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# Joining our walks - FAQ's

**Come and join us on a walk!** Here are a few frequently asked questions:

**Which days do you walk?**

We organise full-day walks on Wednesdays, Fridays, and some Sundays, which are usually about 10 miles. We have half-day walks on Saturday afternoons and some Sunday mornings of 5 to 6 miles. During June and July, we organise evening walks generally centred around a pub.

**What are the walks like?**

Walks are usually circular but can be linear when public transport is used, or figure-of-eight which gives the option to walk the morning only. Full-day walks often have a lunchtime pub stop, but some members prefer to bring a packed lunch and use the facilities of the pub, provided they buy a drink. All our walks are graded according to Ramblers guidelines, but are generally moderate, leisurely, and occasionally easy. Here are the [Walking Grades](https://chelmer-blackwater.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/information/walks-grading) in detail, which can also be viewed in the Group Walks tab. Also, see our Facebook Page, which is very active and shows recent photographs and descriptions of walks.

**What time do walks start?**

Full-day walks start at 10:15 and finish between 3 pm and 4 pm. Saturday walks start at 1:30 pm, and Sunday walks start at 10:15 am for full or half-day walks. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the walk to meet the leader and find out any last-minute details about the walk.

**Where do you walk?**

We mainly walk in the Essex area within a 30-mile radius of Chelmsford. During the winter months, we organise some walks in London which can generally be guaranteed as mud-free, and in the summer months, we have coach rambles to locations further afield in neighbouring counties. We organise an annual walking week in a different part of the country in August.

**What do I bring on a walk?**

Although Essex is a relatively flat county, many footpaths can often become rutted and uneven during bad weather and very muddy. It is recommended you wear walking boots and bring waterproofs if rain is forecast. A suitably sized rucksack to hold drinks and snacks for breaks during the day, a packed lunch if necessary, a hat and sunscreen in summer, and either use boot covers or remove muddy boots when using pub facilities.

We also encourage our members to carry emergency contact details such as those specified on the [Ramblers ICE Card (In Case of Emergency Card)](https://chelmer-blackwater.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/information/10-9-26-dates-for-your-diary-for-details-seec-b-news/ice-card), which can be downloaded and printed or obtained from committee members. Otherwise, please carry written emergency contact details in some form with you.

**Do I need to book on a walk or can I just turn up?**

We currently do not run a booking system for walks unless this is specified in the walks programme where a leader may want to restrict numbers for a particular reason. If it is your first walk, please make yourself known to the leader so that they can welcome you, introduce you to other members of the group, and give you any specific information you may need. You can contact the walk leader before the walk if their details are given in the walk listing - otherwise, the group contact details will be shown, and they will pass your request on to the walk leader if time permits.

**Do I need to be a member of Ramblers before I join your walks?**

You are very welcome to try out two or three walks with us first to see if it suits you before becoming a Ramblers member. If you decide to join Ramblers, you can specify our group as your local group when joining, and then you will receive our newsletter and access information on the members-only page of this website. Once a member of Ramblers, you are able to walk with any rambling group in the country. To join Ramblers, see the 'Join the Ramblers' link on the [homepage](https://chelmer-blackwater.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/).

**How do I know if there are changes to a walk?**

In the rare event that a walk is cancelled, this will show in our Walks Program. Walk leaders may add more information about a walk to the programme nearer the time of a walk, so it is always advisable to check the walks programme before attending a walk.

**Are you on social media and do you organise social activities?**

We have an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where walkers like to submit photos of recent walks. See the [homepage](https://chelmer-blackwater.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/) for the link. All our group members are automatically members of our Social group, which organises the Coach Rambles, the annual walking holiday, quizzes, and other social events throughout the year.

**Are dogs allowed?**

It is our policy not to allow dogs on our walks - however, we occasionally have dog-friendly walks on our programme and have a group policy for members to follow if they bring a dog on such a walk. Please see [C&B Dog Ramble Policy March 2026](https://chelmer-blackwater.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/information/10-9-26-dates-for-your-diary-for-details-seec-b-news/c-b-dog-ramble-guidelines-march-2026).

**How do I get to the start of walks?**

There may be an option to use public transport to get to the start of some of our walks - however, most walks start at a location where car parking has been checked by the leader of the walk and information given in the programme. We encourage members to car share where possible for environmental reasons.

Also, see the [C&B Information for Walkers](https://chelmer-blackwater.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/home/information-for-walkers).

**We look forward to meeting you on a walk!**

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