Chagford Challenge (10, 17, 23 or 30 mi - entries close 7/9/2025)

LDWA Challenge Events are timed events designed to test your walking capability. They are not races; rather they allow walkers of all abilities to challenge themselves by walking a longer distance than maybe they are used to, and at a brisk pace.

As an example: if you sign up for the 30 mi distance, you will start at 08:00 but you must finish by 19:00. That means you have 11 hours to complete 30 miles (ie just under 3 mph), but that includes all stops for food and drink, and by the way it will also include a fair bit of ascending, so it will be a challenge whichever way you look at it :-)

Challenge walks incorporate checkpoints where you are provided with drinks and snacks, and also marked through.

Whereas on a social walk people walk in a single group, on a challenge walk people walk 'at their own speed'. What this means in practice is that you tend to tag along with a handful of walkers who walk at a similar speed to you (and often someone in that group is navigating). However because we are walking on Dartmoor where paths are not clearly defined and weather conditions can change suddenly, we say:
"entrants must be able to read a map and follow compass bearings and
must have sufficient knowledge, experience, equipment and navigational skills to take part in this walk in all conditions and especially in the event of bad weather".
We do provide GPX files and 'turn by turn' direction sheets for each of the three routes, so you can use your smartphone or follow the direction sheet, but having a map and being able to read it is clearly a necessary backstop. Check back shortly before the event to download route details: https://ldwa.org.uk/CornwallAndDevon/W/9957/chagford-challenge-2025.html

The 35th Chagford Challenge will start & finish at the Jubilee Hall, Chagford, grid reference SX 7015 8744, located in the centre of Chagford, near to the church. Registration opens 07:00. Parking available in the primary school (marshalls will direct). Open to runners & walkers. Coffee, tea, squash & biscuits available before the start. Light refreshment at checkpoints. Hot food, hot & cold drinks at the finish. Please bring a mug as none will be provided on the day. You must bring route descriptions, & specified kit. Please access the C&D LDWA website for this information closer the date

23 and 30 mi walkers start at 08:00; 10, 17 mi walkers and all runners start at 09:00. All must finish by 19:00.

Four circular routes starting from Chagford Jubilee Hall via Throwleigh, Belstone & Gidleigh. Routes are a mixture of riverside, country lanes & open moorland. All indoor checkpoints, with refreshments

There are costs to putting on these events which are recovered by charging Entrance Fees for all walkers and runners: (£15.00 for LDWA members; £20.00 for others).

If you don't have a car, particularly if you are new to the group, please don't be shy and just ask for a lift share; if you live around Exeter or Plymouth or Tavistock, there's almost certainly someone driving from these places. Please contact your host if you need a lift.

You *must* sign up in advance for this Event at:
https://www.sientries.co.uk/admin/setup/event_summary.php?event_id=14256

Entries are limited to 300 (no entries on the day). There will be a maximum 99 walkers for each of the 23 mile and 30 mile routes.

Certificates will be given on the day to all those who complete the walk!

Small snacks, drinks and cakes will be offered at the two/three/four checkpoints; pasties and drinks will be provided back at the Jubilee Hall. If you think you need some more food then you may bring a little food & drink of your own. Please bring a mug for drinks at the checkpoints, there will be no cups available as we are trying to reduce the volume of plastic used.

The Challenge is also open to Runners (09:00 start).

ABOUT THE CORNWALL & DEVON LDWA GROUP:
The Cornwall and Devon Group is a 300 strong local group of the Long Distance Walkers Association which caters for many kinds of walking, from social walks to Challenge events. Further information about the group is available at our section on the national site at:
https://www.ldwa.org.uk/cornwallanddevon

ABOUT THE LDWA:
The LDWA is an organisation offering regular long distance walks throughout England, Scotland and Wales. 2022 will be the 50th anniversary of the LDWA.

You can come to three of our walks free of charge to see if longer distance walking is for you. If you'd like to join, membership of the LDWA costs £15 pa by direct debit and you can walk with any of our groups, get our printed magazine Strider three times a year and get discounts on the hundred or so challenge events which take place all over the country.