🥾 Become a Walk Leader with LWR

We are always keen to encourage members to join our enthusiastic band of walk leaders. This helps us offer a wider range of walking opportunities and keeps group sizes manageable. If you are interested, talk to one of our existing leaders or explore the excellent resources on the Ramblers website here.

📘 Key Resources

• Walk Leader Handbook — Eight guiding principles and best practice for leading group walks.
• Walk Leaders Checklist
• Recommended Kit (including emergencies)
• Risk Assessment Guidance

📝 Getting Started

You must be a Ramblers member and set up a My Ramblers Account. Once that’s done, email our membership secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your contact details and membership number. She’ll register you as a volunteer, giving you access to online training courses.

🎓 Training Courses

From May 2024, two free online courses are mandatory for new walk leaders:

• Walk Leadership Foundations — ethos, planning, choosing routes (60–90 minutes).
• Preventing & Managing Incidents — preparation, recces, first aid awareness, incident response (60 minutes).

These can be done in your own time and saved in sections.

🤝 Extra Support

We can pair you with an experienced leader as a buddy, or you can start by co-leading walks. Choose routes you know well to begin with — or use online resources such as Ramblers Routes, National Trust, or The Walking Englishman.

📱 Digital Tools

Digital route planning apps like OS Maps and Outdoor Active are invaluable. Both require subscriptions but are worth the investment.

🗓 Publishing Your Walk

Once you’ve chosen a walk, contact your walk coordinator with the details. See our walk grids for what’s needed.

✅ Tips for a Great Walk

• Pick a start point with adequate parking and make it clear.
• Choose a good lunch stop and, if possible, a pub or café at the end.
• Stick to public rights of way or open access land.
• Safety first — warn of hazards (roads, stiles, slippery paths).
• Check that the back of the group knows when you change direction.
• Set the pace, and appoint a back marker if >10 people.
• Allow slower walkers to rest before moving on.
• Adjust start times for seasons (earlier in winter, later in summer).
• Team up with friends — leading can be a shared effort.
• Most importantly: enjoy the walk!