Please note that this page contains information for when we are walking 'normally' so some things may not apply during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please click the Contact Us button and ask a question if you can't find the answer or need more information.
Which Walk?
Q. How do I join the Group?
- Just turn up at Goring Village Hall five minutes before the start of your chosen walk, bringing your completed Walker Registration Form (WRF) with you (see below for more information about this form)
- Please note that you can fill this form in on-line which saves us time when administering the group, but you do still need to bring a hard copy with you on your first walk. Follow this link to fill in the on-line form by selecting Join This Scheme as Walker.
- This is a question that all newcomers must ask themselves, but it is not easily answered.
- We grade our walks A, B, C & First Steps. See the table below for more information on how to interpret these grades.
- There are many factors that need to be considered including your current health. If you are in any doubt, contact us and we will try and advise you.
- We have reproduced a formula to help you work out what your Heart Rate Training Zone is. Click the link to go to this page.
- Make sure that you have eaten before you walk or you will run out of energy as soon as you start climbing a hill.
- Comfortable clothes, preferably in thin layers (you will get warm and may need to shed some)
- Comfortable shoes, with grip soles (we walk off road as much as possible)
- A hat if it is sunny or wet
- A small bottle of water, especially in warm weather
- Any medication you may need (inhaler or tablets?)
- A walking pole if you think it may help
- Cash for an optional, sociable coffee after the walk
- We do not charge anything. All walks are free. Our leaders are all volunteers.
New Walkers
The leaders will adapt the walk to suit all participants. This might mean that faster walkers will be asked to walk a loop or the slower ones take a short cut in order to keep the whole group together at the end of the walk. It is therefore logical that some walkers will cover a greater distance than others over the same time period. The experienced members of the group also know when to double back or take a rest to allow others to catch up.
New walkers are always monitored and leaders will make sure that they are not left behind. It is essential that new walkers do not feel that they are holding up the rest of the group. Everyone walks at their own pace. It is surprising just how fast new walkers improve their fitness level within just a few weeks.
We offer a First Steps walk on Tuesdays. If necessary this can be an individually tailored walk. If you are interested in this walk, or know someone that might be, please Contact us and we will be happy to advise availability and ensure that a leader is available.
When you come to your first walk, please download the Walking for Health Walker Registration Form (WRF) fill it in and bring it with you. This saves time at the start of the walk.
To help a newcomer decide which group to join, the chart below shows what would be expected of a walker joining any one of our groups.
New walkers are always monitored and leaders will make sure that they are not left behind. It is essential that new walkers do not feel that they are holding up the rest of the group. Everyone walks at their own pace. It is surprising just how fast new walkers improve their fitness level within just a few weeks.
We offer a First Steps walk on Tuesdays. If necessary this can be an individually tailored walk. If you are interested in this walk, or know someone that might be, please Contact us and we will be happy to advise availability and ensure that a leader is available.
When you come to your first walk, please download the Walking for Health Walker Registration Form (WRF) fill it in and bring it with you. This saves time at the start of the walk.
To help a newcomer decide which group to join, the chart below shows what would be expected of a walker joining any one of our groups.
GradeFirst Steps
C B A A+ |
Duration10 to 45 minutes variable
30 to 45 minutes 45 to 60 minutes 45 to 75 minutes 75 to 90 minutes |
Distance1/4 to 1.5 miles
1.5 to 3 miles 3 to 4.5 miles 4.5 to 5.5 miles 5 to 7 miles |
TerrainLevel, even pavement or surfaced footpath
Fairly level, some 'off road' and gentle hills. Gates but no stiles All terrains with the possibility of steep hills and stiles All terrains with the possibility of steep hills and stiles All terrains with the possibility of steep hills and stiles |
Fitness levelNot used to walking or recovering from injury or illness. Often referred by a Doctor. One to one led if required
Not walked much before, Looking to be more active, recovering from illness or injury. Elderly Fit and able to sustain a speed of 2.5 miles an hour for 15 minutes or more Fit and able to sustain a speed of 3 miles an hour for 20 minutes or more Fit and able to sustain a speed in excess of 4 miles an hour for 30 minutes or more |
Regular routes
Because of the unique walking opportunities of the Goring Gap, it is not possible to publish walk routes in advance. Indeed it is recognised that the informality of the Goring Gap Health Walks is the very reason that so many regular people support them. Because of the number of routes available it is rarely necessary to repeat a route more than once every four to six weeks and even then there may be variations of direction and loops.
Walk leaders take several factors into account when choosing which route to take, none of which can be predicted in advance.
Walk leaders take several factors into account when choosing which route to take, none of which can be predicted in advance.
- The weather will dictate on or off road
- Some woodland paths become very muddy and slippery even if it only rains a little
- The number of walkers may prevent the use of narrow paths or stiles and may require a split group
- The ability of the walkers
- The number of available leaders
Special walks
Special walks such as Daffodil, Bluebell, Boxing Day, New Year's Day etc. may start from another point or at a different time. These are clearly marked on the Leaders Rosters. We need to emphasise that the longer walks around Christmas are not recorded as Health Walks and therefore walkers join these walls at their own risk.
Regular walkers, particularly those who have told us their e-mail address, will be informed and reminded in advance if a walk starts somewhere other than the normal place.
New walkers and those without transport will be collected from the Village Hall and taken to the start.
Keep an eye on Latest News for details of up and coming special walks.
Regular walkers, particularly those who have told us their e-mail address, will be informed and reminded in advance if a walk starts somewhere other than the normal place.
New walkers and those without transport will be collected from the Village Hall and taken to the start.
Keep an eye on Latest News for details of up and coming special walks.
Dogs - policy
Dogs are welcome provided that they are kept on a lead when walking on public roads and are under control and obedient when off the lead in open places, particularly where there are grazing cattle.
On National Trust or other land, where there are notices requiring dogs to be kept on a lead, owners MUST comply with the notice.
Owners must be aware of their dog at all times and ensure that the dog does not weave in an out between the legs of other walkers and cause someone to trip.
If the walk leader feels that a dog is not properly controlled they may ask the owner to control the dog or leave the walk.
GGHW or Ramblers do not accept any responsibility for any incident or damage caused by a dog and advises owners to take out insurance against accident and third party liability.
On National Trust or other land, where there are notices requiring dogs to be kept on a lead, owners MUST comply with the notice.
Owners must be aware of their dog at all times and ensure that the dog does not weave in an out between the legs of other walkers and cause someone to trip.
If the walk leader feels that a dog is not properly controlled they may ask the owner to control the dog or leave the walk.
GGHW or Ramblers do not accept any responsibility for any incident or damage caused by a dog and advises owners to take out insurance against accident and third party liability.
