Long Distance Walkers Association

'Click on the List of Paths link to view a list of the LDPs known to us. We have over 1,300 routes with details "available online" on this site and more are being added so you may find it easier to use the search facilities ...'

'The LDWA is an Association of people with the common interest of walking long distances in rural, mountainous or moorland areas. By joining the LDWA, you will meet other like-minded long distance walkers and gain access to information on walking events and long distance walking routes all over the UK.'

'Greetings fellow walkers and welcome to BBN. Our group covers the three counties of Beds, Bucks and Northants, a large geographical area with a wide range of landscapes both natural and altered by man. The Chilterns have great views in all directions and some short but steep "ups". We offer two Challenge walks each year to entice you to our part of England and Social walks on most Thursdays and Sundays. Do come and join us - you can be sure of a warm welcome AND a good walk.'

’We organise social walks and challenge walks.  Our geographical area is Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire with a stomping ground of the Mendips, Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean though sometimes we stray further afield.  Non-members are welcome to try one or two walks prior to joining the LDWA.’

'The Group on the West Yorkshire border with Lancashire are from a catchment area with the postcodes HX & OL14 and have a programme of social walks which is published in Strider ... Prospective members of the LDWA are welcome to join one of the social walks for a trial period, but should be aware that walks are around 20 miles at a reasonable pace and that it is advisable to make contact with the Leader beforehand to confirm details. All walks are to the strength of the slowest walker.'

'Established since 1982, we are a friendly bunch who welcome new members and visitors alike. We have been doing one social walk each month; however from 2012 we will be doing two walks a month, one of which will be a shorter walk around 16 miles ... We walk on the Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire & Durham Dales, Coast and the Lake District.'

'Our first group walk was held on 23rd March 1980, since then we must have collectively walked many thousands of miles and are still going strong! ... You will find our walks programme on this website. It is also published in the LDWA national magazine Strider, on the national LDWA website and in our own group magazine "Footnotes".'

'We are a small group numerically but are favoured by easy access to vast areas of magnificent countryside. Most of the members live in or around Carlisle, Keswick and Penrith so our walks usually feature the Lake District, Northern Pennines and Border Country. Currently we have a monthly social walk at which LDWA members and their guests are guaranteed to receive a friendly welcome. We are also pleased to welcome any non-LDWA members interested in learning more about us and the Association. It is suggested that anyone wishing to join one of our walks should contact the Walk Leader or Walks Secretary before the walk to confirm details ...'

'The Dorset Group of the LDWA was founded in 1993. The Group organises regular social walks nd two challenge walks each year, one being the Dorset Doddle, a 32 mile walk along the coastal path from Weymouth to Swanage.'

'Our main social walks are at the weekend, normally a Sunday, and these average twenty miles in length. This would take about eight hours to complete and all walkers need to carry enough food and drink to last the day. We like to visit different areas eg the West Pennine Moors, Lune Valley, Yorkshire Dales etc ...'

Details of the activities of this Area's Group - including the Group Walks, usually held weekly on a Wednesday, and their Challenge Events.

'If you look in our calendar, you will see some of the events organized by our Group. Only members of the LDWA are automatically allowed to participate in our social walks but, by arrangement, we welcome visitors who are not members. As our name implies, we cover substantial distances on our walks and maintain a brisk pace across country using footpaths that may not be as well maintained as we would wish.'

'The Heart of Scotland Group of the Long Distance Walkers Association arranges walks roughly in the area of Perth & Kinross, Fife, Angus, Tayside and Stirling ... LDWA members and friends, whether from the area or not, are warmly invited to come on the walks.'

'The IOW LDWA Group was re-formed in April 2013 after a seventeen-year lapse ... A wide variety of coastal and inland walks have now been established to attract walkers of all ages. Distances from 10 to 73 miles are covered, and a 24 hour round-the-island walk is programmed each year for the same day (and direction) as the Round the Island Yacht Race.'

'One of the earlier groups in the Association, Kent Group of the LDWA was established in 1974. It is an active group with over 100 current members.'

New Group formed in 2014 by the amalgamation of the former Westmorland and North Lancs and the Morecambe Bay & Bowland LDWA Groups.

'Lincolnshire Group are drawn from a catchment area with the postcodes DN, LN, PE, LH13, NG31,32,33,&34. and have a varied programme of social walks which is published in Strider. Any member of the LDWA can walk with the Group and can if they wish elect to have Lincolnshire as the Group of their choice. Prospective members of the LDWA are welcome to join one of the social walks for a trial period, but should be aware that walks are around 20 miles at a reasonable pace and that it is advisable to make contact with the leader beforehand to confirm details.'

'Join us for 20 mile day walks with a pub lunch in the country a train ride from London.'

[From the History of the Group] 'London Group? "After talking to several members in the London area it appears there may be scope for a London group. That does not mean walks around Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and Waterloo Station. The idea would be to form a local group from members in the London region to walk, basically, wherever they want to. There is in fact a great deal of countryside around London, and considerably more just beyond. If anyone is interested please contact ...".

'Our members belong to the LDWA who live along the Welsh Marches and in the English Counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire.'

'We are an active group and hold four events per year which are open to everyone to participate ...'

'We are a new (September 2015), but very enthusiastic group, serving a relatively large area of Northern Scotland, centred roughly between Inverness and Aberdeen and reaching down through the Cairngorm National Park to the northern borders of our sister group Heart of Scotland.'

'We are a friendly bunch who gather at least twice a month to tramp over the moors, dawdle in the dales or even cruise the coast from time to time. Our emphasis is on sociable walks and our enterprising walk leaders aim to cover the diversity of Yorkshire’s scenery often using little-known paths. Why not give us a try?'

'Caters for many kinds of walking, from an organised challenge event to informal strolls. The only criterion is that all walks should be enjoyable, provide friendship, exercise and stimulation for the body and mind.'

Where do we walk? 'Anywhere in South Wales and adjacent areas. We are indeed fortunate in covering an extremely varied area of countryside extending from the Wye Valley in the east, through to the Gower Peninsular in the west; this, of course, includes the Brecon Beacons National park and all the other mountains, valleys, coastal and farmland areas in between.'

'New members and guests are invited to join us on any of our walks and are assured of a warm welcome. There will be a pub stop on the day walks unless stated.'

'We organise walks and events in East and West Sussex - and occasionally further afield. Walks vary in length but are normally between 15 and 25 miles, depending upon the season. They offer a challenge and the opportunity to explore new areas and meet new people. You are most welcome to join any walk in the programme.'

'We have a fine selection of social walks throughout the year. Most are in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, or Berkshire, though we occasionally stray further afield. Naturally, the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills feature in many of our walks, which we aim to make friendly and enjoyable outings with a leader to guide us through the day. On most of our walks, unless it says otherwise in the programme, you should bring food and drink for lunch and snacks. If the leader has planned for the group to eat lunch in a pub this will be clearly stated in the programme.'

'The Wessex Group walks cover footpaths over all terrains over a large area of Southern England mainly centred on Hampshire but regularly include areas of adjoining counties. Our popular social walks are held twice monthly (usually the 1st and 3rd Sundays), are between 15 and 25 miles, and almost always include a pub stop of approx. 1 hour for refreshments/lunch.'

'We organise walks throughout Wiltshire and regularly venture into Gloucestershire and Somerset. We are particularly pleased to see new members, making every effort to make them feel at home, and hopefully take an active part in the group ... Throughout the year we generally walk on the first Sunday of the month, starting at 9am prompt, and generally cover around 18 to 20 miles ... Our midweek walks take place on the third Thursday of every month and are between 12 and 16 miles. These walks start at 9.30am ...'

'The Yorkshire Coast Group is based in and around Scarborough on the East Coast of North Yorkshire. We have around 70 members from all walks of life and give a friendly welcome to anyone who would like to join us.'

'Maps are available both in paper and in digital forms.You can buy maps online from this site and maps are listed on each long distance path (LDP) route's page and walking event page with direct "buy online" links ...'