About us
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This group is sponsored by Escape Rooms Cardiff.
The Walking Social Club - making friends & adventures since March '24.
Welcome!
A free walking group with occasional events and activities, for adventure lovers who want to explore parts of South Wales and its surrounding areas of beauty.
For nature, city, and park walks, shorter routes are generally on weekday evenings, and longer ones on Sunday afternoons.
Social events & activities are varied and sporadic!
✌️ We welcome new, friendly faces. Come and say hi - we've all been newbies - I was nervous at my first event, too. (It would help if you had a photo on your profile so we know who you are.)
💎 Meetup IS free, with ads, but please be aware that they will push Meetup+ at you regularly. You do not have to take up their offer of free trial. Look out for the X to close the pop-ups.
⚠️ Be prepared! Please *read* the event description, check the weather forecast, and wear sensible, appropriate walking gear and boots. Routes and paths are often uneven, steep, wet, and muddy!
🐕 Dogs are very welcome on our walks (the more the merrier!) but must be kept on a lead in areas that require it. You must be comfortable walking with dogs, as they usually attend every walk.
🥪 Bring some water and some snacks if you get hangry. Some bring a light-packed lunch, and we usually stop for 20 minutes at the top. Consider getting a cheap seat pad to park yourself on; they are very handy.
🕒 Please update your RSVP if you can no longer attend, as it saves us from hanging around. ❌ A '3 No-shows and out' rule applies to those who can't remember. End times are always estimated (please don't make plans immediately after the end time).
📷 Not everyone wants their photo taken; politely ask before taking pictures of other members at any point during a walk. Please message me if you want a photo of yourself removed.
🗺️ Please remain with the group. If you are ahead, please wait at the next plateau or fork in the path. If you get lost, message the walk leader; they will be waiting for you further along the route. If you find yourself falling behind, make an extra effort to catch up, or give a shout, as we can't always provide a backstop. We generally walk 3pmh/5kmph on flat, but overall we're only as fast as our slowest walker, and we're all ok with that.
💬 We have a WhatsApp Community, it’s a simple space to chat, coordinate lifts, suggest hikes, and reach out when needed.
Totally optional to join (and yes, muting is highly recommended 😄). Ask any member to add you!
⭐ If you consider leaving us a public review, it helps the group grow, but please remember you're *not* rating the weather, the music, your cold chips, or if you didn't like the hills or the view at the top! You are rating the group's event that we volunteer our time to organise for you to enjoy.
🌎 Please feel free to suggest a route you'd like to take or an activity you'd like to do; we love exploring new areas and experiencing new things.
ℹ️ Let us know if you have any questions about the route, additional requirements, needs or health issues you feel we should be aware of.
🏞️ If you're looking for more local rambles, join the lovely bunch at Cardiff Walking & Outdoors Group.
Catch you at the next one.
Calum, Shaun, Diane, Sandy, Chris, Rach, Molly, Zola & Syd 🤓🤠😺😎🧑👩🐾🐾🐾
This group is sponsored by Escape Rooms Cardiff.
-DISCLAIMER -
Everyone participating in any 'The Walking Social Club' event does so at their own risk. You are always responsible for your safety.
The group is not a registered organisation, community interest, or business, has no employees, and can not be responsible for you.
The group does not employ or provide qualified guides, leaders, or first aiders at any event.
When attending any event, there may be risks associated with high terrain, cattle, obstacles, and other hazards for which the group is not responsible.
No host or leader assumes responsibility for anyone attending an event and is not responsible or legally liable for any accident, injury, or loss resulting from any event or in connection with travel to an event.
Outdoor activities require practical and appropriate equipment (boots, clothing, and waterproofs). You may wish to take out suitable insurance to cover you for any activity at an event.
While accepting no responsibility or liability for events organised, the event host or walk leader may, at their discretion, refuse to admit you to the walk or event.
Upcoming events
10
New Orleans Jazz - Full House Brass Band
Pipes Brewery, 183a Kings Road, Cardiff, GBBack with the blast of the big sousaphone, Full House Brass Band will be taking to the stage at King's Road Yard for some more NOLA' goodness.
Expect funky horns, grooving drums and an overall celebration of all things Crescent City, taking you down the mississippi to that good city of New Orleans.
Pizza's available from Tom's Pizza
Drinks available from Pipes' BreweryDoors 7.30
Music 8 - 9.30/9.45 with a short breakFor new faces, if you would like to meet, I will be at the bar at 730 for ten minutes before going in.
Beyond that, there is no meetup point or time for these casual live events, unless discussed in the chat. It's pretty fluid so come as you please. All are welcome.
The event space is right at the back of the Kings Road Yard lane.
This group is sponsored by
Escape Rooms CardiffTickets here:
https://www.ticketsource.com/merlemusicevents/full-house-brass-band/e-rpvjvy38 attendees
365 Steps, Penterry Church & Chepstow Park Woods
Lower Wyndcliff Car Park, Lower Wyndcliff Car Park, St Arvans, Chepstow NP16 7JB, St Arvans, GBDistance: approx 10 miles (16km) circular
Elevation gain: 625m
Difficulty: Hard
Start time: 10am
Duration: approx 6 hoursLocation: Lower Wyndcliff Car Park, St Arvans, Chepstow NP16 7JB
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PLafSQa6D5zw7aun9?g_st=acW3W: ///abruptly.ferrying.nuggets
Prepare for a journey through time and nature on this wonderful circular walk near Chepstow. We will begin with the famous 365 Steps, a steep but rewarding climb following in the footsteps of 18th-century "Wye Tourists" who came to see these "picturesque" landscapes. Our reward at the top is the Eagle's Nest, a double-decker viewpoint offering a breathtaking panorama of the Wye Valley, the Severn Bridges, and distant Cotswold Hills. Our path then leads through quiet fields to the isolated Penterry Church, which dates back to at least 955 AD and stands as a lonely reminder of a village that locals believe was lost to the Black Death. We loop back through Chepstow Park Woods, a 900-acre ancient woodland and medieval hunting park, with a mix of towering Scots pines and ancient broadleaf trees. These woods are a haven for fallow deer, buzzards, and rare greater horseshoe bats.
Because the "365 Steps" can be very uneven and slippery after rain, sturdy walking boots with a good grip are highly recommended for this trek.
Bring snacks and sandwiches, and plenty of water. We'll stop for lunch part way round.
Dogs welcome, please keep on lead while we pass livestock.
This is a recce, I have not walked this route before.
Possible pub stop afterwards at the Piercefield in St Arvans (note google maps' location for pub is wrong at time of writing, I have submitted an edit request)
This event is sponsored by
www.EscapeRoomsCardiff.co.uk32 attendees
Glamorganshire Canal Walk
Hailey Park, accessed from Radar road CF14 2FU, Cardiff, Cardiff, GBA charming and flat, circular 7-km/4.5-mile walk from Hailey Park up to the hidden gem that is the historic Glamorganshire Canal, at Long Wood Nature Reserve, to Tongwynlais and back via Taffs Trail.
Invest in a good, rechargeable torch for the way back as the nights draw in!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BX963118/Parking & meeting point
https://maps.app.goo.gl/57MaR7rcEcnHc4FJ7This group is sponsored by
Escape Rooms Cardiff40 attendees
Striding Edge - Helvellyn Weekender
Ullswater Heights, Silver Howe Flusco, Newbiggin, Penrith CA11 0JB, Penrith, GB⚠️ Regular members only ⚠️
This challenging trail will test your nerve and skills on two steep and narrow ridge scrambles as you make your way over the summit of Helvellyn, the third-highest peak in England.
Do not underestimate this trail as it will require mountain skills and a head for heights. Striding Edge is a grade one scramble, defined as an exposed walking route that requires you to use your hands to pull yourself over rocks and boulders, with a serious risk of falling at height on steep, rough terrain; it does not require ropes or specialised climbing gear.
Although this isn't the scariest scramble, it's very important that you know what's in store.
Starting in Glenridding, the trail winds its way up to Birkhouse Moor, Hole-in-the-Wall, and then on to the ridge proper, culminating in the scramble up Striding Edge. Here, great care and concentration are needed to pick your way along this very technical and narrow rocky ridge. Hands-on climbing will be needed on tricky sections, including a long, steep descent near the top of the ridge.
The path then levels out onto the loose gravel track to the summit of Helvellyn. Here you can enjoy sweeping views before tackling the tricky descent.
The scrambling descent down Swirral Edge will also require very careful footing, climbing, and route selection as there are big drops, slippery rocks, and loose sections.
⚠️We will only attempt this trail in calm, clear, and dry conditions. We will avoid adverse weather as the technical paths become incredibly slippery and dangerous.
⚠️You are not welcome to climb anyway; if it is regretfully cancelled by us, a plan B for us all to enjoy will be at the ready.Accomodattion/Camping
The best all-rounder I can find is Ullswater Holiday Park, but please arrange your own accommodation. Shout out on the WhatsApp chat for sharing.Accomodation that can host us all has 1,2,3,& 4 bed lodges, pods and even safari tents.
Accommodation Link Here
Alternatively, stay where you like. You'll be spoiled for choice if you want something more boujie nearby on Airbnb or booking sites.Friday:
Leave in the morning, and arrive at the site for check-in.
- Rowing, kayaking, or canoeing, SUP, archery, for an hour on Lake Ullswater, or archery and axe throwing
are amongst other activities available.
If there's enough interest, we can charter a boat for 10 people to take us for a luxury outing on the lake
https://wakeandsurf.co.uk- Evening meal at a restaurant of our choice in the area or a buffet at someone's accommodation.
Saturday
Climbing Helvellyn
Route is 8-miles / 13-km with 1,000 m of elevation gain.
https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/explore/trail/england/cumbria/helvellyn-swirrel-edge-and-striding-edge-circularEvening: beers & BBQ at mine.
Sunday
Individual car/groups choice - explore the area if you wish, but I will be having breakfast and chilling, followed by the drive home.This group is sponsored by
Escape Rooms Cardiff23 attendees
Past events
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