This page provides information on how the MVR walks programme is managed and guidance on how to prepare for, conduct and conclude each walk. The overall aim is to make all our walks welcoming, inclusive and safe. We hope that group walks can be enjoyable for all, including the leader. Time spent reviewing these pages will help prepare you and answer many of the most frequently asked questions.
If you would like to become an MVR walk leader, please read our Getting Started page first.
We plan our walks programme on a month by month basis using a process that is subject to regular review. If you aren't yet familiar with our current process, please read the Walks Programme Planning page.
All MVR walks are graded according to their difficulty, using the categories Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous, the definitions of which can be found on our Walk Grades page.
With the launch in May 2024 of the Ramblers' new guidance about safety on Group Walks, they have made it easier to access resources and volunteer training. There is no longer any need to log into Assemble. The resources for walk leaders are now available via their website here. There you will find:
- Walk Leader Handbook - this guidance is a helpful reminder for experienced walk leaders and the perfect place to start for new leaders.
- Walk Leader Checklist - a concise version of the Handbook.
- Skills Framework - suggestions for the skills you might need to lead the various grades of walk.
- Information for walkers - how Ramblers expect walkers to prepare and behave on our walks.
The Ramblers have provided some generic risk assessments that we.have adapted to our Group’s needs (see below).
Planning your walk
Checking the route: You might choose to create a new route, follow one that you already know, or find one published online. Once chosen, it is important to familiarise yourself with the route by conducting a recce, which will also provide an opportunity to note points of interest and location(s) for any refreshment breaks.
Consider the location, length, timing, season, terrain and points of interest. You might choose to recce your route more than once and to amend it if necessary to minimise any potential risks. If possible, it is worth checking the route close to the day of the walk, in case of any last minute path closures or other local problems.
Risk assessments: Ramblers volunteers must complete a risk assessment form before leading a walk to record hazards and plan steps to stay safe. We recommend doing this as part of the recce. The template can be found here. Please download, save and record your actions to mitigate risks in planning walks and checking routes.
Group size: Leaders are invited to think about what size of group they feel comfortable in leading. In MVR we encourage leaders to make walks open to all comers. We monitor the numbers on our walks through our monthly Walks Log Sheets and will adapt our programmes if necessary. In general, the range of group sizes on our walks is in most cases between 5 and 25, occasionally higher.
The new Ramblers Handbook for Walk Leaders (published May 2024) recommends particular group ratios of leaders to walkers (1:8 or 1:6). However, we can take account of help available from back markers, who can be appointed at the start of the walk; along with other experienced walkers or leaders who can help in any emergency or difficulty. The Ramblers guidance on group sizes can also take account of the terrain (and altitude) you are walking in, the grade of the walk, and the experience of the walkers and walk leader. New walk leaders might like to co-lead with another more experienced leader at first whilst they are building their confidence.
For some walks there might be circumstances in which leaders prefer to have a size limit, which is usually 15 or 20 people. To allow this we have a booking system using Google Sheets. In such cases, “Booking required” should be added to the walk title and the following text added to the end of the walk description:
How to book: Go to the Bookings page of our website: www.molevalleyramblers.org.uk/bookings (follow the website link, if shown)
The Web Address should also be set to https://molevalleyramblers.org.uk/bookings which links to the Booking page on the website.
At the start of your walk
-
Arrive in good time, having prepared your kit in ample time (map, route, mobile phone, rucksack, refreshments, boots etc)
-
Take a register of the names of all walkers and contact details (email address or mobile number) for any non-MVR walkers. You can find the latest (Oct 2024) walk register template here
-
Welcome everyone, especially newcomers as they arrive, find out how they heard about us (MVR website, Ramblers website, local paper etc.)
-
Where appropriate check the equipment of the party and be prepared to turn people away if circumstances demand.
-
Call everyone together at the start time, introduce any new members.
-
Give an overview of the walk, points of interest, refreshment stops, and any places where particular care is needed.
-
Outline your expectations of walkers, eg not leaving the group without informing the leader or back marker, allowing for the group to walk at the pace of the slowest members.
- Appoint a back marker if there are more than 10-15 walkers.
-
Keep in contact with the back marker throughout the walk, especially at any path junctions and after breaks. You might like to give them a copy of the route, or share one digitally.
Guidelines for dogs on walks
-
Remind dog owners to keep their dogs under effective control at all times and on short leads around livestock and wherever they might be a nuisance to other path users, for example on narrow paths, and during refreshment breaks.
- Dog owners are asked to be aware of nationally agreed guidelines about walking with dogs in the countryside. There will be some areas, and certain times of year when keeping dogs on paths will be especially important so as not to disturb ground nesting birds. It is always good practice to have dogs on leads at a safe distance from livestock, especially when they have young. Owners are responsible for the safety of dogs on or near roads.
-
In hot weather pauses may be needed to allow dogs to take water on board as well as humans.
-
Most dog owners will be aware of respecting the needs of other group members, but if problems do arise, leaders should speak to the dog owner concerned.
During your walk
-
Set a pace to suit the group’s capabilities.
-
Lead from the front, keep an eye on the rear and stop where paths divide, or after a hill, for everyone to catch up. Allow time for the last arrivals to recover before heading off again.
-
To add interest, point out landmarks or things of historical interest as appropriate.
-
Where there is road walking, ask everyone to keep in single file on the right, and take responsibility for themselves when crossing. Where there are blind bends it may be safer to walk on the left hand side.
-
Follow the Countryside Code at all times, especially to leave gates as you find them, and leave no litter (not even apple cores!).
-
Keep an eye on the weather and change your plans if needed.
-
Walks may be shortened, but never make them longer than advertised.
-
Note the grid references of any footpath problems, e.g. an obstruction or a broken stile
-
At the end of the walk, thank everyone for participating and encourage newcomers to walk with us again.
Finally, do make sure you enjoy the walk yourself !
After your walk
Walks Log: As soon as possible after the walk, enter the numbers (not names) of walkers on to the monthly MVR Walks Log Google Sheet. This is essential in keeping a tally of the size of groups and reviewing any changes necessary in future walks programmes.
Rights of way problems: Please log them on the SCC Countryside Access Management System (CAMS) computer system: rightsofway.surreycc.gov.uk. If you need help please contact either
Remember that rights of way are sometimes moved, and those updates may not show on an OS map. If you find that you are challenged by a landowner, please keep notes of what occurred, and follow up afterwards by checking the definitive map held by the County Council. The Countryside interactive map for Surrey can be found here
Walking Safely
For advice about keeping your group safe and how to respond if an incident occurs, please read our Safety Advice page.
