Blairgowrie and District Next Steps

Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Next Steps Walking Group

All change - again. We now expect the bus back early May.

We are slowly building up our user base following lockdowns, to make sure that bookings are not overwhelmed. We are starting Tuesdays to ensure it remains manageable, but the walks for a while will be more like what we used to do on Thursdays. If members wish to join in please contact Nick. Subs will be kept under review and initially at least we will not be reintroducing the annual membership. As we are now doing more local walks and the price of fuel has stabilised we have reverted to £5 per session per person. Numbers are still small so the risk of a cancellation is high. Please do not turn up on the off-chance of a seat, let me know in advance.

The Wednesday Walks are subject to sustainable demand, and of course we will need sufficient volunteer leaders. For whom skills refresh training can be arranged.

BaDNS provides a range of weekday walking opportunities supervised by fully qualified walk leaders and first aiders, suitable for most abilities.

If anyone who has booked and is showing Covid symptoms please let me know and please also withdraw while you isolate. We would be grateful if you err on the side of caution.

Schedules

Our programme of walks range from easy low level or town based starter walks up to very serious extended and remote hill walking, and associated activities. They are designed to allow people to develop and progress at their own pace reaching whatever standards they set for themselves. Our programme evolved from the easy and short single walk Stride for Life programme that started in early 2004. As people gained confidence and fitness many found that they needed more challenges. This grew so successful that a full range of walks spread over different days had to be developed. After an initial introduction (on a few Wednesday walks) all participants are welcome (bus seats permitting and subject to the subscription) to take part in whatever walks and activities they are capable of doing.

Running totals for the moderate and advanced walks

May 2005 to date

Walked: 104,313.6km (64,817.5 miles),

Climbed: 3,974,944m (13,041,116ft or 2,469.9 miles),

on 10,564 walk places, of 1037 walks of

10,478.5km with 409.6km of ascent.

2022 to date Advanced Walks

Walked: 646.6km (401.8 miles),

Climbed:19,600m (64,304ft or 12.2 miles),

on 66 walk places, over 12 walks.

2020 to date Mid-Level Walks

Walked: 760.5km (472.6 miles),

Climbed: 28,000m (91,863ft or 17.4 miles,

on 90 walk places, over 8 walks.

Not including more than 40 easy walks with an average of 34 people every year since January 2004 (more than 20,000 walk places over 1,400 walks of average 3.5miles up to December 2019).

Walking is a great way to stay healthy and active. It benefits weight control, blood pressure, cholesterol, helps to maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints whilst giving you more energy.

Can you prescribe nature?

"All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking."

- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Blairgowrie and District Next Steps follows the

Scottish Outdoor Access Code