Peak District Walkers Hikers Ramblers and Leisure Group

JUST TWO PLACES LEFT FOR THIS BRILLIANT FULLY CATERED LONG WEEKEND - JUST £139

One of our favourite spots with loads of brilliant walking and cycling options.

NOTE THAT THE SOUTH WEST COAST TO COAST BIKE RIDE IS NOT AN OPTION ON THIS EVENT BUT A SEPARATE EVENT ENTIRELY.

Dartmoor is one of the largest undeveloped land areas in the UK and has these very unusual hills called 'tors' (some 160 in all) which is where the granite pokes through the surrounding area. Tor bagging is so much fun as in the picture above! There are also some stunningly beautiful river valleys and gorges so from a walking point of view we are spoiled for choice.

Our accommodation is right on the edge of Dartmoor with immediate access to the moor but is also on the edge of the rather lovely town of Okehampton complete with up market Wetherspoons and several other great hostelries.

There will definitely be a short 'bonus' walk for those that can make a Friday midday start with general arrival from 6pm+ and a choice of walks on Saturday, Sunday and Monday so hopefully something for everyone. Although there are no mountains nearby don't be fooled, as there are harder as well as easier options. Dartmoor is a major training area for the UK Army so some of you can find out why!

Whilst our prime emphasis is on walking it is also a great area for trail cycling and mountain biking if there are those interested. Some fantastic horse riding is also available nearby from a stables that rides out straight onto the moors. The owners of Bracken Tor also operate an Outdoor Centre not far away so bike hire and watersports on their private lake are also possibilities. Potentially a full four day break in great surroundings and great company for less than the cost of a single night in a hotel or B & B. Amazing.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday night we'll have a selection of food including catering for those with any special dietary requirements that we are notified about. We'll also bring a variety of board games, giant jenga and our well used bluetooth speaker so staying in is an option as well as going out on the town.

Accommodation is single sex bunk rooms of a variety of sizes with full bedding provided but not towels.

Our usual breakfasts, lunch pack-ups and hot drinks will of course be included on all three days of the weekend.

We will also be hosting participants in our South West Coast to Coast (C2C) Bike Ride listed as a separate events.

This trip can now be booked for just £139 (THREE NIGHTS) for which £40 is non refundable payable when you book to which will be added Meetup booking fees. You can also pay via BACS without Meetup booking fees but you must tell us you are doing this so we can add you to the event manually.

BACS Details
Account Code: 40848442
Sort Code: 56-00-61

Account Name: Peak Activities & Leisure Limited

Our bank don't immediately tell us who payments are from so if you can put in the reference your name and the name of the event that will be a huge help in reconciling payments quickly e.g. ConwayDartmoor !

If you have to cancel more than 28 clear days before the event start date you will get a full refund less the deposit paid or £40 whichever is the least. No refunds will be provided to those cancelling with less than 28 clear days notice. ("clear" means does not include event start date or cancellation date!)

Obviously if circumstances change and we are unable to go ahead full refunds will be made without cancellation charges of any sort.

Other meetup groups do trips at similar venues for more than twice our price which is only possible as all our organisers and walk leaders are unpaid volunteers and we only seek to cover our costs on weekends.

It would not be possible to provide the range of events we do or to cover the cost of insurance and now increasing Meetup fees if we were not a subscription based group which means paying an annual subscription of £10pa or a Life Membership subscription in which case further payments are not necessary.

If attending our weekends away as an unpaid or lapsed subscriber or as a non member guest you are required to pay an additional £10 when balances become due.

In the summer of 2021, 2022 and 2023 we completed three fantastic Coast to Coast bike rides with great feedback from those who took part. This is the Ilfracombe to Plymouth South West Coast to Coast and such a great ride we think we just have to do it again.

Here is a link to the feedback and photos from previously:-

https://www.meetup.com/peak-district-meetup-group/events/278323462/

Picture above is the motley crew from our 2021 trip at the statue of Sir Francis Drake in Plymouth.

Long distance trail rides are a fantastic experience but whether riding on your own or in a group do take some organisation and logistics to bring things together. We have made this one easy!

Everybody meets at YHA Okehampton where your overnight stay Friday and Saturday night is included. Food is also provided from Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch packup. It also gives you a chance to go for a Friday ride on Dartmoor or a walk with us with us if you can get away in time for that. We have the hostel at Bracken Lodge on an exclusive hire basis with a larger walking and multi-activity group so being part of that bigger group socially should be good too. If you want to stay a further night i.e. Sunday night for an additional £10 cost you are welcome to do so as you may be tired after two days in the saddle. Dinner Sunday and breakfast Monday would then be included.

Bright and early on the Saturday morning we organise shared transport for all of you and bikes to Ilfracombe for the start of your ride after photos on the beach! You then cycle back to Okehampton to complete Day 1 and once more overnight in our comfortable accommodation there.

After a more leisurely start you then head out on the largely traffic free route to Plymouth with an amazing final downhill section which is really lovely. After taking your "after" pictures at the statue of Sir Francis Drake we organise the return to the hostel for the trip home.

There is no designated guide but the route is well waymarked and you will be provide with both digital and paper mapping to help you on your journey.

Those who don't have a digital mapping app on their phone can also be provided with one free of charge.

Mainly old railway lines and quiet lanes and absolutely minimal major roads so pretty much any sort of bike will be absolutely fine including e-bikes.

Accommodation is single sex bunk rooms of a variety of sizes with full bedding provided but not towels.

The immediate cost for those booking now is a deposit of £49 when you book via Meetup, to which must be added Meetup booking fees. A balance of £89 or £99 for those staying 3 nights will then need to be paid via BACS no later than 12 weeks before the event start date being 27th February 2026.

Account Code: 40848442
Sort Code: 56-00-61
Account Name: Peak Activities & Leisure Limited

If you have to cancel with more than 28 clear days notice the full value of the balance payment will be refunded but an amount deducted equivalent to your original deposit or £49 if no deposit paid. No refunds will be provided to those cancelling with less than 28 clear days notice. ("clear" means does not include event start date or cancellation date!

It would not be possible to provide the range of events we do or to cover the cost of insurance and now increasing Meetup fees if we were not a subscription based group which means paying an annual subscription of £10pa or a Life Membership subscription in which case further payments are not necessary.

If attending our weekends away as an unpaid or lapsed subscriber or as a non member guest you are required to pay an additional £10 when balances become due. This applies to all events starting on or after 1st January 2025

Don't do parkrun yet. You should, because it's for everyone. Even if you are old and slow like me it's still fun and a great way to add some healthy exercise to your life.

Monsal Trail parkrun happens every Saturday at 9am and everyone can join in. You can run, walk, be pushed or take a dog! All are welcome.

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

The average finish time for runners is around 30 mins but you can take as long as you like with plenty of signs and volunteers to make sure everyone finds their way from start to finish.

There's nothing to pay and you don't have to pre-register with parkrun.org.uk although the big advantage to doing that is that you get a barcode and this enables you at the end to get your finish time and where you did in comparison to others. It is age graded so you may well get a high position in your age class even if you arrive at the finish well behind many others.

To register for a FREE barcode use the following link. You cannot do that part on the day!