk this distance, likely through the mud and potentially in the rain.
Terrain: Hiking Path: 499 m, Path: 9.97 km, Footpath: 1.62 km, Street: 2.06 km, Road: 4.14 km, State Road: < 100 m
Natural: 1.64 km, Unpaved: 6.66 km, Gravel: 173 m, Paved: 1.77 km
Asphalt: 5.60 km, Unknown: 2.47 km
REMEMBER: Why do hiking groups make good detectives? Because they always follow the trails!
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About the club
CHC operates by our Three Principles. These are:
1. Friendship: CHC is a club based on the relationships between its members. We reject a transactional view of social interaction and instead put forward a vision of a social club and in-person community. Therefore, meetup.com is simply a method to advertise walks to new members but is not the basis for the community. After your first walk with us, the next stage is to join our Whatsapp group, where you can find out information about our regular trips further afield. Related to this, we have a zero-tolerance policy towards abusive behaviour of any kind, and seek to encourage high levels of respect between members.
2. Physical challenge: We want to be pushed physically when we hike, because this unlocks physical, emotional, and spiritual rewards. Walks are usually at least 6 hours and require an already solid level of physical fitness.
3. Trips: CHC is all about the trips. We see ourselves as a local hiking club but one in which adventure and exploration are at the heart of what we do. We are regularly running trips across the UK and will eventually run trips abroad too.
