Sunday Saunter - Canals and Woods of Leighton Buzzard
16 people attending
4 places left
Join OutdoorLads for a Sunday "saunter" from the Bedfordshire market town of Leighton Buzzard.
Following a short wander through parkland we join the Grand Union Canal. The first half of the walk or thereabouts follows this as it meanders north through increasingly rural scenery to the Three Locks, where we'll probably (depending on timing) stop for lunch, there's also a pub here so if it's open anyone who wishes can cram in a quick pint!
A little further on we leave the canal and head up a steep hill (one of the few on the walk) to enter the woodland of Rushmere Country Park, through which we continue, with a bit of up and down, until we return to the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard.
We then join the Riverside Walk back into the centre, and optionally to a local pub for a drink at the end.
This event is easily accessible by train from London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes etc and timings have been set for that to work so if you don't drive it could be one for you. Car is of course fine too.
Don't waste that space!
Please only book if you know you can make it. If your plans change please free up the space for someone else.
Is it dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome but please note and abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and be prepared for a couple of stiles / hills on the walk and fields with livestock. Please also remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.
New Members
Please feel free to join this as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions then feel free to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".
Image / photo credits: All leader's own images - with permission for OutdoorLads to use and reuse
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What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking/walking. Note that this route could well be quite muddy and wet in places depending on the weather, so your best white trainers are not advised, though trail running shoes with decent grips will be fine if you don't mind wet feet (that's what I wore to recce the route).
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket and trousers: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Hat and gloves: it's probably going to be getting chilly by mid October, particularly later on
Head torch: if you have one it's probably worth bringing it as there's a chance we'll start losing light by the end of the walk particularly if we have to wait for delayed trains, but if you don't have one this isn't essential as the riverside walk is quite easy underfoot
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. There is a Tesco and a Morrisons in Leighton Buzzard, these will open at 10am if you want to pop there before the walk - Tesco is fairly near the station, and we will pass it on the walk if you're in a hurry :)