How We Grade Our Walks

We know that signing up to a walk can feel like a big step, especially if you’re unsure about your fitness level or haven’t walked in a group before. So we’ve created these simple walk levels. They’re here to guide you, not to intimidate you.

Most importantly:

  • We never leave anyone behind

  • Our walks are a space where no one is judging, no one is rushing, and everyone is encouraged.

  • And we truly believe that being a little bit nervous often means you’re about to do something really good for yourself

  • You don’t need to be the fastest, the fittest, or the most experienced. You just need to be willing to show up.

Choosing a walk that feels slightly outside your comfort zone isn’t something we discourage, it’s something we gently support!

If you’re unsure which level is right for you, get in touch and we can help you choose.

Beginner

Gentle, welcoming, and confidence-building.

Great if you’re comfortable with everyday walks like dog walks, or relaxed outings, and would like to try walking a little further.

Expect a slower, steady pace on easy terrain, with plenty of time to pause, chat, and take in your surroundings. You don’t need to be “fit” - just comfortable being on your feet for a couple of hours.

Perfect if you’re thinking:
“I’m not sure I’m fit enough… but I’d like to try.”

Walking Time: Up to 2 hours
Distance: Approximately 3–5 miles
Terrain: A mix of gravel paths, woodland trails, fields, and occasionally muddy footpaths (see individual walks for details)
Pace: Easy and unhurried, with regular breaks
Elevation (total climb): Up to 300m (around 1,000 ft), mostly flat with a few gentle inclines

Moderate

A little more challenging, still fully supportive.

These walks are for when you feel ready to stretch yourself a bit.

You might notice some hills, uneven paths, or longer distances, but nothing extreme. We keep a comfortable, manageable pace - the group may spread out a little but we’ll always pause, check in and regroup along the way.

You don’t need to be super fit - just open to a bit more effort and proud of yourself for giving it a go.

Perfect if you’re thinking:
“I can do a bit more… I just don’t want to feel out of my depth.”

Walking Time: Approximately 2.5–5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5–9 miles
Terrain: A mix of well-used paths with some uneven sections, so a little confidence on your feet is helpful
Pace: Steady and comfortable, with plenty of breaks to rest and regroup

Challenging

Empowering, rewarding, and achievable with support

These walks are more physically demanding, with longer distances, steeper climbs, or tougher terrain.

But here’s what matters: you are never expected to struggle alone, we’re here to support each other.

We support each other, take breaks when needed, and move together as a group. Many women join these walks unsure if they can do it, and finish feeling stronger than they imagined.

Perfect if you’re thinking:
“This feels like a challenge… but I want to prove to myself I can do it.

Distance: Approximately 6–10 miles
Terrain: Hillier routes with a mix of uneven ground, so a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on your feet is helpful.
Pace: Steady, with regular breaks to rest, regroup, and take everything in.

Walking Terms Explained

(You don’t need to know all of this before you join us. It’s simply here to help you feel more confident choosing the right walk — and if you’re ever unsure, we’ll always guide you. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about getting everything “right”…it’s about showing up, giving it a go, and feeling supported while you do it.)

Elevation Gain
This is simply the total amount of uphill walking across the whole route.

So even if a walk goes up and down a few times, all the climbing adds up. It’s one of the main things that makes a walk feel more or less challenging — more climbing usually means a bit more effort .

Think of it as: how much “uphill” you’ll do overall.

Terrain
This just describes what the ground is like under your feet.

It could be anything from smooth paths and grassy fields to woodland trails, rocky sections, or muddy patches. Different terrain can affect how easy or slow the walk feels, even if the distance is the same .

In simple terms: what you’ll be walking on.

Pace
This is the speed we walk as a group — and it’s never about rushing.

A slower pace means we take our time, with plenty of stops to rest and chat. A steadier pace just means we keep moving comfortably, with regular breaks built in.

Always guided by the group - not the fastest person.

Sure-Footedness
This sounds more technical than it is!

It simply means feeling reasonably comfortable walking on uneven ground — like small rocks, tree roots, or slightly muddy paths — without feeling wobbly or unsure.

You don’t need to be perfect — just fairly steady on your feet.