First Steps Walk – Ripley, North Yorkshire

What?  Would you like to take your girls out of the meeting place but are not sure where to start?  Do you lack confidence in navigation skills or where to find suitable routes?  Have you thought about working towards Level 1 Walking but want some practical experience?  Or do you just want to enjoy a walk with like-minded people and learn new skills along the way?

This is one of a series of half day walks for 2024 taking place across the region.  These are designed to be walks that you could take girls on without a qualification so long as you have the skills and confidence.  They will generally be along paths and tracks, through fields, woods or parkland.  They will not include long stretches of moorland or lots of hills.  They will usually be planned either from one of  Girlguiding’s residential centres/campsites or near an urban area which has many units.  If this sounds like what you would enjoy keep an eye on the website as each new walk is launched.  Hopefully there will be one not too far away from where you live.

Where?  Ripley, between Harrogate and Ripon

When?  Saturday 20 April 2024 – 10-1 pm

Who for?  Open to adult leaders.  No dogs or children.  This is to allow leaders to concentrate on learning new skills.

Description of the walk:  Around 6 – 8 km along tracks and through fields. May be some stiles. Undulating but no steep hills. This is a farming area so a livestock free route cannot be guaranteed.

Practical details: 

Where and when to meet – 09.50 at main car park in Ripley, HG3 3AY. There is a charge for the car park. Bus route 36 runs between Harrogate and Ripon through Ripley at 30 minute intervals on a Saturday. There are toilets in the car park. There is a tea shop by Ripley castle if you want to call there afterwards. Keep your parking receipt to get a discount there.

What to wear – Strong shoes or walking boots which will cope with muddy patches and some uneven surfaces. Layers to cope with varying temperatures. Waterproof jacket, and if you have them waterproof trousers. Not jeans as they hold the water and your legs get very cold.

What to bring – A daysack for drink, snacks, and spare layers. Map if you have your own. OS Explorer 298 covers all options. Some of the route is on OS Explorer 299. Similarly bring a compass if you have your own. A printout of the map will be available. Any personal medication, eg inhaler.

Cost?   £5 to cover mileage of walk leader plus a copy of the route for those who do not have a map of their own. This is non-refundable but is an appropriate cost to claim from unit funds.

How to apply?

Please complete the ‘Booking’ section below!  All bookings are subject to the following Booking Terms and Conditions.

Ticket sales will close at 11.30 pm on Sunday 14 April 2024

Payments can be made via Paypal, card or BACS. If you wish to pay by card make sure you click on the ‘Debit or Credit Card’ link just below the ‘Paypal’ one.  If you wish to pay by BACS click on the dropdown arrow next to ‘Pay by paypal’ and it will give you the BACS option.  BACS payments must be received within 48 working hours of booking or we reserve the right to cancel your booking.

Booking Terms and Conditions

By booking this ticket you are agreeing to the Girlguiding North East England booking terms and conditions as follows.

Cancellation by Participant – Cancellation must be made via email or in writing to the Girlguiding North East England office. No refunds are payable on cancellation by the Participant.

Cancellation by Girlguiding North East England – Girlguiding North East England reserves the right to modify or cancel the event if unforeseen circumstances arise. In the event of cancellation being made by Girlguiding North East England a full refund of the event fee paid to Girlguiding North East England will be made to participants.

Please note:  Communications about this event will be sent from our info@girlguidingnortheast.org.uk email address.  Sometimes emails from info@ addresses can end up in spam/junk inboxes.  To avoid this please either add our email to your preferred senders’ list or monitor your spam/junk inboxes regularly.  Joining instructions/final details will be sent a few days before the event.  Thank you.  

Any queries?  Please contact the region office – sharron.litle@girlguidingnortheast.org.uk or NEE Walking adviser – isabel.woodland@girlguidingnortheast.org.uk