I was just looking at this site .....

http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/print/ranger-walks.htm?Full=Full&Month=July&Year=2007

... some of these walks seem very interesting - for example these

Heritage Trail 21 July 2007
A look at the landscape of Edale with a professional photographer.

Kinder High 22 July 2007
A strenuous moorland walk, suitable for experienced walkers, embracing the highest points on Kinder Scout.

Has anyone been on any of these Ranger led walks? what were they like?
Any more information appreciated

http://forum.countrywalking.co.uk/forumlive/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=490

http://forum.countrywalking.co.uk/forumlive/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=279

http://http://www.ramblers.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6667&highlight=ranger

http://www.sourceofthepeak.co.uk/view/Sports_&_Active_Stuff/Outdoor_activites/Walking_and_mountaineering/

Hope this help's, haven't been on one yet though. :) and yes i do get around a bit :suspect:

I know people who have thoroughly enjoyed the Peak Rangers walks although haven't been on one, myself.......yet.

Sheffield Rangers also do a monthly Saturday walk the next one is 14th July 10.30am - 2pm Circular from Bradway 7.5 miles. Phone Sue (Health Walk Ranger) 0114 2839195. I have been on these, they're free of charge & very enjoyable.

There are also Dronfield Footpaths Society walks (see website for details) evenings & weekends.

Most Walking Groups aren't a mass of folks all huddled together - they spread out just like we do so don't be put off feeling that you might become a sheep! Baaah!

If you want info. on any other walking groups which you might want to join up with please PM.

I went on a Ramblers walk on Saturday from Totley, up to and round Holmesfield and back. One of the best things was being introduced to Fanshawe Gate Hall. You probably all know it but for me it was a real discovery. Happily, they had an open garden day the next day so I went back and had a good look round. A little piece of Heaven on Earth!!
p.s. They are having a children's Beatrix Potter day next weekend, then closed until next summer.

Thanks to everyone for their comments.
I've decided to book up on the following walk

Heritage Trail 21 July 2007
A look at the landscape of Edale with a professional photographer.

Hopefully I will be fit for the group walk on the next day.

Ive been to that site before and thought they sounded quite interesting and well organised. Did they say there was a charge Neo?

Ive been to that site before and thought they sounded quite interesting and well organised. Did they say there was a charge Neo?

Can't see anything about charges on their website, for the photography one they say that booking is essential - but all I've managed so far is to ring the telephone number and leave a message ontheir answer machine saying I wanted to book.

I'm also interested in doing Kinder Scout at sometime and think this could be a dangerous place if not treated with due respect, so was thinking of a Ranger led walk for this.

I would be interested in doing the 'Blooming Kinder' one mentioned here
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/print/index/visiting/ranger-walks/rangerdisplay.htm?ID=12954
Ive never been there and agree it would be safer with a ranger. The heather would make great photos too.

I would be "blooming" interested in this as well – although I have put my name down for the cleanup on the Five Weirs on Saturday 28th, but I'm tempted to play truant and go walking.

I think that Parkwoman’s friend Rob is also interested in doing Kinder and maybe some other people from the group as well. Perhaps we could talk about this on next Sunday’s walk and maybe arrange something then.

Perhaps we could talk about this on next Sunday’s walk and maybe arrange something then.

Good plan! :)

Have you noticed that the Kinder walk starts from Hayfield? I don't think there are any buses from Sheffield so would mean sorting lifts.

I was about to post a new thread but using the search facility it resurrected this one.

We particpated in a nice 8 mile wander around Bradwell on Sunday - the walk and talks were excellent. We've got almost one a week scheduled right up to December.

They even have daytime family walks during the school holidays.

The only bad points(in comparison to the SF ones) - details regarding parking and public transport is limited, no chance of sharing and time keeping leaves a little to be desired.

It's still the same site www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Why don't you come with us some time Willman, we always make sure that everyone knows where to park for a start. We also try and make the walk accesible for public transport users too, or if this is impossible, make sure everyone who wants to come has a lift. Furthermore, timekeeping doesn't ever get a mention. We walk at the speed of the slowest walker, with no schedule stop times etc, and if the walk takes all day, so be it!

Why don't you come with us some time Willman, we always make sure that everyone knows where to park for a start. We also try and make the walk accesible for public transport users too, or if this is impossible, make sure everyone who wants to come has a lift. Furthermore, timekeeping doesn't ever get a mention. We walk at the speed of the slowest walker, with no schedule stop times etc, and if the walk takes all day, so be it!

My point entirely Scoobz - your walks do have a more personalised touch to them.
We got evicted from the "designated" parking and the Rangers were late arriving.

The only benefit i have with these walks is the forward planning tbh .We've got some evening ones and some "secret" daytime ones without telling the OH.

Congrats are in order i believe as well Scoobz.

Aye Willman, congrats are indeed in order, and a Forum wedding to boot. Yet another one. Might need your professional services shortly, I'll be in touch when I can get my act together!

For the astromomers,photographers and walkers.
Tues 12th August is an overnight walk to try and view the Perseid Meteor Shower.

For the astromomers,photographers and walkers.
Tues 12th August is an overnight walk to try and view the Perseid Meteor Shower.

Missus and I are interested with this one, but we haven't figured out how to get there by public transport. From our research, there seems to have no direct public transport to the meeting point. So it is a hassle to get there, where we may need to go into Manchester and take a local bus/train to get to the meeting point.

Is there any other group/s that are planning for this kind of walk on this date, which we can join, provided the place is easily accessible by bus/train. I imagine it would be nice to watch it onto of Mam Tor, but I'm no astronomer and not even sure if it is safe to do so (overnight). :huh:

If anyone is planning for this kind of walk, please pm me as both of us would be please to join. :thumbsup:

This is a difficult one to answer, and I'm not sure anyone who regularly looks at the Walking Group threads will be able to help you with this one to be honest. I hope they can, but I'm not very hopeful.
The best I can offer you, if this is acceptable, is a walk up Mam Tor next Sunday, the 3rd, if you fancy it, and we'll have a good look then. Doubt if this is acceptable, but if it is, just have a look at the thread advertising the walk for that day, and come and join us, if you fancy it!

This is a difficult one to answer, and I'm not sure anyone who regularly looks at the Walking Group threads will be able to help you with this one to be honest. I hope they can, but I'm not very hopeful.
The best I can offer you, if this is acceptable, is a walk up Mam Tor next Sunday, the 3rd, if you fancy it, and we'll have a good look then. Doubt if this is acceptable, but if it is, just have a look at the thread advertising the walk for that day, and come and join us, if you fancy it!

Thanks Scoobz. I had just done the Edale-Hope last week and on the 3rd both of us will be up at the Highland of Scotland. But tomorrow we will do the Bamford Edge and Stanage.

I know it is rather small chance that anyone will have a go with watching the meteor trail, especially on a weekday! Anyway, if the missus is too persistant, then may have to take the trouble with the public transport system. :hihi: Though I would fancy a good nite sleep...sshhh...hope she is not reading this post. :D

Hmmm. Seems to have deviated slightly from the original topic, Walks led by the Peak District Ranger Service.
A few years ago I went on loads of their walks and enjoyed them so much I went on the training course and became a part time Ranger myself. Many are volunteers, working for nothing, others are known as part-timers, and get paid a small (and I mean small)remuneration for turning up in all weathers all year round. I've gone out in deep snow and fog and heavy rain wishing I was in front of a cosy fire, pot of tea, pikelets oozing with butter (Stop it).
Most already have full time jobs, others are retired or semi-retired, so are doing this in their precious spare time. Not all are local to the area either. I know of someone who regularly travels up from London, unpaid.
As for the guided walks, we prepare these a year in advance. Even if only one person turns up, we will take them on the advertised walk because that is what they have come for. There is no charge for guided walks, this is a deliberate policy by the PDNPA to encourage participants.
I can't say anything about public transport in the rest of the Park as where I work from there are good transport links.
I am not a spokesperson for the PDNPA, just a dedicated and committed (!!) part time Ranger who enjoys what I do.
Why not go on one of our guided walks and see for yourself. http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/visiting/ranger-walks.htm

Have we said something to upset you Morton, you seem very defensive of the Ranger Service? Just finished reading your post for the third time and wondering what's brought it on :confused:

Anyway, as far as I can see from what you're telling us about the Rangers, I more or less do what you do every Sunday for Sheffield Forum Walking Group. Well, apart from I don't get paid, and only prepare the walks about a week in advance! Oh and I've never ever found myself "wishing I was in front of a cosy fire". I've never thought that. Wouldn't be fair to my friends who turn up in deep snow, fog or heavy rain would it?

I did a walk with the Rangers - 8 mile walk across high moorlandwith steep climb.
Yep the climb to the summit of Bleaklow was steep and 1 hours worth of almost vertical walk. We then trudged across heather and peat bogs with no footpaths or trails to follow. We did find the ruins of a Blenheim Bomber with the aid of GPRS.

This was a walk for serious walkers - not those who turned up.Who were all exhausted beyond belief and suffering back and leg strains by the finish.
I can't comment on other walks but this one put us of the others we had already pre-booked to go on.