FREE HIKE 21k - The Marlow Meander: Locks, Woods and Riverside Charm
Details
📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5
Join us for a stunning riverside adventure starting in the picturesque town of Marlow, one of the true gems of the Thames Valley. From here, we’ll follow the Thames Path, tracing the gentle curves of the river as it winds through peaceful countryside and classic English scenery.
The route offers a perfect blend of riverside tranquility, open meadows, and charming villages. Along the way, we’ll enjoy beautiful stretches of the Thames and pay a visit to the delightful village of Hambleden.
From Hambleden, the path gently climbs into woodland and rolling countryside, offering a refreshing change of pace and lovely views before leading us back toward Marlow.
After returning to town, we can relax by the river or celebrate the day’s walk with a drink or a bite to eat in one of Marlow’s excellent pubs or cafés. It’s a wonderful day out filled with riverside charm, scenic beauty, and great company.
✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
- 🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
- 👶 No children
- 🐾 No pets (allergies/phobias)
📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may limit future sign-ups. On the day, we will check in attendees individually. Anyone who does not arrive will be marked as a no-show.
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1:
🎟️ Buy a return ticket from London Paddington to Marlow: £15.95 with a Network Railcard, £24.00 without.
- 08:30 — Meet at London Paddington ticket office
- 08:55 — Leave meeting point to board the train
- 09:08 — Train departs London Paddington
- 09:30 — Arrive at Maidenhead and change trains
- You have 3 minutes to reach platform 5B and board the connection.
- 09:34 — Train departs Maidenhead
- 09:57 — Arrive at Marlow
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Only one train per hour runs from Maidenhead to Marlow. Missing the connection will delay the walk by one hour. It would be better to travel as an entire group from Maidenhead.
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2 (local):
- 10:00 — Meet outside Marlow train station
🚶WALK STARTS:
- 10:00 — Marlow train station
🏁 WALK FINISHES:
- 16:00 — Marlow town centre
🍔 LUNCH:
- Bring a packed lunch.
- There will be a pub or café stop, but time is limited.
🌳 TOILETS:
- Use toilets on the train from London before the walk
- “Nature facilities” available during the hike
- Pub and café breaks along the route
👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Follow the group leader, not the fastest walker. If you are near the back, always keep someone in sight ahead. If walking ahead, stop and wait at junctions so the group can regroup.
💪 TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
- Distance: 21 km (13 mi)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Ascent 591 m | Descent 593 m
- Max Elevation: 151 m | Min: 12 m
- Terrain: Riverside paths, open fields, uneven ground, gravel tracks, and woodland. Mostly flat along the river, with a few short moderate inclines in the forested sections, but nothing really strenuous.
- Walking time: about 5 hours (around 6 hours including breaks)
- Pace: steady 5 km/h, a comfortable and consistent walking speed faster than a casual stroll but not brisk or strenuous
🎒 WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch and plenty of snacks
- At least 2 litres of water
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Layers and waterproofs
- Personal medication, blister plasters, and a basic first aid kit
- Antihistamines for allergies or insect bites
- Optional: walking poles
- Fully charged phone for emergencies
- Head torch just in case
- Spare warm layer
- Extra snacks and a hot drink in a flask
- A happy face and a sense of adventure
↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON FROM MARLOW:
- 17:00 — Change at Maidenhead, arriving in London at 17:50
- 18:00 — Change at Maidenhead, arriving in London at 19:50
📞 CONTACT:
Message the event host directly via Meetup with any questions.
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⚠️DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.
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