Important Walking and Hiking Information
Clothing
We do order fine weather for all our clients tours, but we can't claim a 100% success rate, so we advise you to bring a good strong waterproof hiking jacket and a pair of waterproof over-trousers preferable with zips in the legs, so they can be pulled on and off without taking your boots off. Sun cream to protect your exposed skin from the sun and wind is a good idea, even in cloudy weather. Cotswold Outdoor offer excellent deals on walking and outdoor equipment if you need new gear for your walking tour.
Footwear
Your tour will take you over a variety of terrains from tarmac back roads, stony lanes, good footpaths and rocky footpaths. In wet weather some of the footpaths may become muddy and slippery. Along the way you may encounter some steep gradients both up and down. A good strong pair of waterproof walking boots with ankle support and good gripping soles are a must. For your own comfort, please make sure they are well worn in. Don't forget your favorite blister remedy. Just in case!
Walking Poles
You may find a pair of walking poles an invaluable aid over steep and/or muddy terrain.
Provisions
Some sections can be very remote without the opportunity to visit a shop a pub. We would recommend taking plenty of water along with some snacks and a packed lunch where needed.
Maps
We provide a detailed itinerary, walking guide and our unique 1:25,000 scale waterproof maps for each step of your walking tour. However, if you would like like maps of the wider area, we recommend Ordnance Survey maps which are available for the whole of the UK in 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 formats.
Emergency Precaution
You should arrive at you accommodation around 5pm. As a safety precaution, we ask your accommodation providers to inform us, or the police, if you have not arrived by 8pm. For your part, if for any reason you do not expect to arrive at your accommodation before 8pm, please let your accommodation provider know, all the relevant telephone numbers will be in your information pack. A mobile phone is useful, especially if you are a lone walker!
Insurance
We advise you to take out you own holiday insurance against accidents, injury and cancellation. We have negotiated preferential rates with Colombus on behalf of our clients.
Walking Glossary
We became aware from feedback from our visitors that terms we take for granted are not also understood by our overseas visitors and newcomers to walking and hiking holidays. As a result, we thought it would be helpful to provide a short pictorial glossary of some common walking and hiking terms used in England.
A cairn is a pile of rocks and stones used to mark the route.
A finger post is a signpost marking the route. It may have one or several arms, depending on the size of the junction
A milestone is a stone marker giving the distance and sometimes the direction to the next major place on the route
A Kissing Gate is a small gate giving access through a wall or fence that swings and 'kisses' its posts
A Stile is a step allowing a walker to climb a wall or fence (shown on the left of the gate in the photograph).
To cross a wall, a stile may sometimes take the form of a ladder on both sides of the wall
A Stone Step Stile is set of steps in a wall allowing a walker to climb over and gain access.