Training Walks before the Great Glen Way 2010

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 Great Glen Way walk!

Depending on the average distances you're aiming to cover on each of the Great Glen days (6, 12 or 16 miles), you should start your programme with what you can manage now, working up to do some walks in May at your target distance. So we're intending to start in February with walks in the 6-10 mile range, ending in April/May with some long walks and some shorter ones.

But we do need lots of you to volunteer to lead the walks. So please contact Patrick Wyman on 020 8863 1662 or by e-mail. At weekends there are often so many walkers that it's best if the walk leader can arrange a "sweeper" who knows the route and can ensure that nobody is left behind.

Dates and arrangements

General points

If the weather is seriously bad, the leader may decide to cancel. Contact him/her by phone. Some leaders may only use their mobiles on the day. If he/she is unable to lead the walk due to illness, etc., we will try to make alternative arrangements, but this may not be feasible. So it is generally advisable to contact the leader the previous day. Given reasonable notice, alternative arrangements will be posted here.
These walks are arranged primarily for the benefit of those who are intending to support St Luke's Hospice by taking part in the Great Glen Way sponsored walk. Other walkers are very welcome on payment of a £2 donation to Hospice funds, which will be collected by the walk leader.
The leader will aim to set a pace appropriate to the day's intended mileage and hours of daylight. If you want to go off ahead and find the route yourself that will be up to you.
Particularly at weekends when the numbers walking can be quite large, we will try to arrange for a "sweeper" who knows the route, as well as a leader, so that people at the back of the group don't feel abandoned.
If you find that you cannot maintain the necessary pace, the leader may suggest that you drop out at some point where you can pick up transport. Please cooperate.
Most, but not all, of these walks are circular, returning to the start point.
Please aim to arrive on time - the leaders will only wait for 5 minutes after the scheduled start. Leaders may identify themselves by displaying a sunflower!
Do check whether train services will be affected by maintenance work. We planned this programme in December to use services that were not shown as being disrupted in the Transport for London 6-month look ahead, but things can change. Any significant effects will be shown in this website when, and if, we become aware of them.
On London Midland (e.g. Harrow & Wealdstone to Tring) and Chiltern (e.g. Harrow-on-the-Hill to Amersham, Wendover or High Wycombe) train services, GroupSave fares are usually available. This offers 3 or 4 tickets for people travelling together, both ways, for the price of 2.
If you can offer, or would like to have, car transport, please contact the leader in good time before the day.
Car drivers, please note that Chiltern Railways car parks are for train passengers only.
Preferably bring your own lunch, or you may be able to get a quick lunch at a pub or cafe. These are training walks, so don't keep other walkers waiting by ordering something that has to be cooked specially.
Walking boots are recommended for all the walks. Mud, nettles, brambles, wind and rain all add to the enjoyment if you're prepared!

Programme

Details will be filled in as they become settled. We may add some extra mid-week walks if enough of you ask for them.
Many of our favourite walking routes are in the Chilterns, accessed by the Metropolitan and Chiltern Railways. The weekend line closures which have plagued us in past years now seem to be very much reduced, with none west of Harrow on the Hill on our walking days before Easter!

Sunday 7 February
General Area: Uxbridge to Watford Miles: 10 Easy, not a circular walk
Meeting time: 10.00 Meeting place: Uxbridge station
Leader: Bryan Cozens
Following the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne. The Colne Valley was the original route of the Thames.
The training walk season made a well-supported start with 31 walkers on a chilly grey day.

Saturday 13 February
General Area: Circular walk from Chesham Miles: 8 Moderate
Meeting time: 10.35 Meeting place: Chesham station
Leader: John Flint
Generally easy, but some short steep climbs. Bring your own lunch. Guaranteed comfortable loo stop, tea and biscuits approx 1 mile from the end at John's home (subject to not excessive numbers). Maybe even one of his special cakes (see the recipe)!
On another cold grey day, 18 walkers set out from Chesham into a sleet shower. On at least one of the climbs, we were all carrying up extra pounds of mud on our boots. However, at least 10 of us were encouraged onwards by the thought of a John Flint Special cake!

Monday 15 February
General Area: Northwood to Rickmansworth via Harefield Miles: 9 Easy. Not circular.
Meeting time: 10.00am Meeting place: Northwood station
Leader: Barry Searle
Generally easy walking, initially through Ruislip Woods. Muddy in places.
11 of us left Northwood on a grey, chilly morning to explore Ruislip Woods and beyond. Apart from a few snow flakes the weather kept fine but it was very muddy underfoot. With Tom uncharacteristically bringing up the rear the group reached Rickmansworth in good spirits.

Sunday 21 February
General Area: Wimbledon, Richmond and Kew Miles: 12½ Easy. Not a circular walk
Meeting place: Wimbledon Park station, District Line
Leader: Dave Colvill
A rain-soaked morning saw a total of 23 brave people turn up at Wimbledon Park station; but as the start time of 10:15 approached the big surprise was the rain stopped; most thought this was a temporary break in what was forecast as a very wet day, but as it turned out the rain held off for the entire walk! Result! Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park provided us with plenty of mud, and new rivers running across the paths and grassland, but nothing to stop us pushing on with the walk. Lunch break was at the top of Richmond Hill where we had clear views across West London and maybe as far as Windsor Castle.

Saturday 27 February
General Area: Views over London Miles: 10 Moderate
Meeting time: 10.00 Meeting place: Hampstead Heath station, on the corner of South End Road and South Hill Park.
Leaders: Hugo Hodge and Deborah Tyler
A figure of 8 walk over Parliament Hill to Highgate and through the woods to Alexandra Palace, returning through Priory Park and Queen's Wood to Kenwood and back across Hampstead Heath. Cafes in Highgate Woods and Kenwood.
32 walkers joined us for the walk over Hampstead Heath to Highgate and Alexandra Palace [5 disappeared into the rain at Alexandra Palace, never to be seen again...] Great views from Parliament Hill and the old railway line from Highgate to Alexandra Palace. We kept to tarmac paths as much as possible because everywhere was waterlogged but in Highgate Woods it began to pour and the forecast shower became a constant downpour. Lunch break in the Palm Court at Alexandra Palace gave us a chance to dry off, and the sun came out for a while. By the time we got to Queens Wood we gave up trying to avoid mud and though the exhibition at Kenwood of 'Lost London' was tempting, we were all too muddy to go in. Everyone thought it had been a good opportunity to try out suitable clothing for Scotland; some rainwear and walking boots did not make the grade.

Sunday 7 March
General Area: Chess Valley circular walk Miles: 7¼ Easy
Leader: Patrick Wyman
A pleasant walk up and down the sides of this beautiful valley in the Chilterns. A few stiles. Probable stop for a drink at Sarrat Church End.
28 of us enjoyed wall-to-wall sunshine and blue sky. :-) But the leader hadn't quite allowed for the advanced stage of training you had reached, and we arrived at the Cock Inn before they'd opened! :-( Then the front group led us right past the short cut to the Red Lion at Chenies! :-( But it was a good healthy day...

Saturday 13 March
General Area: Circular walk from Great Missenden Miles: 9 Easy
Leader: Jane Forbes
A favourite part of the Chilterns, visiting both sides of the Misbourne valley. Bring your own lunch. Pub and loo stop at Hyde Heath.
22 walkers (but no photographer), and the mileage turned out to be 10.3. "However, it was very undulating in the first half, had a great many stiles in the second and was muddy, muddy, muddy so we all agreed that it was really more of a moderate than an easy.
It was lovely and sunny to start with but unfortunately had clouded over by the time we got to the pub so it was a bit chilly at lunch as the tables on the common are rather exposed to the elements. Luckily there was no rain. Anyway, everyone seemed to enjoy it."

Tuesday 16 March
General Area: The Beverley Brook Walk Miles: 8½ Easy. Not circular
Leader: Jean Sippy
Through Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park and Barnes Common, finishing with a bit along the Thames and returning from Hammersmith. Opportunity to shorten at Barnes. Bring your own lunch.
Twelve people enjoyed a lovely riverside walk in perfect Spring weather - and not a stile in sight!

Saturday 20 March
General Area: Uxbridge to the Thames Miles: 14½ Moderate, not a circular walk.
Leader: Bryan Cozens
Following the Grand Union Canal through a historic part of Middlesex. After reaching the Thames, we retrace our steps to Boston Manor station, although there are nearer bus stops.
15 walkers ignored the forecast of constant rain and experienced only occasional light showers in the morning and one brief one in the afternoon. With barges on the canal and rowers on the Thames plus much improved display boards on the canal history, good company ensured an enjoyable walk. Both Middle (11 miles) and Full Distance (16 miles) made excellent time, finishing the route an hour earlier than scheduled. Unfortunately much of that achievement was negated by the tardy Piccadilly line alternative bus service at Boston Manor, and then seemingly single train running on the Ealing Common to Rayners Lane line having a tea-break in the turn-around siding. Nevertheless, a good and encouraging day.

Saturday 27 March
General Area: Cadmore End circular walk Miles: 11 Moderate
Leaders: Janet Clow and Martin Atkins
The popular 11 mile walk in the heart of the Chiltern countryside - backwards! The route passes through fields and woodland and the tranquil villages of Fingest, Turville and Skirmett. There are several climbs and many beautiful views.
Despite the only access being by car, a record number of 35 walkers made their way out to Cadmore End and enjoyed this deservedly popular walk. In one of the woods they met a family of toads, and were rewarded at the end by "the cream tea to die for"!

Sunday 4 April (Easter)
General Area: South-west from Berkhamsted Miles: 9 Easy/Moderate
Leader: Patrick Wyman
The walk passes through the lost village of Marlin and the hilltop village of Hawridge. After a ridge walk we drop down to farmland and Hockeridge Woods, returning to Berkhamsted. Some patches will be muddy after rain. The Rose and Crown at Hawridge will welcome us in their garden, to have either their food or our own with a drink.
19 walkers enjoyed this non-Met Line part of the Chilterns on the best day of the Easter period. We strongly recommend the Rose and Crown. The ponies (see pic) had ignored Patrick on his recce, but hoped that the other 18 might produce something!

Saturday 10 April
General Area: Around Amersham Miles: 15? Moderate
Leader: John Flint
Some hills and undulations. It may be possible to get a drink, but bring your own lunch.
23 walkers came on the walk round Amersham on 10th April, in excellent weather. Either they were all exceptionally fit, or it wasn't 15 miles! John reckons it should be considered as 13 1/3 miles.

Wednesday 14 April
General Area: Circular walk from Chorleywood Miles: 13 or 7 Moderate
Leader: Peter Moss
13 undulating miles through the pretty villages of Latimer, Belsize, Flaunden, Chenies and Sarratt Church End. There's a 7 mile option.
18 walkers (plus Benjy the dog) had an enjoyable walk in dry but chilly conditions (one joining at Latimer). 2 peeled off on the shorter distance and 3 politely declined the climb to Sarratt Church.

Sunday 18 April
General Area: Saunderton,West Wycombe and Lacey Green Miles: 14 or 11 Moderate to difficult
Leader: Dave Colvill
A tour of the pretty villages and hills to the north of West Wycombe. Lunch stop at The Hampden Arms, garden at pub, benches on common next to pub.
Nice sunny day, the Chiltern Hills and 27 St Luke’s walkers. Couldn’t ask for better conditions for this walk, the ground had dried so no MUD to deal with. A few challenging hills to tackle but great views of the rolling countryside were a good reward.

Saturday 24 April
General Area: Chess Valley circular from Northwood Miles: 15 or 10 Moderate
Leader: David Turner
Urban walk developing into the Chess Valley and including a visit to Bishop's Wood Country Park. Little used footpaths, the London Loop, dismantled railways, Grand Union canal towpath and the Hillingdon Trail all feature in this walk, as does a special lunch location, subject to confirmation. 10 mile option, returning from Rickmansworth station.
17 people took part in this flatter and unmuddy walk with a bright sunny start. Many were surprised at the paths that existed and of the pretty sights at Hamper Mill and Croxley Common Moor whilst all seemed to enjoy a jelly baby hunt in Whippendell woods.

Sunday 2 May
General Area: Great Missenden to Wendover and back Miles: 15 Moderate/challenging
Leader: Tom Cryan
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. Just a bit muddy in places.
"The walk was quite a success. The fine spring weather had deserted us but 19 hardy souls turned up for a very wet start. The walk is basically a thing of two halves and whilst it was wet for the first half it cleared up for the second half." The trees are in a wonderful new leaf colour. Photo by Lucy Patten.

Saturday 8 May
General Area: Hertfordshire Chilterns Miles: 16½ Moderate
Leaders: Lucy Patten and Pete Thomas
We start on a small section of the Chiltern Way, then pass Bovingdon and go on to Flaunden and down Flaunden Hill. Next we go through Lye Green, skirting the edge of Chesham, before turning again at Ashley Green. Then up over Mount's Hill and finish with a short section along the Grand Union Canal. Lunch stop at the Black Cat pub at Lye Green.
It was a grey, overcast day but we got away with only a little light rain. Nineteen started out from Hemel Hempstead Station but four opted to finish after we all had had lunch and an excellent pint at the Black Cat pub in Lye Green. As we walked we passed a farm sign that stated "Our dog is not a vegetarian" and we braved a nervous horse (too many walkers made it jittery) but all made it safely back to the station.

Sunday 16 May
General Area: The Hampden Walk Miles: 13 Moderate/challenging
Leader: Sue and Ted Allett
The Hampden Walk explores the escarpment above Whiteleaf visiting some of the most famous Chiltern landmarks. The beginning of the walk, in part, follows the popular Ridgeway Trail before heading south to Great Hampden. The finale is a magnificent descent from the wooded Windsor Hill through a sweeping curve of fields to Monks Risborough.
Sadly, Sue and Ted Allett were unable to lead the walk but fortunately for the 27 people who turned up, their friend Alison Sadnicka bravely stepped in to be the leader (with, she told Lucy, a little help from Peter Moss and Tony Prothero). It was an invigorating walk with several good hills. As we started the steep climb up Coombe Hill we met the newly arrived Dartmoor ponies (put there to keep the chalk grasslands in good condition). We had a bite to eat at the Coombe Hill Monument and a drink at the Hampden Arms after which the rain began - interesting how quickly rain can make a dry, dusty path into a sticky, slippery one ! Thank you Alison for an excellent walk.

Thursday 20 May
General Area: Donkey Wood to Uxbridge Lock Miles: 12 Easy
Leader: Jean Sippy
Although mostly flat, this walk is very varied . It follows part of the London Loop alongside the River Crane and the Grand Union Canal and across Stockley Park. It then meets the River Colne at the Little Britain Lakes before rejoining the canal to take you up to Uxbridge. Opportunity to shorten the walk.
10 people enjoyed this very pretty walk. We had nice sunny weather and all the mud had dried up. Nature was all around us with ducklings, cygnets, moor chicks and a heron.

Saturday 22 May
General Area: Two circular walks from Stokenchurch, either side of lunch.
Miles: 7 before lunch and 7 after Moderate
Leader: Janet Clow and Martin Atkins
Choose either or both of two walks exploring the woodland and hills on either side of the M40. Stokenchurch is on the A40, a short distance from junction 5 of the M40. (Loos available at Beaconsfield services, junction 2). Best to bring a packed lunch, although you may be able to buy something in Stokenchurch. Lunch time drink opportunity at the Fleur de Lis pub, opposite the King's Arms Hotel, set back across the green.
The morning was glorious. The lunchtime pint in the pub was badly needed. The afternoon was hot and hilly. Then we had a reviving tea in the King's Arms Hotel!

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