To enjoy this walk to the full everyone should do enough training to get their limbs, feet and breathing in good condition. Some of this you can do in a gym, but much the best way is to take part in our training walks programme. You exercise all the right bits of the body, you walk with friendly people and, best of all, it's free if you're signed up for the Exmoor walk!
Depending on the average distances you're aiming to cover on each of the Exmoor days (6, 12 or 16 miles), you
should start your programme with what you can manage now, working up to do some walks in April at your target distance.
So we're intending to start with walks in the 6-10 mile range, ending in April with some long walks and some shorter ones.
An easy nine mile walk that takes in two large country parks. Lunch stop by the lake in Black Park, though we don’t know whether the cafe will be open. Meet at Uxbridge station at 10.30.There should be a suitable 10.08 train from Harrow on the Hill, but as services may be disturbed by line closures on other parts of the Met line it might be best to aim for the 09.58 train. Leader: Patrick Wyman 020 8863 1662 (mobile on morning of walk: 07890 997686)
Exploring the Chesham area. 8 miles with some short steep climbs. Bringing your own lunch is advised, but a pub stop may be possible, depending on timing. Leader: John Flint 01494 783011 (mobile 07773 403202) Guaranteed comfortable loo stop, tea and biscuits approx 1 mile from the end, (subject to not excessive numbers!) at John's new home. Meet at Chesham station at 10.35. The 09.59 Amersham train from Harrow on the Hill should get you there at 10.33, changing at Chalfont and Latimer.
A (mostly) easy 6-7 mile walk through green spaces around our prominent landmark. Meet at the Lowlands Road entrance of Harrow on the Hill station at 9.45am. Some options to drop out on the way. Return to the station, or there are lunch or drink possibilities afterwards at The Castle Inn or elsewhere. Leader: Douglas Dodd 020 8864 2067 (mobile 07803 506923).
An easy 6½ mile circular walk along a mixture of field paths, country lanes, a golf course and the canal towpath. Pub lunch at Bovingdon or bring your own. Meet at Hemel Hempstead station at 10.40. The 10.14 train from Harrow and Wealdstone should get you there at 10.36. Car parking available at Hemel Hempstead station. Leader: Bryan Cozens 020 8422 7367 (mobile 07885 429403).
Exploring the woods and hills out to the west of Wendover along parts of the Icknield Way and the Ridgeway Path, this moderate 10 mile walk offers marvellous views and delightful woodlands. The bridleways can be very muddy at times. Lunch opportunity at The Plough, Lower Cadsden, or bring your own. Meet at Wendover station at 10.15. The 09.39 Aylesbury train from Harrow-on-the-Hill reaches Wendover at 10.14. Car drivers use the car park by the library in Wendover High Street or park in the road by The Shoulder of Mutton. Leader: Patrick Wyman 020 8863 1662 (mobile 07890 997686).
This 11 mile walk is mostly flat, following part of the London Loop alongside the River Crane, the Grand Union Canal, and across Stockley Park. Can be muddy, bring your own lunch. Meet at Hatton Cross station at 10.00 am. Catch the 09.09 London-bound Piccadilly train at Rayners Lane and change at Acton Town. Returning from Uxbridge on the Piccadilly Line – most Metropolitan services are replaced by buses. Leader: Jean Sippy 020 8422 1859 (mobile 07949 723858).
Ten miles through the open country and woodlands of the south-eastern Chilterns, returning from Hemel Hempstead station. Meet 10.55 am at Apsley station - train from Harrow & Wealdstone at 10.35 or Watford Junction at 10.42. Please note that there will be no Bakerloo trains to Harrow & Wealdstone in the morning, and probably no Overground trains (the stopping service from Euston) either. Car drivers should be able to park at Apsley station and come back from Hemel by train (3 per hour) or bus. Bring your own lunch, but there should be an opportunity for a drink at Chipperfield. Leaders: Hugo Hodge and Deborah Tyler - 020 8452 7410 (mobile: 0786 780 5289).
A 12 mile undulating walk through the Chilterns. Meet at Rickmansworth station at 9.50 am. The 09.39 Aylesbury train from Harrow on the Hill gets there at 09.49. Car parking is available at Rickmansworth. Leader: John Flint 01494 783011 (mobile 07773 403202)
Jane Forbes’ nine mile circular walk over Berkhamsted and Northchurch commons and back along the canal. Easy gradients but can be muddy. Lunchtime drink opportunity at the Valiant Trooper, Aldbury, but bring your own lunch. Meet in Berkhamsted station booking hall at 10.00 am. The 09.35 train from Harrow and Wealdstone should get there at 09.58. Station car park and station toilets are usually available. Jane’s phone number: 020 8428 6055, mobile 07778 660794.
10 miles following the Grand Union Canal towpath. Shorter options to Rickmansworth (7 miles) or Croxley Green (8.5 miles). Leave Uxbridge station at 10.00 am or the “Swan & Bottle” on the canal at 10.05 am. Stop for pub or picnic lunch at Rickmansworth. The 09.38 train from Harrow on the Hill should suit. Returning from Watford Met. or previous Met. stations. Leader: Bryan Cozens: 020 8422 7367 (mobile 07885 429403).
A circular walk of 7½ miles, which will take around 3¼ hours walking. Splendid views across the Chess Valley. Gentle slopes. Good lunch opportunity at the Cock Inn at Sarratt Church End. No loos apart from the pub and, usually, the railway station. Meet at Chorleywood station. (Leader not yet assigned)
Leader: David Turner: 020 8429 2882 (mobile: 07745 018288)
11 varied miles through Little Missenden, Hyde Heath and the outskirts of Chesham. Lunchtime drink opportunity at the Plough, Hyde Heath, but bring your own food. Meet at Amersham station at 10.00 am. The Metropolitan Line will be replaced by buses between Harrow on the Hill and Northwood. We hope later to be able to show the times of suitable buses from Harrow or of trains from Rickmansworth, where there is a large car park. Good car parking near Amersham station. Leader: Russell Sutcliffe 020 8863 6442 (mobile: 0789 115 3729).
(Leader not yet assigned)
Leader: Stuart Taylor 020 8868 8322. A varied walk of around 14 miles from Amersham to Ruislip Manor.
(Leader not yet assigned)
(Leader not yet assigned)
15 "not too strenuous" miles through a beautiful part of the Chilterns. Includes the spectacular view over the Vale of Aylesbury from Coombe Hill, though avoiding the slog up from Wendover. Meet at the car park in Link Road, Great Missenden at 10.15am. The 09.39 Aylesbury train should get to Great Missenden at 10.08. From the station, turn right down Station Approach to the High Street. Turn right for a few yards and then turn left into Link Road. The car park and toilets are a short way down on the left. Leader: Tom Cryan 020 8954 1647 (mobile 07885 096690).
An 11 mile scenic walk in the heart of the Chiltern countryside. The route passes through fields and woodland and the tranquil villages of Fingest, Skirmett and Turville. There are several climbs and many beautiful views. Meet at 11.00 am at Cadmore End. Leave the M40 at junction 4 and take A4010 towards Aylesbury. At the third roundabout (the second main one) turn left, signposted Lane End. Continue to a T junction and turn right onto B482. Pass through Lane End and on to Cadmore End. After passing the Old Ship Inn look out for a school warning sign. Pass the school on your right and immediately turn left onto a minor road, where you can park on the right-hand verge.
Lifts available on a "first come" basis. Please ring Janet Clow if you need, or can offer, transport. A packed lunch is recommended. A drink may be available at Skirmett. Leaders: Martin Atkins and Janet Clow. Janet's phone: 020 8903 7186. Janet's mobile: 07982 208846 (morning of walk) Martin's mobile: 07982 790589 (morning of walk)
Last updated on 6 January 2009
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