If you are on holiday in South Wales you are most welcome to join us on our walks. Most of our walks start from the Recreation Centre in Bridgend but our Tuesday walks start at Pyle a few miles away.

Where do we meet? All our Sunday walks start from Bridgend Recreation Centre car park at the time given in the programme. The current Programme is available elsewhere on this web site.

The “Rec” is situated on Angel Street, Bridgend not far from the town centre and its post code is CF31 4AH

Our Tuesday walks start from the swimming pool car park in Pyle which is 5 miles to the west of Bridgend.

The pool is on Marshfield Avenue, Pyle and its post code is CF33 6RP

Meeting Time: You need to arrive about 10 minutes before the time given in the programme as we leave promptly at that time. This will allow you to meet the walk leader and the other walkers and also to arrange any car sharing.

Grading of Walks: Walking almost anywhere in Wales is likely to involve some climbing – because Wales is a hilly place.

The following is a guide and depends on the judgement of the walk leader when reconnoitring the route and arranging the walks programme.

E = Easy –   Mostly flat or with easy climbs.
M = Moderate –  Moderate amount of climbing perhaps on higher ground
H = Hard –   Longer walk over some rough ground with steeper climbs
S = Strenuous –  Usually longer distances, often with stiff climbs over      rough mountain terrain.

Please bear in mind that the speed or pace of any walk should be considered too. Our longer walkers tend to achieve a speed that some will find too fast and, again, it is advisable to contact the walk leader to discuss this and, to help you, the leaders details are given on the program as are the lengths of each walk.

Weather: In bad weather, or because of difficult going, the leader may have to change the walk, the route of the walk or even the start of the walk. Rarely, in extreme circumstances, the walk may have to be cancelled by the leader.

Clothing: At any time of the year the weather can change quickly especially on the hills and the mountains and so you must bring suitable clothing, adequate footwear and have wet weather gear as this is also windproof. The leader may turn you away if they think you are not adequately dressed and so it might be better if you telephone the leader the day before the walk if you are unsure, their numbers are in the programme.

If there is any doubt, then the committee’s decision is to support the leader and to err on the safe side. If this ever happens then we hope that you will respect this decision and understand the reasons..

Drinks and food: Always bring these with you, even for the shortest of walks because generally we will not pass places where we can obtain refreshments.

On short walks there will be a break somewhere around mid morning for a drink and a snack whilst for medium and long walks there will usually be two breaks: a morning break at around 1030 or 11 am and a lunch break at a suitable time and place on the walk. On very long walks there will sometimes be an afternoon stop too.

Water should be taken on-board regularly throughout the day.

You should carry sufficient food and drink for yourself. It’s best to err on the safe side if you are unsure, and bring too much, you can always eat it on the way home or give it to someone else!

Dogs on Walks: Allowing dogs on walks is dependent on the walk leaders because only they will know where the walk will go. Normally dogs will be welcome provided that they are well behaved and that no problems are to be expected with other animals on the walks or with farm livestock. Please phone the walk leader to find out.

Safety: Walk leaders have a duty of care towards their fellow walkers and walkers have a duty of care to each other.

Please remember that you participate in any walk at your own risk. If there is any doubt then the committee will support any decisions made by the leader.

If on very rare occasions, a leader feels that a member of the group has become ill-suited for the conditions or is not adequately prepared then they may decline to allow them to join or continue on the walk and will, if on the walk, arrange to have them accompanied to a place of safety.

Walkers are required to adhere to the leaders decisions and to assist them in any way. Invariably there will be a number of experienced leaders on any walk and they regularly assist each other.

Simple first aid kits and elementary survival equipment such as “space” blankets or survival bags are carried by walkers. Mobile phones are also available although contact when on the hills cannot always be guaranteed. Part of our walk planning is to think about routes to nearby property to obtain help if necessary.

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You can come with us three times for free, try before you buy, but then you will be asked to join, remember that once you have joined the Ramblers your membership card will give you 10% or 15% off at various outdoor clothing stores. Sometimes even more! You could get your membership fee back!

ON HOLIDAY?

THEN COME AND JOIN US…