Welcome to Taunton Deane Ramblers

About our walks programme

We aim to give accurate details of our walks so that members can choose walks to suit them and their capabilities. We aim to have a programme of walks for every Wednesday and Sunday. Our walks can be almost anywhere in Taunton and surrounding areas or sometimes in neighbouring counties.

Wednesday afternoon walks

These normally start at 1.30 or 2.00 pm and are around 5-6 miles. The pace can be moderate or leisurely and there will be at least one short stop for drink and small snack which you need to provide.

Sunday all day walks

These start at 10.00 am and are around 10-12 miles. The walk start can be further away but there is a car share option from Taunton. These walks are at a faster pace than the Wednesday walks with stops for drinks and a picnic lunch.

Sunday short walks

Currently we are unable to offer short morning or afternoon walks on Sundays due to a shortage of walk leaders but we would like to provide these in the future if we have willing leaders.

Terrain

Walks normally follow footpaths, towpaths, bridleways and lanes. The route will be described as flat, undulating or hilly. There will often be stiles to cross. Mud is likely except in urban areas so walking boots are advisable in the country.

Meeting for a walk

We provide a grid reference, postcode and what-3-words for the official meeting point.  Walks start promptly so it’s best to be there at least 10 mins early to give you time to get ready.

Refreshments on walks

Apart from those you bring there is sometimes an opportunity for a pub or café stop and this would be included in the walk description.

Dogs

Dogs - well behaved and under control - preferably on leads - are welcome on all our walks unless the walk details state otherwise. If in doubt, ring the walk leader to confirm.

New Walkers

We always welcome new walkers on any of our walks. If you need more information or have any questions about the walk please contact the listed walk leader – otherwise just turn up! New walkers can have three trial walks before deciding whether to join Ramblers. The benefits of joining Ramblers and membership details can be found here: Join the Ramblers

Walk leaders

All walk leaders are volunteers, who have given their time to survey the walk as well as lead it on the day. Each leader chooses his/her own walk and usually surveys it with another Group member. We are always pleased to hear from people who might be willing to lead walks.

To find out more see the section below:

New Walk Leaders

Without walk leaders we would not have any walks. We are currently very short of volunteer walk leaders. This means that we are not always able to put on walks every Wednesday and Sunday. If you are interested in becoming a walk leader the process is described below.

Walk Leader Training

First contact the relevant Programme Coordinator or Walks Programme Secretary details can be found via our Contacts page  and let them know that you are interested in learning how to lead a walk. They will register you with Ramblers as a volunteer potential walk leader so that you have access to the on-line training where there are two modules to complete and a handbook to read. Once the training is completed Ramblers will register you as a walk leader.

We can also arrange for an experienced walk leader to buddy up with you until you have the confidence to lead a walk on your own.

Resources for Walk Leaders

Once you are registered as a walk leader you will have access to resources such as OS maps app (and training on how to use it), a selection of pre-planned walks from a library of walk books and leaflets, as well as links to walk routes on the Taunton Deane and main Ramblers websites.

We have many experienced walk leaders who would be happy to support and help you with any aspects of leading your own walks – so just ask.