# Walk Leading Tips ![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/42021b6a-cdb9-4f77-8c05-bf0637a94fa9.jpeg) This article is an extract from an email we sent out to the group a while back when the committee was trying to find innovative ways to help people step and for the first time and lead a walk. We are always very appreciative of new leaders coming forward, so wanted to provide some pointers that might help you get started on what can be a really enjoyable and rewarding experience. ## Walk lengths and whether to book lunch! * Whilst quite a few of our walks are around 10 miles, please don't feel like your walk has to be this long. We've had feedback from some of our members that they'd like to see some shorter walks on the programme, so if you'd prefer to book a 6-miler, please do go ahead. * We are really happy to arrange walks in the summer evenings on any day you choose - just email [Malc](mailto:walks@ekwg.co.uk?subject=Leading%20an%20EKWG%20Walk) our walks coordinator and he'll create a slot on the walks programme for you. Evening walks are often shorter (around 5-6 miles) due to the available light. * Some people might be put off by the responsibility of having to book lunch at a pub at the end, and confirming numbers beforehand. Please don't feel this is an obligation  - if you just want to lead the walk only, and not worry about lunch booking, that's absolutely fine. ## Meetup Last year, after discussions about falling membership numbers and problems recruiting, Kent ramblers decided to use a 'meetup' site called [Kent Hikers](https://www.meetup.com/Kent-Ramblers/), set up by West Kent Walking Group, to encourage new members. For those not aware of it, Meetup is an online service aimed at helping people with similar interests get together. Of all the Kent groups, so far only EKWG have used the facility by linking several walks to our programme. It's very easy to use and helps us caste our net that bit further. Some of you might be put off by the possibility of too many people joining a walk, and we don't want that either, but the great thing is each walk leader can choose how many people to invite through meetup.... 4, 6, 10, it's completely up to you. We'll never force any walk leader to use it or dictate numbers. We really appreciate our volunteers and don't want to discourage anyone coming forward. If you are happy to have your walk linked to meetup, please let either myself or Nick (both Kent Hikers administrators) know and we'll do that for you. It would literally be a copy and paste from the website and we'll deal with any meetup correspondence. On the day, they'll either be there or not at the start time. Like EKWG members, they may contact you if they're running late, but there's no need to treat them any differently, and walks shouldn't be disrupted at all. So far we've had some lovely people turn up, and some have already joined our group, so it looks very promising..... ## The EKWG 'How-to' Page We recently launched a new [How-to](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to) page on our website, that provides an archive of emails and articles that we've previously sent to the group with useful information that you may no longer be able to find in your inbox! For instance you'll find this very email on that page if you ever need to refer back to it. There are some potential useful things coming up in the next sections - so read on! You will have to be [logged in to the EKWG website](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/login) in order to see the [How-to](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to) articles. If you've forgotten your password or you've not yet logged on to our website, there is a [forgotten password](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/forgot-password) facility where you can reset it yourself. ## OS Maps App Some of the walk leaders in EKWG have found the [OS Maps App](https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/) really beneficial in helping plan and follow walks and don't use paper maps at all now! It works equally well on laptops, PCs and mobile phones. One of the best things about it is that the chance of getting lost or off-track is reduced to almost zero because a pointer on the screen shows you exactly where you are. We generally plan the routes on laptops or PCs, then follow them on our phones on the reccie and day of the walk. If you want to find out more about how to use this app, have a look at the [How-to article on OS Maps](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to/route-planning/os-maps), including login details that you can use for our 'group' OS Maps account (we have a recurring annual subscription for this that you can use for no cost). This account has all of the EKWG routes stored over recent years where our walk leaders used the app. You are more than welcome to use any of these routes as a basis for leading your own walks. ## Backup Walk leader If you are nervous about getting lost on your first walk leading 'mission', don't worry we'll always promise to have someone from the Committee present on the day or your walk, and/or we could join you on your preparatory reccie. We can also provide a paper map if you haven't got one or even plot your walk on OS Maps for you as a backup navigation aid. ## EKWG Website Walk Leading Tips If you'd like to take the plunge and lead a walk yourself, you can grab a 'slot' [directly from our walks programme](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/walks). Here's how! * Login to the website as described above and go to the [walks programme](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/walks). * There will be a **lead** button against any slots that are free: ![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/site-content/ef1a556d-0ec4-4c90-afdf-23223461ecd4.png) * If you find a slot that you'd like to reserve, click the **lead** button and you'll be presented with a screen: ![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/site-content/cbd8bd74-fe1c-433f-8995-acc159479245.png) * On this screen, you can complete the details for your walk, if you know some of them, or alternatively you can just click **Save** and the slot will be reserved for you. * You can come back later on and add more information until your walk is ready. Both you and Malc will be kept up to date with email notifications. * If you don't feel like planning your walk from scratch, there is a **Create my walk based on an existing one** section at the bottom of the screen, that may come in handy. There are two options here that I'll now explain.... * If you remember a walk that you particularly enjoyed that was led by another member, you can choose the **Previously led by:** copy option. This will initially be set to **Me**, so you can use this facility to re-lead a walk you've led before. But to choose another member's walks, just select their name in the dropdown and their walks will be listed for you to copy from - I've selected Stuart's walks as an example here: ![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/site-content/04575031-100c-473a-9319-9504b600a670.png) * Alternatively, you can choose the copy option **With an OS Maps route I can follow.** When you do this, only walks that have an OS Maps route 'linked' will be listed: ![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/site-content/65776ec5-cc89-4cc8-8253-d783a393618f.png) Choosing this option is great, in that you'll know it's a "tried and tested" route that will hopefully give you the confidence to get started. * If you make a selection from the **Create my walk based on an existing one** section, all details will be filled in for you, then you can make any of your own changes then **Save** it.