Walking hints and tips

Whether it's on your own or with family and friends, walking is a great way of getting out and about in the countryside. Not only that, walking is a safe, healthy and free activity that almost anyone and everyone can participate in. Listed below are just a few useful guide notes on walking that will help you enjoy getting out and about:

What to wear and take
It's best to be prepared for all sorts of weather, well this is Britain! For most types of walks the only special equipment you need to take are a good pair of walking boots or shoes that keep your feet warm and dry. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate to the weather, multiple layers waterproof outer layer. Take plenty to eat and drink.

In colder weather take a flask of hot tea or coffee or perhaps even soup. It is always a good idea to take along spare clothing just in case you should get wet with an unexpected slip into a stream or get caught in a sudden downpour. Your check list may look a bit like this:

• walking Boots
• waterproof Clothing
• maps and compass
• food and Water
• watch/torch (in winter)
• money
• first aid kit
• camera and mobile phone
• flask (hot drink in winter)
• spare jumper
• spare trousers/socks
• hat and gloves in winter

Weather
Weather suitable for being out walking is a matter of personal choice, some like it hot and dry while others are happy to be out in pouring rain or in snowy cold conditions. Remember strong winds, rain, sleet and snow could effect the time you take. Check the weather forecast before leaving, we have included a link to the met office on the 'Enjoying the Countryside' page.

Company
If you are heading out to an area you've never visited before, why not take friends or family for company? Should you decide to head out and walk on your own, remember to tell someone where you are going and what time you're likely to return so if you should get into difficulties the alarm can be raised. Don't forget to inform them when you return - it gives you the opportunity to tell them just how much of an enjoyable day you've had.

Planning
Plan your route before you go. Think about how long you would like to be out and what you would like to see. Once you have decided on your route, work out how long it will take. You can do this either by using the scales on the map or a rough guide walking speed is about 2.5 to 3 miles per hour for someone of average fitness, although hills will slow this speed down.

Finding your way when out
Walking in the Shropshire countryside can vary whether you're in the north or south of the county but it is unlikely that you will get seriously lost. However, always take a map of a suitable scale with you that clearly shows the route you have chosen, and make yourself familiar with it, should you get confused as to where you are, remember the golden rule DON'T PANIC.

Maps Ordnance Survey Explorer series are the best (orange covers). These are available at most bookshops or direct from the Ordnance Survey. Those that cover Shropshire are as follows:
OS Sheet Number 201 Knighton and Presteigne, 203 Ludlow, 216 Welshpool and Montgomery, 217 Longmynd and Wenlock Edge, 218 Wyre Forest and Kidderminster, 240 Oswestry, 241 Shrewsbury, OS Sheet Number 242 Telford, Ironbridge and The Wrekin, 243 Market Drayton, 257 Crewe and Nantwich.
Also available is the Landranger (pink cover) series, but there is less detail (for instance field boundaries are not shown), and therefore they are less suitable for finding your way across the countryside.

Public rights of way are depicted on the legal Definitive Map. This may be consulted at the county council's Countryside Access office in Shirehall, Shrewsbury - please contact us if you would like to visit.

Try and remember the last time you were certain of your location and think how far you have walked since then, this will give an idea of which part of the map you are in. Have a slow look at your surroundings, can you see a church spire or electricity pylon, or perhaps you can hear a road which you can then find on the map.

Before venturing out into the countryside for the first time, spend some time getting used to maps and compasses, try simple short walks to practice maybe in an area you already know.

Above all go out and enjoy your time in the our countryside.

Further Information:
Further information about planning your break and where to stay in Shropshire is available from Shropshire Tourism.