2 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
This handbook sets out the Ramblers’ eight guiding principles to leading safe, enjoyable and welcoming walks. While all activities in the outdoors come with risks, these are far outweighed by the rewards. And by working together to identify, communicate and manage risks on the day, we can make walks safer for everyone. Wherever you are on your walk leading journey, this handbook offers helpful insights and reminders – and for new walk leaders, it’s the perfect place to start. So, get out there, stay safe and most importantly, have fun. Thank you for helping to open up the outdoors for everyone! For more information, visit
3 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
We set standards for great group walks and provide general training,
tools and resources to help groups and walk leaders get started. We support walk leaders to build
We plan in advance, prepare for the
make dynamic changes on the day. We look after ourselves and others
so that everyone has a great walk. 4 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
5 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
As Britain’s walking charity, the Ramblers is here to support walk leaders across England, Scotland and Wales. We’ll help you by providing guidance and training. You’ll find plenty of tips, stories and videos on our website – and we’re on hand to answer any questions you have about leading group walks too!
Groups work together with their walk leaders to share local knowledge and bring good practice to life. There will be a wealth of knowledge in your walking group and other members may be able to help you with: • Local knowledge and experience: Buddying up with experienced walk leaders is great if you’re new to leading walks. They can share local knowledge and tips to help make your walks safer and enjoyable for everyone taking part. • Local training: Sharing local resources or recommended courses to develop your skills. • Planning: The group may have a bank of routes that they have already graded and assessed for risks, so you can make the most of the work that’s already been done to plan walks in advance. • Sharing information with walkers: Advertising your walk and providing key information to those who are interested in coming along. This will help people choose the right walk for them and prepare for it. 6 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
While you will be leading the walk, there is lots of support to help you. In return, you’ll follow the Ramblers guiding principles to play your part in keeping walkers safe. As a walk leader there are certain things you must do:
We have example risk assessments Adopt or adapt our resources in a way according to walk difficulty to help that works for you to manage any you get started. specific considerations for your walk. Share your plan Make changes if with walkers you need to You can do this in your welcome Stay alert to your surroundings briefing at the start of the walk and walkers and take a dynamic before setting off. approach on the day.
Regardless of whether they’re a new walker or already have lots of experience, walkers should try to make sure they: • Choose the right walk: The walk should be within their abilities and if they’re unsure whether it is, they should get in touch with the walking group or walk leader to find out more. • Wear appropriate clothes: By checking the weather forecast, they can make sure they wear appropriate clothing and footwear. • Follow your guidance: It’s important walkers follow any instructions shared by you, the walk leader. • Respect the countryside: All walkers should follow the Countryside Code or Scottish Outdoor Access Code. 7 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
If you’re just starting out, or want to start leading more challenging walks, build your skills and knowledge through training and help from more experienced walk leaders. Check the Ramblers skills framework to understand the skills needed and what you might want to develop over time.
When you’re leading a walk, you don’t have to do everything by yourself. You may choose to delegate some responsibilities to trusted people in the group. What’s important is that between you, you have everything you need to walk safely and have fun. Plan in advance, to make sure you have everything covered before setting off.
Training courses, peer support and maybe even getting a qualification are great ways to develop your skills. 8 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
When planning a walk, doing a recce is strongly recommended. It will help you work out how much time you’ll need, find places of interest and good rest stops, as well as spot potential risks and accessibility issues. If a recce isn’t possible, you can plan using maps, guidebooks, existing routes, and blogs. You can also speak to people who know the area and build on their knowledge to plan and foresee any opportunities or challenges. It’s important to have a good understanding of the terrain to make sure your planning is proportionate. 9 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
The weather plays an important role on a walk. Check the forecast before heading out and prepare for how different weather conditions might affect your plans.
As a walk leader, you must always plan and assess the risks in advance. Decide the grade of the walk you’re leading and refer to the corresponding Ramblers’ risk assessment. These outline common hazards and steps you can take to manage the potential risks, proportionate to the type of walk you’re leading. Someone in your group may have already assessed the route for a previous walk. You can use these as a starting point to think about your specific walk. We recommend making a note of any additional hazards on your recce – for example if there’s an obstruction on the route, or if the weather has made one spot particularly tricky.
make changes if you need to. Remember to share your plan and any important information with walkers before setting off too. 10 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
We recommend sharing our information for walkers with everyone. This gives helpful tips and reminders for them to follow, before they join a walk – you can adapt it for your group.
When advertising your walk, include as much information you can about the route, terrain, pace, and whether any particular kit is needed. For example, you might remind walkers to bring gaiters for a particularly muddy walk, or additional supplies if you’re tackling a long, challenging route.
Let walkers know how to contact you if they have any questions before the walk. 11 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
While every walk is different, our leader:walker ratios are a good indicator of the number of leaders typically needed to manage a group safely.
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks 1:10 Easy and Easy Access 1:10 Leisurely and Moderate 1:8 Strenuous 1:6 Technical 1:4 Think about the number of walkers you feel confident to lead and whether you would be able to manage in an emergency. This will depend on several factors, including the route, the conditions, your experience and the experience of walkers in your group. 12 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
For larger groups you will most likely need support from a co-leader or a backmarker. These roles could simply be taken on by an experienced member of the group who is happy to lend a hand on the day. As well as thinking about others, you should also consider your own comfort levels and safety. Don’t ever feel under pressure to walk alone with strangers. If it’s helpful, ask a friend to walk with you if numbers are low.
Sometimes you will need to limit the group size – for example, if the route is unfamiliar or you are building your confidence. In these circumstances, you may choose to apply a booking system. Your walking group will be able to help. 13 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
Knowing who is on the walk is important in case of an emergency. You can do this in a variety of ways, and should choose a method that works for you. For example, you can:
Accidents can happen on any walk, and as a walk leader you will need to react and manage the situation. This may involve looking after a casualty, making sure the rest of the group are comfortable and calling for help. Our Preventing and Managing Incidents training includes first aid awareness and the most common scenarios. Check the skills framework too, to ensure you have the right level of first aid skills for your walk within the group.
If you are planning a remote walk, let someone at home know your plans so they can raise the alarm if you don’t return at the expected time. Our route card is a helpful tool for this. 14 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
It’s helpful to think ahead and ask yourself if the group may need extra layers, food or water at any stage in the day – this is especially important if things don’t go to plan. You can always ask the group to help carry some items if there’s a lot to carry.
kinds of walk, including:
• Safety equipment 15 The Walk Leader Handbook: The Ramblers’ approach to group walks
Keep an eye on the group, weather, terrain and time. Continuously assessing risk in this way means you can adapt your plans if the conditions change. Because you’ll already have assessed and identified the key risks and hazards in advance, it’s usually quite straightforward to spot when something has changed and to draw on your contingency plans. By walking within the group, chatting with people and keeping in touch with how they are doing, you will have a good sense of what the group needs and anything you can do to help them get the most from the walk. When we only lead from the front it can be hard to know what’s happening behind us, gauge team spirit or notice when people are struggling.
Set a pace that suits everyone and makes sure you never leave anyone behind by going too fast. Taking regular breaks that give enough time for everyone to recharge (without getting too cold) helps reduce the risk of fatigue and injury.
Your leadership style may need to change in response to what’s happening on the walk. You may need to give people specific instructions to keep them safer in difficult situations, while a more relaxed approach will be appropriate when conditions are more favourable. When facing uncertain or changing conditions, it’s best to be cautious because safety is paramount. Never feel like you can’t turn back or change your plans. At times walkers may feel disappointed or try to persuade us to keep going, but your role is to put safety first.