Moderate - 9 miles. Sat 13 Sep @9.45am Whitlingham Lake and Beyond

Welcome to Hike Norfolk Ramblers.

IMPORTANT: Whether you are new or a regular, please read this entire event description before signing up. If after signing up you can no longer make it, please edit your rsvp to "Not Going" asap.

Are you fit enough & have the right equipment?
Before signing up, please ensure that you (and your dog if applicable) have the necessary fitness and equipment to complete this walking event safely and as scheduled. If you have any questions, please message the event host or comment.

• Grade: MODERATE
• Distance: 9 miles
  Walking Pace: 3 - 3.2mph for the above distance
• Terrain: Mixed terrain, some steep steps in the woodland area, may be wet in places depending on weather.
• Surface: Mixed - country footpaths, waterside paths, some road walking and woodland terrain with steep steps
• Required Equipment: Appropriate footwear and clothing for the event and weather conditions, including plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and snacks/lunch
• Dogs: Well behaved dogs welcome and to be on a short lead at all times.

When & Where
Date: Saturday 13th September
Start Time: Meet at 9:45am for prompt 10 am start
Meeting Point: The outside seating area at the Flint Barn cafe at Whitlingham Lake, Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse Newton, NR14 8TR
(See pin in location map below)
Meet point: What3Words: **unrealistic.glare.over**
Car Park Charges: £4.50 for 3 hours, £6 all day (I strongly recommend all day parking if you are doing the whole walk) - (there is free on road parking at the top end of Whitlingham lane, with a 10 minute walk to the start point) There are various car parks off Whitlingham lane. Please car share to save costs, and the planet.
End Time: 1.30 pm approx

Walk Description

This is a three part walk in which we will go around the lake which is just 3 miles round, we will then go around Whitlingham woods and return to the cafe for a loo stop and a 20 minute drink/food stop at 5-6 miles approx, you can have early lunch if you wish, or leave at this point if you have things to do elsewhere. We then walk the final part of the walk which is quite a bit different and is the lesser known marsh out to the East side which passes beneath the A47 so we may see some funky graffiti as well - who knew! This part takes us up to 9 miles. If you wish to have your lunch en plein air or at the cafe at the end you can do this if you want to.

I walk fairly briskly at minimum 3 miles an hour, and this walk does have some steep hills in the woodland areas so please make sure you are fit enough for the walk.

Other important and useful general information

• Cost
  Hike Norfolk are part of the Ramblers Charity so if you are a Ramblers member this event is free. Please bring your membership card or a photo showing your card and membership number to all events as we do spot checks periodically. New members are welcome to try any 3 Ramblers events before joining. You can join here Join the Ramblers.
• Guests
  If you are a Ramblers member and would like to bring a guest as a potential new member who is not already on meetup, then please either let the host know in advance the name of your guest, either by direct message or by commenting in the event. Guests can come to 3 events before joining.
• Toilets
  There are toilets at the cafe at Whitlingham Lake, and we will pass by these twice!
• If there is an injury or problem during a walk
  Please let one of the walk leaders or back marker know asap. Do not try to deal with it by yourself.
• What if I am struggling on a walk?
  It is very important that we stay together as a group so please do not allow gaps to form and stay close to the person in front. If the person in front is slowing up and a gap starts forming then please pass them and catch up. If you are struggling for whatever reason please let the nearest leader near you know or let the back marker know asap so that we can help. Never leave the walk without letting a leader know.
• Questions
  If you have any questions please either message the event host directly (usually the quickest way to get a response), or comment in the event description (2nd quickest), or send an email to hikenorfolk@gmail.com.