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Free Walking Weekends

"Will, Thanks very much it was a great weekend, good walks and great company. See you soon." Ian

"Thanks for a fabulous weekend - I had a brilliant time, feel refreshed and (almost) as if I've been on a holiday." - Nadia.

A bit of background . . .

There’s no beating the British countryside for straight forward walking in truly fabulous and beautiful surroundings. Free Walking Weekends (i.e. guided walking weekends – offered by us free of charge) are ideal for those of you that want to keep it simple, to enjoy life without the adrenalin rush or simply to get in some training before a walking holiday. Rolling countryside, fresh air and great beer; hey I’m there already! Please don’t be shy if you’re single – many people who join us on these weekends are: come alone, or bring a mate, bring your other half, bring a dog . . . Either way we’re easy and look forward to meeting you.

The next Free Walking Weekends will be . . . .

Further Notes

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 29th October 2010
Tops and Tails of the White and Dark Peak

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: This walk has us begin our day on the Longshaw Estate. From here we will trudge up to White Edge - and once this height has been gained it's all down hill from there on. (Well sort of/and not if you include the end bit). Along the tops we'll find our way to the picturesque Peak District town of Baslow - our half way point at around 6 miles. From here we will travel back along the river (a complete contrast in scenery - but delightful nevertheless) back to our start point via Grindleford.

Sunday: A short walk around the Burbage Valley taking local Peak District history from Viking burial grounds to Bronze-age hill forts. A lovely walk to shake out cob-webs before the drive home.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

5th / 6th Nov - Yorkshire Three Peaks Guided Walking Weekend

19th / 20th Nov - Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 3rd December 2011
Victorian Ways - Dark Peak

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: Another fine walk - combining the rugged NE corner of the Dark Peak with a strong flavour of Victorian agriculture and engineering. This walk takes us through the picturesque country village of Bradfield before heading up to Back Tor and Derwent Edge which cast their gaze over the Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs - themselves steeped in history. A great walk over a rather cheeky 15 miles.

Sunday: A short walk of total contrasts, this route takes in the villages of Eyam and Stoney Middleton, along the way passing through typical White Peak landscape of crags and caves. The ancient plague village of Eyam contrasts with the modern industrial workings of the Longstone Edge Quarry and those along Stoney Middleton Dale.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

27th December – 2nd January 2012 – Morocco High Atlas Adventure

7th / 8th January - Hill Skills 2 – Peak District Navigation Courses

Free Walking Weekend
NEW ROUTE! Commencing Saturday 14th January 2012
Legs of Steel! Howden Moors - Dark Peak

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: A long and worthy wander – or maybe just a desperate 18 miles of hard slog through some of the toughest terrain the High Peak has to offer. Forget to eat your breakfast, pack a good lunch, or your head-torch and maybe you’ll be found by the vultures when the warm spring-air defrosts your frozen remains come April! But if you’re up for a right challenge and some raw Dark Peak scenery – there can be no better way to burn your Christmas excess than joining us for this mighty yomp. Get some wax on those boots and fire us an email if you’re keen. Saturday night may see a few ales consumed (or whatever it is that takes your fancy) to celebrate 42 years of Will’s life (that very day).

Sunday: A short walk to clear the head, I mean to shake out those legs, taking a gander of those hills just north of Hathersage.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

21st / 22nd January – Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

11th / 12th February – Marsden to Edale Guided Walking Weekend

18th / 19th February - Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

Free Walking Weekend
NEW ROUTE! Commencing Saturday 25th February 2012
Nine Ladies of the White Peak

Base Camp: Youlegreave

Saturday: The Nine Ladies (on Stanton Moor) are nine free-standing stones which form a circle 10m in diameter and possibly dating back as far as 3000 years and form the focal point for today’s 11 mile walk. Naturally there are many stories that have developed over the years – and naturally these will be shared on the day. Overall an easy day in pleasant undulating scenery! And as usual the great day ends up in a local country pub where we’ll enjoy our supper and some bitter shandy maybe.

Sunday: You’ll enjoy a great morning trudging this ancient land crissed-crossed with its Bronze Age burial mounds, and classic limestone pavement exploring the hills around Chrome Hill. Fine way to end things before heading home.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

3rd / 4th March - Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

10th / 11th March – Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

31st March – Challenge4Charity 2012

6th – 9th April (Easter) – Peak Anniversary Trek 2012

7th – 20th April – Nepal, The Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 21st April 2012
The Peak District Rocks!!

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: This is a brilliant walk – and if you only ever do one walk, do this one. We'll meet up at 0930, gaiters donned and ready to rock and roll - before heading into the nearby hills north of Hathersage trekking northwards for Stanage Edge. The day's walk follows a circuitous route enjoying contrasting and beautiful scenery from the tops of Stanage and White Edge and finishing with the depths of the Derwent Valley. Following a great day on the hill is the usual great night in the pub!

Sunday: A leisurely walk out of Castleton up to Hollins Cross and along to Lose Hill with plenty nuggets of local folk lore. Ooh - love it! The day should be done by about 12 noon, leaving people plenty of time for the drive home.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

28th / 29th April - Hill Skills 3 – Snowdonia Gold Navigation Course

28th / 29th April – Lake District Skyline – Guided Walking Weekend

5th / 6th May - Hill Skills 2 – Peak District Navigation Courses

19th / 20th May – Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 19th May 2012
Across Kinder: It’s Got Teeth

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: This is the weekend that precedes the summer Solstice. So instead of wasting all that glorious daylight in the pub – let’s spend it walking these great hills of the Dark Peak. We may have gone over the top planning this – but we know some of you like a challenge. It’s 18 miles long with over 1200m of ascent. This beats most mountain days spent walking in Snowdonia or the Lake District – so if you fancy a right long trek – join us for this one.

Sunday: Let's take it easy - a few miles stroll out of Surprise View car park taking in Mother Cap and Padley Gorge should be about all we're good for!

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

2nd - 4th June - The Welsh 3000s Trek (in 3 days)

9th / 10th June - Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

16th / 17th June - Hill Skills 1 - Peak District Navigation Courses

23rd June - The Welsh 3000s 24hr Challenge 2012

30th June / 1st July - Hill Skills 2 - Peak District Navigation Courses

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 7th July 2012
NEW ROUTE! Pan Peak Views: White Peak

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: A tasty 14 miles to stretch your legs along classic White peak Dales and over the edges. Tumbling cliffs of limestone and gritstone, scenic trout-filled rivers and an abundance of this green and pleasant land: in short a wonderful way to spend a summer’s day!

Sunday: Getting it wild we'll head up to Dovestone Tor above Strines Moor and Derwent Reservoir. If the weather's on our side it will be idyllic views North East and West through rugged Dark Peak scenery. If the weather's not so forgiving - it'll be wet and wild and a great time to contemplate how good your waterproofs are! Time on the hill will be about two to three hours.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

14th July – The Yorkshire Three Peaks

28th / 29th July – Scafel Pike wild camping weekend

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 4th August 2012
Victorian Ways - Dark Peak

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: Another fine walk - combining the rugged NE corner of the Dark Peak with a strong flavour of Victorian agriculture and engineering. This walk takes us through the picturesque country village of Bradfield before heading up to Back Tor and Derwent Edge which cast their gaze over the Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs - themselves steeped in history. A great walk over a rather cheeky 15 miles.

Sunday: A short walk of total contrasts, this route takes in the villages of Eyam and Stoney Middleton, along the way passing through typical White Peak landscape of crags and caves. The ancient plague village of Eyam contrasts with the modern industrial workings of the Longstone Edge Quarry and those along Stoney Middleton Dale.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

11th / 12th August – Hill Skills 2 – Peak District Navigation Courses

12th – 27th August – Peru, The Ausangate Trek

18th / 19th August – Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

25th - 27th Aug - Hadrian’s Wall Guided Walking Weekend

1st / 2nd September – Brecon Beacons Guided Walking Weekend

15th / 16th September - Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

22nd / 23rd September - Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

29th / 30th September – The Welsh 3000s Trek (in 2 days)

6th / 7th October – The Edale Skyline guided walking weekend

13th / 14th October - Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

20th / 21st October - Hill Skills 3 – Snowdonia Gold Navigation Course

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 27th October 2012
Tour de Abney Low

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: For this weekend we present a whopper of a walk circumnavigating 26Km (that's about 16 miles in old speak) of the Peak District. This is a riverside circular starting and finishing in Hathersage. From here we'll head south down the riverbank to Grindleford and onto Froggat, up the hill to historic Eyam, onto Foolow, through Great Hucklow and finally via Bradwell before finishing the day . . . by the light of our head torches: can't wait!

Sunday: A cheeky little five miler with this lovely round of Hathersage that takes south along the Derwent Valley into Upper Padley – before commencing our way back via Millstone Edge.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

3rd – 16th November – Nepal, The Annapurna Base Camp Trek

10th / 11th November – Remembrance Sunday in the Lake District

17th / 18th November - Hill Skills 1 – Peak District Navigation Courses

24th / 25th November – Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

Free Walking Weekend
Commencing Saturday 1st December 2012
Winning Ways in the Dark Peak

Base Camp: Castleton

Saturday: Another Dark Peak classic tackling the ramparts of Win Hill. This delightful route takes us on a round of two hills that may just tax (a little) your thighs and calves as we ascend their summits. Win Hill, peaking into the sky like a miniature volcano is followed a few miles later with a climb of Crook Hill just on the other side of Ladybower Resevoir. This will be a short route designed for a winter’s day short on daylight hours … best pack the torches though … just in case. Two hills and a tad over ten miles.

Sunday: A short walk around the Burbage Valley taking local Peak District history from Viking burial grounds to Bronze-age hill forts. A lovely walk to shake out cob-webs before the drive home.

Calendar  Book Now

Also on the Calendar . . .

8th / 9th December – Outdoor First Aid - Peak District

27th Dec 2012 – 2nd Jan 2013 – Morocco High Atlas Adventure

Please note: Dates may be subject to change. Alternative and/or additional dates may also be arranged upon demand.

Why do we offer these weekends free of charge?

There are many reasons to offer these free walking weekends. On a business level it's a great way for us to market ourselves and to showcase what we do. It's also a great way for us to remove some of the anonymity that comes with being a web based business.

But there's more to it than that. It's nice to develop relationships and a community amongst our clients. This wouldn't work if every time you joined us on the hill you had to pay for the privilege.

And finally it makes us unique. None of competitors get it and none of them offer it.

What equipment will I need?

These weekends are designed to appeal to the novice as far as is possible and so they should be as accessible to as many people as possible. For that reason kit requirements are kept to the minimum and often we’ll be able to lend you stuff for no charge.

The time of year can impact on what’s needed. So in the summer months, shorts and t-shirt with a pair of trainers could be fine. In the winter months warmer clothes, robust wet weather kit and boots are more important – plus also a torch maybe!

Once you book your place a full kit list will be included with the details we send you.

About the Peak District

About three hours drive from London, The Peak District is our first national park and the second most visited national park in the world (after the Great Wall of China). It is named after the people who lived here – the Peaks. There is evidence that people have settled here as long ago as 7000 years back.

The Peak District spans four counties and is normally considered to constitute two parks – The Dark Peak to the north and the White Peak in the south – so called due to the geological make up of the earth. The Dark Peak – also known as the High Peak – has a lot of peat and grit-stone showing through in its soil – hence it looks dark. The White Peak on the other hand has a base formed from limestone – hence looking lighter in colour. The Dark Peak is wilder and more rugged whereas the White Peak is less hilly and more densely populated – it’s scenic villages drawing in the visiting tourists.

Finally – the Peak District with its miles upon miles of rocky edges and outcrops is the home to UK rock climbing offering the rock climbing enthusiast thousands of routes to choose from!

Peak District Accommodation - Castleton

While accommodation is not included in the price we will happily help you find something comfortable and to the liking of your budget - from campsites and barns to youth hostels and B&B's.

All our weekends in the Dark Peak (Rock 1,2 &3, Hill Skills 1&2, and many free weekends) have us based in Castleton, the Hope Valley, which offers the following accommodation options.

Camping and Bunkhouse
Pindale Farm Outdoor Centre
Pindale Farm, Pindale Road, Hope,
Derbyshire, S33 6RN
Tel: 01433 620111

YHA
Castleton, Hope Valley,
Derbyshire S33 8WG
Tel: 0870 770 5758
castleton@yha.org.uk

B&B
Bargate Cottage
Market Place, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WQ
http://www.bargatecottage.co.uk/
Tel: 01433 620201

Causeway House
Back Street, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WE
http://www.causewayhouse.co.uk/
Tel: 01433 623291

Cryer House
Castle Street, Hope Valley, Castleton, Buxton, Derbyshire, S33 8WG
Tel: 01433 620244
Fax: 01433 620244

Four Seasons B&B
Spital House, How Lane, Hope Valley, Castleton, Derbyshire, S33 8WJ
http://www.4seasonsbb.co.uk/
Tel: 01433 620 655

Rambler's Rest
Mill Bridge, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WR
http://www.ramblersrest-castleton.co.uk/
Tel: 01433 620125

Swiss House
How Lane, Castleton, Hope Valley, S33 8WJ
http://www.swiss-house.co.uk/
01433 621098

Willow Croft
Pindale Road, Hope Valley, Castleton, Buxton, Derbyshire, S33 8WU
http://www.peak-district-bed-breakfast-bb.co.uk/WillowCroft.html
Tel: 01433 620400

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn
How Lane, Castleton, Hope Valley, S33 8WJ
http://www.cheshirecheeseinn.co.uk/
Tel: 01433 620330

Castleton cottages and holiday accommodation guide including attractions in the Hope Valley.

Peak District Cottages More than 325 holiday cottages in the Peak District featured on Let's Stay Peak District - pet friendly cottages, luxury cottages and more self catering holiday lets for the UK's first National Park.

Peak District accommodation Let's Stay Peak District brings you more than 600 places to stay in the UK's first National Park. Choose from Peak District cottages, hotels, b&bs, campsites, pubs, holiday parks and more holiday or short break accommodation.

How to get to Castleton

With a view to helping the environment and keeping costs down you may be willing to share space in your car, or maybe you need a lift: either way, let us know and we'll see what can be done.

If you are making your own way, try plugging the above postcodes into www.streetmap.co.uk and you'll be provided a great set of instructions.

Alternatively take the train to Hope (in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire) and from there you can walk to Castleton (2 miles), get a taxi or take the 272 bus.

Taxis will need to be pre-booked - try these numbers:
Mick Rowland - 0777 1762068
Sickleholme mini-cab hire - 01433 651173 / 0777 3763445

Note - you must make arrangements to find Castleton in Derbyshire - there is more than one Castleton in the UK !

Email will@will4adventure.com for further details and for a place on one of our free adventures, or . . .

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Will4Adventure Adventure Travel Holidays - Calendar Of Events

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Will4Adventure Adventure - Free Walking Weekends

Will4Adventure Gift Cards. Ideal for Christmas and Birthday

Phill's cooking for the Hill

Photography Competition plus Ten Top Photography Tips

Will4Adventure Gap Year Course

Welcome to the Outdoors

Adventure Holidays
Amazing adventures around the world, guided by experts :

The Adventure Weekend
Your opportunity to try a bit of everything we offer inside one weekend.


Overcome Your Fear Of Heights
This course is unique: it combines two excellent approaches to enable you to regain control of your emotions from your phobias.


Corporate Challenge
Take people out of their comfort zone, inject a sense of adventure, some fun and a little shot of perceived danger – and even complete strangers will bond together, united as a team.


Gap Year Safety and Preparation Courses
Courses designed to equip you with the skills needed to negotiate travel in a world of uncertainty.


Hill Skills
Hill Skills courses. Learn how to negotiate hills and mountain areas in all kinds of conditions.


Winter Skills
Will4Adventure proudly present these two excellent Winter Skills courses.


Rock Climbing Courses
Increase safety and tackle higher peaks. Will4Adventure teach you to rock climb using fully qualified instructors.


Scrambling Weekends
Scrambling is an adventure in the hills and mountains that lies between walking and rock climbing.


Scrambling Holidays
These multi-day adventures are for those of you keen on scrambling up long mountain routes that sustain interest and adventure right to the very top.


Guided Walking Weekends
Some of the best trekking in the world on our very doorstep.


Scottish 4000s
Could Scotland’s 4000s be the greatest challenge event of them all?


Welsh 3000s
Up to the challenge of the Welsh 3000's?


First Aid Courses
We provide Immediate Temporary Care (ITC) first aid courses offering excellent hands-on first aid training that will take you from the office to the wilderness. All courses are HSE approved and QCF accredited at level 2.


Family Adventure Days
Will4adventure proudly present these 1 and 2 day adventures designed for families who want to get some fresh air and try some adventurous activities together.


Challenge4Charity 2012
The fantastic Will4Adventure annual charity event.


Free Walking Weekends
If you are thinking of booking an overseas adventure with Will4Adventure, but are not entirely sure, then come on a Free Walking Weekend first.


Expedition Equipment
Comprehensive kit list detailing expedition requirements.


Health and Safety Advice for Travellers
Some top tips for safe travel however far or near.


Why Will4Adventure?
Why should YOU book your adventure experience through Will4Adventure?


Gallery
Photos from Will4Adventure trips and courses.


Links - Selected links to useful sites.

Contact and Book Now   will@will4adventure.com

Will4Adventure Top Ten Must Haves for the Outdoors 2012 Edition

Advertise on Will4Adventure

Will4Adventure Hill Skills Navigation Courses

Prepare for the Sun



Outdoor Duo

Will4Adventure, Free Walking Weekends

Will4Adventure, Free Walking Weekends

Will4Adventure, Free Walking Weekends

Will4Adventure, Free Walking Weekends

Will4Adventure, Free Walking Weekends

The Independent Hostel Guide

lovecamping.co.uk - Camping and Campsites in the UK
Camping and Campsites in the UK.

Corporate Weekends

Will4Adventure Hill Skills Courses

Guided Walking Weekends

Will4Adventure Rock Climbing Courses

Lets Stay Peak District




                         

 


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