Walk the Path

Please note this event is now fully booked (8th May 2008).

Join this special weekend event on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May, which follows the route of the River Blackwater. On Saturday we will cover about 13 miles (21km) from Aldershot to Sandhurst and on Sunday the walk covers 10 miles (17km) from Sandhurst to Swallowfield.

The path is relatively flat and you can go at your own pace although there will be walk leaders if you would like to walk with them. Refreshments and toilets will be available along the way and there will be transport back to / from the day's starting point on both days.

Costs: £6 per person for one day, £10 per person for both days. Booking  Essential

Event Details

Saturday 10th May: Aldershot  to  Sandhurst

The first day covers approximately 13 miles, predominantly on flat surfaced footpath. However the first section of the path through Rowhill Nature Reserve, the section through Aldershot Park and a section towards the end of the day will be along un-surfaced path that can be wet and muddy.

Sunday 11th May: Sandhurst to Swallowfield

Day two starts in Sandhurst and will take you to the end of the path at Swallowfield. You will cover approximately 10 miles over un-surfaced paths and will be walking along field edges, which can be muddy. On both days there will be sections of road walking and road junctions to negotiate.

Route

The route will follow the Blackwater Valley Path, which largely follows the line of the river. Although the route is waymarked, there are a number of junctions where it may be difficult to follow, so maps will be given to all walkers before they set off.   There will be walk leaders that you can walk with if you wish. If you get to a point where you are not sure of the direction please wait. There will always be someone behind you to help.

Walk Start Points & Car Parking

• On Saturday 10th May car parking will be at Wellington Monument and a minibus will transfer walkers to Rowhill Nature Reserve Field Centre for the start of the walk.  At the end of the day the walk finished at Sandhurst Memorial Park and a minibus will take walkers back to the Wellington Monument car park.
• On Sunday 11th May the walk starts at Sandhurst Memorial Park. However there will be split parking, some walkers will be asked to go to Swallowfield Memorial Hall and a minibus will transfer them to Sandhurst, others will be asked to park at Sandhurst Memorial Park and when the walk ends at Swallowfield they will be taken by minibus back to Sandhurst.* The hall at Swallowfield has been booked so that you can have tea and coffee at the end of the walk and wait in comfort for your lift.
  * SUNDAY: Due to the popularity of this walk there are only a few starting slots from Sandhurst now available. As from 14th April anyone  booking to Walk the Path on Sunday 11th May will have to go to Swallowfield Memorial Hall where a minibus will transfer them to the starting point at Sandhurst. A location map will be sent on booking. 

Walk Leaders

There will be a walk leader setting off  with each group of walkers on both days. Please feel free to walk with the leader of your group or at your own pace. There will be a walker who will remain at the back to make sure no one gets left behind.

Stopping Points

There will be morning and afternoon stopping points on both days where refreshments will be available and a lunchtime stop with hot and cold drinks and toilet facilities. 

Check Points

We will take details of each walker at the start of each day.  There will be check points at each of the stopping points and at the finish. We ask all walkers to report at each check point, so we know that everyone is ok. If a walker leaves the walk for any reason they should inform a walk leader or another walker.

Walking Safely

On both days there will be sections of road walking and road junctions to negotiate. Great care must be taken when crossing the roads, as some are very busy. Some sections of the path pass through fields where cattle and horses will be grazing. All walk leaders and check points will have first aid kits and mobile phones, anyone experiencing difficulties or feeling unwell should let one of the walk leaders know. A vehicle will be available on both days to pick up any walkers who are unable to complete the walk.

What Walkers Need For The Event

• Comfortable footwear, suitable for country paths that can be muddy in parts.
• Suitable clothing for the weather either a water proof jacket or sun hat and sun screen!
• Bottle of drink and a packed lunch.
• Mobile phone, if you have one, it is always a good safety device although there will be walking guides with phones if there is a problem.
• Your information pack, containing the map and instructions for the walk. This will be given out at the start of the day.

Report on last year’s walk >>>