Walk leading

It’s easy to put a walk on for Brunel – all you need to do is fill out the
form on this page and our Programme Secretaries will get back to you.

Walks are at the heart of what Brunel Walking Group is all about. Our walk leaders are volunteers who love to share the beauty of the British countryside with others. We’ve done many amazing walks over the years, in weather ranging from hot sunshine to wintry blizzards on the shortest day of the year. You can see lists of past walks (since Autumn 2015) here.

Now we need new people to step up and provide more special memories for others. If you think you might be able to do it please fill in the form!

If you are new to walk leading then we can help! We have several experienced walk leaders who can assist with planning walks, go on pre-walks with you or give you support on the day (either as a named co-leader or just to be there in case you need any assistance) – just send us an email and we’ll get back to you. Likewise, if you would like some navigation or walk leadership training send us an email – we can help with that too!

Submit a Walk

If you want to submit a placeholder for a walk please enter TBD for required fields (marked required) that you haven’t decided upon yet. Don’t leave any of these out! Please see the tips below. 

Please Enter Your Name

Please include your surname. Your name will be shown on the website but your surname will be shortened to an initial.

I consent to my name being published online

Yes No

Your Ramblers membership number

You can find this on your ramblers membership card.

Please enter your email address

Your email address will not be published.

Please enter your telephone number

Your telephone number will be shown on the website, it will be hidden after the event has passed.

I consent to my phone number being published online

Yes No

Which programme is the event for?

For Joint walks/events select both groups

• 20s & 30s
• Brunel Plus
• slider
• Uncategorized

Walk/event title

Does this walk/event have co-leader?

Yes No

Co-leader details

Co-leader's name

Coleaders name will be shown on the site

Co-leader's phone number

Phone numbers will be shown on the site. They are hidden after the event.

The co-leader consents to having their name & phone number published online

Yes No

Proposed Date Of Walk/Event

Event/Walk start time

The time at which people are to meet at the meeting point

Description

A description of where the walk/event will take place and broadly what’s involved – it helps people decide if it’s the right walk for them and means fewer people are likely to need to ring you.

Activity

- Select -WalkEvening WalkSocial EventOther

Walk information

Is this the first time you've lead a walk with Brunel Walking or the Ramblers?

Yes No

That's amazing 🤩 Thank you so much for offering to lead a walk

The committee is here to support you along the way so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

As part of leading a walk for the first time we will enrol you on a short elearning course offered by the Ramblers. The committee will email you with more details after you submit your walk.

Level of Walk

- Select -1 Boot2 Boot3 Boot

Length of Walk

eg 8 miles

Estimated walk duration (optional)

An estimate of how long the walk will take eg 4-6 hours

Meeting Point

- Select -Portwall Lane Car Park (opp. St Mary Redcliffe)The Watertower (Clifton)Aldi/Pizza HutTemple Meads StationBristol Bus StationOther (please specify)

Specify meeting point

Map Url for meeting point

Would you like someone to organise car shares at the meeting point?

Yes No

Would you like to specify an alternative meeting point?

An alternative meeting point is usually the start of the walk so people can travel straight there.

Yes No

Alternative meeting point

Alternative meeting point start time

Time people are to meet at alternative meeting point

Map URL for Alternative Meeting Point (recommended)

URL from google/bing maps

Contact walk leader if going directly to alternative meeting point?

Yes No

Bring Packed Lunch?

Yes No

Post Walk Beverage?

- Select -PubCafeNone

Upload a GPS route (.gpx file) of the walk? (optional)

Select yes if you have a .gpx file of the walk you'd like to upload. This is entirely optional and anyone can upload one later.

Yes No

Walk leader's .gpx file

Walk GPX File

File name:

File size:

I own the rights to this file and it has not been purchased or copied from elsewhere, and I grant full rights to Brunel Walking Group for the use of this file.

Risk Assesment (pre-2026)

Please use this risk assessment to help you understand the risks and to indicate the measures you will take to mitigate them both before and while leading the walk. As a walk leader, you are covered by Ramblers liability insurance, though a condition of that insurance is that we perform a risk assessment as part of walk planning; by completing the below form, you are fulfilling that action. Please remember / make a note of any actions you need to take on the day, e.g. pre walk briefing.

Weather

---

Hazards: Make a note of any hazards to walkers or others on your route

eg What is the forecasted weather? Is there any danger of extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall or other severe weather events?

Check the weather forecast and postpone/cancel if necessary.

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Advise walkers to bring suitable clothing and items for the conditions

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Make a note of ‘escape routes’ on the recce.

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Other/Detail

---

Traffic

---

Hazards: Make a note of any hazards to walkers or others on your route

eg Do you need to cross or walk along a road? Are there any level crossings?

Check for suitable crossing places on the recce

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Communicate clearly with the group on the day

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Maintain single file on any road sections

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Other/Detail

---

Path surface and obstacles

---

Hazards: Make a note of any hazards to walkers or others on your route

eg Are there hazards such as slippery paths, loose rocks, stiles, fallen trees, steep drops?

Are there hazards such as slippery paths, loose rocks, stiles, fallen trees, steep drops?

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Provide clear information to walkers beforehand

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Advise walkers to bring suitable footwear for the conditions

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Other/Detail

---

Animals

---

Hazards: Make a note of any hazards to walkers or others on your route

eg Will you pass livestock? Is there any danger of ticks or bites/stings?

Let walkers know to cross fields with livestock calmly and quietly, keeping the group together. Be prepared to divert if needed

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Leave gates and property as you find them

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Advise walkers to check for ticks and remove promptly if found

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Other/Detail

---

Communications

---

Hazards: Make a note of any hazards to walkers or others on your route

eg Is there a chance you could get lost, lose touch with walkers, lose visibility or phone signal?

Recce the route in advance

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Pre-register phone with 999 emergency text service

More info at emergencysms.net
Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Let somebody know your plans and the time you expect to be back

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Other/Detail

---

Other

---

Add any other hazards on your walk here.

Follow any national or local Covid-19 restriction

Action taken / to be taken?

Yes No N/A

Other/Detail

Risk Assessment (1 or 2 boot walks)

Date of recce/prewalk

Leave blank if you haven't done the recce/prewalk yet

Risk: Lack of confidence and/or skill

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Leaders are stressed and overwhelmed
• Walkers are exposed to unnecessary risks

How we manage the risks:
• All new walk leaders complete introductory training and make the most of opportunities to develop their skills
• Peer support available from more experienced leaders
• Leaders only lead within their capabilities

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Weather

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers are exposed to extreme cold, heat, or wet

How we manage the risks:
• Check the weather before the walk
• Let people know what to wear and what to bring
• Make contingency plans
• Set an appropriate pace and take breaks as needed
• Stay alert to changing conditions and adjust plans accordingly

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Too many people walking in the group

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Leaders are stressed and overwhelmed
• Walkers are exposed to unnecessary risks

How we manage the risks:
• Leaders refer to recommended ratios and manage group size depending on the specific circumstances; identify additional helpers (e.g. walk assistant, co-leader or backmarker) for large groups
• Advertise any limits on group size (and booking information, if needed) in advance
• Where needed, limit invitations to people with a specific shared experience (e.g. women-only walks, cancer support groups)

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Walkers act recklessly

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers put themselves and others at risk
• Leaders are stressed and overwhelmed

How we manage the risks:
• Share information with walkers in advance to establish clear expectations and responsibilities
• Give a walk briefing before setting off, to share your plan and expectations
• Communicate with walkers throughout the walk

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Terrain

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers trip or fall, resulting in injury

How we manage the risks:
• Leaders complete training on Preventing & Managing Incidents
• Check for muddy/slippery/steep sections when planning
• Advise walkers of terrain and suitable footwear in advance
• Make contingency plans, to draw on if needed in response to the group & conditions
• Zigzag up/down any steep sections – highlight benefits of walking poles
• Offer reassurance to nervous walkers & take adequate breaks
• Adjust plans on the walk if needed

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Getting lost

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers get lost
• Walkers are exposed to extreme cold, heat or wet
• There is a communications blackout
• Walkers run low on food/drink supplies

How we manage the risks:
• Where possible, recce the route a week or so in advance – or carefully plan with good local knowledge, guidebooks and/or maps
• Leaders are familiar with the route and contingency plans in case changes are needed
• Ensure appropriate navigation skills in the group for the walk and possible conditions
• Pre-register phone with 999 emergency text service
• Know the hours of dusk and darkness, and plan accordingly
• Carry relevant kit – for example a whistle, headtorch and emergency shelter for more remote walks
• On more remote walks, complete a Route Card in advance and leave a copy with a designated Emergency Point of Contact (EPOC) – “late back procedure” should be implemented by the EPOC if needed

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Losing walkers

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers could get left behind/lost

How we manage the risks:
• Leader knows who is on the walk – asking for names and emergency contact details
• Regular headcounts and communication with the group
• Appoint a backmarker
• Communicate with group throughout the walk

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Unsafe/unstable geographic features or obstacles

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers trip or fall, resulting in injury
• Walkers get into difficulty and drown

How we manage the risks:
• Follow any local warnings or signs and advise walkers to keep away from sheer drops/edges
• Check paths are suitable for a group to use safely and make changes if necessary
• Make contingency plans to deal with unexpected features and obstacles
• Avoid crossing any significant water features – use bridges or other recognised water crossing points
• Check the tide times

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Livestock

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers are at risk of injury from livestock
• Property is damaged
• The wider public are at risk of injury from escaped livestock

How we manage the risks:
• Cross fields with livestock calmly and quietly, keeping the group together and any dogs on a short lead (releasing the dog if charged by cows)
• Follow the Countryside Code (England & Wales) and Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Scotland)
• Leave gates and property as you find them

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Roads

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers are at risk of road traffic accident
• Other road users are at risk of accident

How we manage the risks:
• Maintain single file on any road sections without footpath/pavement
• Plan route to avoid busy roads where possible
• Check for suitable crossing places

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Roads (driving)

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Road traffic accident puts walkers and other road users at risk of injury

How we manage the risks:
• Remind walkers that the drive to/from the walk is often the riskiest part of the day
• Remind drivers to take care, take adequate rests on longer journeys and maintain fluid/blood sugar levels at the end of the day

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Accident or medical emergency

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers require first aid or medical attention

How we manage the risks:
• Leader knows who is on the walk – asking for names and emergency contact details
• Ask walkers to complete and carry an In Case of Emergency (ICE) card
• Leaders complete training on Preventing & Managing Incidents
• Know how to contact the emergency services
• Ensure mobile phone is fully charged, and consider carrying a power bank
• Carry a first aid kit – and extra supplies/layers to keep people comfortable while waiting for help to arrive
• Ensure appropriate first aid awareness and skills amongst the group

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Recce: Did you identify any other hazards during your recce/planning? How will you mitigate the risks? Please add below:

What are the risks or hazards?

Leave blank if not applicable

What could happen and who could be harmed?

Leave blank if not applicable

How we manage the risks

Leave blank if not applicable

Risk Assessment (3 boot walks)

Date of recce/prewalk

Leave blank if you haven't done the recce/prewalk yet

Risk: Lack of confidence and/or skill

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Leaders are stressed and overwhelmed
• Walkers are exposed to unnecessary risks

How we manage the risks:
• All new walk leaders complete introductory training and make the most of opportunities to develop their skills
• Leaders have additional skills for the conditions (e.g. advanced navigation, winter mountain skills, avalanche awareness)
• Peer support available from more experienced leaders
• Leaders only lead within their capabilities

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Too many people walking in the group

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Leaders are stressed and overwhelmed
• Walkers are exposed to unnecessary risks

How we manage the risks:
• Leaders refer to recommended ratios and manage group size depending on the specific circumstances
• Identify additional helpers (e.g. walk assistant, co-leader or backmarker) for large groups
• Advertise any limits on group size (and booking information, if needed) in advance

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Walkers act recklessly

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers put themselves and others at risk
• Leaders are stressed and overwhelmed

How we manage the risks:
• Share information with walkers in advance to establish clear expectations and responsibilities
• Give a walk briefing before setting off, to share your plan and expectations
• Communicate with walkers throughout the walk

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Weather

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers are exposed to extreme cold, heat, or wet

How we manage the risks:
• Check the weather before the walk
• If relevant, check the avalanche forecast before the walk
• Let people know what to wear and what to bring
• Make contingency plans
• Set an appropriate pace and take breaks as needed
• Stay alert to changing conditions, extremes of temperature and adjust plans accordingly

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Losing walkers

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers could get left behind/lost

How we manage the risks:
• Leader knows who is on the walk – asking for names and emergency contact details
• Regular headcounts and communication with the group
• Appoint a backmarker
• Communicate with group throughout the walk

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Terrain

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers trip or fall, resulting in injury

How we manage the risks:
• Leaders complete training on Preventing & Managing Incidents
• Check for muddy/slippery/steep sections when planning
• Advise walkers of terrain and suitable footwear in advance
• Make contingency plans, to draw on if needed in response to the group & conditions
• Zigzag up/down any steep sections – highlight benefits of walking poles
• Offer reassurance to nervous walkers & take adequate breaks
• Remind the group to stay hydrated and carry high-energy snacks
• Adjust plans on the walk if needed

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Unsafe/unstable geographic features or obstacles

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers trip or fall, resulting in injury
• Walkers get into difficulty and drown

How we manage the risks:
• Follow any local warnings or signs and advise walkers to keep away from sheer drops/edges
• Check paths are suitable for a group to use safely and make changes if necessary
• Make contingency plans to deal with unexpected features and obstacles
• Ensure appropriate navigation skills in the group to re-route and navigate around any challenging or unexpected features
• Avoid crossing any significant water features – use bridges or other recognised water crossing points
• Check the tide times

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Livestock

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers are at risk of injury from livestock
• Property is damaged
• The wider public are at risk of injury from escaped livestock

How we manage the risks:
• Cross fields with livestock calmly and quietly, keeping the group together and any dogs on a short lead (releasing the dog if charged by cows)
• Follow the Countryside Code (England & Wales) and Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Scotland)
• Leave gates and property as you find them

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Roads

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers are at risk of road traffic accident
• Other road users are at risk of accident

How we manage the risks:
• Maintain single file on any road sections without footpath/pavement
• Plan route to avoid busy roads where possible
• Check for suitable crossing places

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Roads (driving)

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Road traffic accident puts walkers and other road users at risk of injury

How we manage the risks:
• Remind walkers that the drive to/from the walk is often the riskiest part of the day
• Remind drivers to take care, take adequate rests on longer journeys and maintain fluid/blood sugar levels at the end of the day

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Accident or medical emergency

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers require first aid or medical attention

How we manage the risks:
• Leader knows who is on the walk – asking for names and emergency contact details
• Ask walkers to complete and carry an In Case of Emergency (ICE) card
• Leaders complete training on Preventing & Managing Incidents
• Know how to contact the emergency services
• Ensure mobile phone is fully charged, and consider carrying a power bank
• Have a back-up plan for areas without mobile phone signal (emergency beacon/GPS)
• Carry a first aid kit – and extra supplies/layers to keep people comfortable while waiting for help to arrive
• Ensure appropriate first aid awareness and skills amongst the group

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Risk: Getting lost

What could happen and who could be harmed?
• Walkers get lost
• Walkers are exposed to extreme cold, heat or wet
• There is a communications blackout
• Walkers run low on food/drink supplies

How we manage the risks:
• Where possible, recce the route a week or so in advance – or carefully plan with good local knowledge, guidebooks and/or maps
• Leaders are familiar with the route and contingency plans in case changes are needed
• Ensure appropriate navigation skills in the group for the walk and possible conditions
• Pre-register phone with 999 emergency text service
• Know the hours of dusk and darkness, and plan accordingly
• Carry relevant kit – for example a whistle, headtorch and emergency shelter for more remote walks
• On more remote walks, complete a Route Card in advance and leave a copy with a designated Emergency Point of Contact (EPOC) – “late back procedure” should be implemented by the EPOC if needed

Local or additional measures (add as necessary)

Optional - add additional notes about the risk here

I have considered this risk *

Recce: Did you identify any other hazards during your recce/planning? How will you mitigate the risks? Please add below:

What are the risks or hazards?

Leave blank if not applicable

What could happen and who could be harmed?

Leave blank if not applicable

How we manage the risks

Leave blank if not applicable

I consent to these details being published online and I am a member of the Ramblers

Robot check *

Validate Email

Tips

Read the Ramblers official Walk leading checklist (PDF)

Walk grade (level) and length – see the Get ready to walk page for gradings, but if you want to check please ask an experienced walk leader or one of the Programme Secretaries.

Meeting point and start time – if it’s not one of the normal places listed on the programme page, then it’s very helpful to provide a link to a map (ideally to Google Maps since many people have it installed on their phone). You could also include a map reference and/or postcode in the alternative meeting point field. If you will be going directly to the alternative meeting point but are asking people to meet at one of our normal locations then you can ask for a volunteer to organise the car sharing for you – text will be added to ask volunteers to contact you; you must contact the programme secretaries to ask them to update the calendar with the volunteer’s name and phone number.

A description of where the walk will take place and broadly what’s involved – it helps people decide if it’s the right walk for them and means fewer people are likely to need to ring you. You might find it easier to write the description in a text editor and then paste it into the box in the form. 

Your contact phone number – please give your mobile number for use on the day and perhaps also a home number for use in advance. They are hidden the day after the walk.

Most walks finish at a pub or cafe. Try to have somewhere in mind for when the walk has finished.

Always pre-walk your submitted route. This not only makes the leader look assured and confident on the day, it’s also that we sometimes find paths are blocked or changed, meaning re-routes are required.

You might like to team up with someone to co-lead a walk if it is your first time. See our Facebook group, where you can meet other members who may also want to co-lead a walk. You can also ask one of our experienced walk leaders if you would like company on a pre-walk or support on the day.

You don’t have to create your own route. There are great walks to be found in magazines, guidebooks (we have some you can borrow – see the box), there are more online – and of course it’s perfectly OK to repeat a walk you’ve been on before (but lead it yourself this time). You can look at lists of past walks here. We have lots of maps that you can borrow too (see box). We’ve also written a handy guide that has been hiding in one of the boxes on this page! The Ramblers website also has some advice on planning routes and navigation.

Walk Leader Thank You Vouchers

The group is successful thanks to members volunteering their time and effort to lead walks. As a small thank you we are continuing to offer walk leader awards for walks on the 20s & 30s and Brunel Plus programmes.

• Lead 3 walks and get a £10 Cotswold Outdoors voucher
• Lead 5 walks and get a £20 Cotswold Outdoors voucher

The small print:  Walks will be counted from both the 20s & 30s and Brunel Plus programmes. Co-led walks will count as half for both leaders. Joint walks (i.e. on both programmes) only count as one walk.

Walk Leader Recognition Awards

Brunel Walking Group is lucky to have a lot of dedicated and enthusiastic Walk Leaders who are instrumental in keeping our 20s & 30s and 40+ programmes vibrant for new and existing Members. With this in mind, we would like to offer you, our Members, the opportunity to nominate a Walk Leader for a Walk Leader Recognition Award. It could be for a memorable 20 & 30s, Joint or 40+ walk, for a walk led off-the-cuff on a Weekend away or perhaps for a series of related walks throughout the year (1 November to 30 October).

If a fantastic Walk Leader immediately springs to mind, all you need to do is complete one of our Walk Leader Recognition Award Nomination Forms that are issued periodically through the year in our monthly Newsletter by 30 October 2018. The Brunel Committee will review the nominations to determine the Winner and the four Runners Up on the evidence that you include in the Nomination Forms we receive so it is really important you sell your Nominee.

The Winner and Runners Up will be announced at our yearly Christmas Weekend Away.