Walking in remote countryside

Includes: Outdoors, Nature and the great outdoors, Walking

Activity time:
Full day

Age:
4+

Cost:
Low
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No walk in the park

Walks in remote countryside are challenging - and therefore often the most exciting! Make sure you're trained up and fully prepared.

Overview

Remote countryside covers anywhere in the UK, except steep slopes, rocky ground, scree, loose rock and exposed ridges.

If you are unsure of the classification of the countryside where you are planning to walk, please contact your local walking adviser or outdoor activities adviser.

To take girls walking in remote countryside, you will need to find a qualified group leader.

Planning checklist

Safety notes

  • If Girlguiding members join an organised walk, they must be supervised by an appropriately qualified adult.
  • All equipment must be suitable for the walk or expedition being undertaken. Essential first aid and emergency equipment must be carried.

Make sure you follow the safety regulations on the main walking page.

If any member of the group is under 18 and the group is walking farther than 30 minutes from an accessible road or refuge with a landline telephone, the group leader must:

  • Either: hold the Girlguiding Walking Scheme Level 3 Award
    • and appoint a suitably experienced adult deputy
    • and know the route from previous experience
    • and submit the route plan in advance to the Girlguiding Walking Technical Adviser (your Country/Region Walking Adviser or the Girlguiding Outdoor Team Walking Specialist will be able to provide contact details; alternatively, contact [email protected]).
  • Or: hold the Mountain Training UK (MTUK) Mountain Leader Award (ML) or higher National Governing Body (NGB) qualification. It is also recommended by Girlguiding that the leader appoints a suitably experienced adult deputy.

If all of the group are over 18 or the group is walking within 30 minutes from an accessible road or refuge with a landline telephone, then the group leader does not need to hold a qualification.

The group leader must hold the Mountain Leader Winter award if:

  • the group is planning to walk where ice or snow is prevalent or forecast and any member of the group is under 18
  • and the proposed route is further than 30 minutes from an accessible road or refuge with a landline telephone.

If the NGB award holder is a Girlguiding member then this qualification should be listed on Go! and the qualification must have been re-validated for use with Girlguiding in the last three years. If the NGB award holder is not a Girlguiding member or the activity is not taking place at an approved activity centre you should contact [email protected] for further advice.

Section Number of girls per adult
Rainbows 5
Brownies 8
Guides 12

How many adults are needed?

Use this calculator to find out the ratio of girls to adults that is required for this activity

Calculator
2 adults needed

Normal Girlguiding ratios outside the meeting place apply. The group size should be appropriate for the walk being planned, with a minimum of four walkers if members of the group are under 18 years old.

A group of Rangers walking in remote countryside without a qualified leader must be supervised by an appropriately qualified adult who will ensure their safety and well-being during the walk, but does not have to be with the group at all times (for example when being supervised on a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition). See more guidance on this.

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