We walk on Monday and Thursday evenings in summer and at least one evening a week in the winter months. The mid-week walks vary from 3 miles to 5 miles and are led by an experienced walker. After the walk we often meet up in a local pub, so we can have a bit of socialising together, but this is always optional.

At weekends, we usually have day walks in the local area. These are often with other local walking groups and are generally around 6-12 miles, in areas within about 1 hour of Newport. These are led by an experienced walker. Bring sandwiches, a drink and appropriate footwear and clothing. We sometimes arrange a post-walk meal in a local pub/restaurant, so we can have a bit of socialising after the walk. Booking is often required for a meal and details of this will be shown in the walk details, if applicable.

There is no need to book, just come along and enjoy the great outdoors! If you are not a member, you may walk with us three times, after which you will be expected to pay the annual membership fee.

Upcoming Walks

For all our walks see

Grading

All our walks are graded as follows:

How to Prepare

It is important to come prepared. Bring torches, waterproofs, hat, gloves and other warm clothing, please. A walking stick may also aid your balance.

Please read through our Safety Requirements for Walkers before attending a walk.

It is the individual’s responsibility to arrange their own transport to the meet location, but we do encourage car sharing wherever possible.

PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE START

Want to propose and lead a walk? Get in touch

Participation Statement

All walks and outdoor activities carry risks of accident or injury. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions. Participants should also ensure that they are in good health, of sufficient fitness and have the correct clothing and equipment for a particular activity. Any questions – ask a committee member or event leader.

Detailed Walk Guides

Click on a tab to read more information

A good pair of walking socks is an undervalued part of a walker’s equipment. The right sock can make a difference between comfort and blistering. Most available socks are breathable, which accompanied with a breathable boot, will decrease the amount of stagnant perspiration. Socks also come in different thicknesses for summer, winter or spring/autumn use. It is important, when purchasing boots, that you try on thick socks to check the size can accommodate a thick sock.

Invest in a very good pair of professionally fitted boots as they really do pay for themselves. Your choice of footwear depends on your chosen activity. For wet and difficult terrain, waterproof boots with high ankle support are the best suited. For dry flat walking you may prefer cross-trainers which give you best of both worlds. Make sure that you can get no more than your little finger between your heel and the back of the boot and you can flex your foot back and forward without the boot rubbing. Many sellers allow a return policy providing you haven’t worn them outside, so try them on around the house as much as you like within the return period to make sure you are completely happy.

Due to British weather, you should never be without your waterproofs. Again, you get what you pay for with waterproofs. Look for items with Gore-tex™, Karrimor’s EVENT™, The North Face’s Hyvent™ along with many others simply tagged as waterproof. If you’re caught in a prolonged shower without waterproofs, your body temperature could drop, leading to more issues.

An essential piece of equipment for short and long walks alike to ensure that you can comfortably carry money, mobile phone, spare socks, extra layers, food and drink, as well as heavier camping and walking equipment if you’re making a weekend of it. An ill-fitting or badly packed rucksack can cause unnecessary back, neck or shoulder strain or rubbing.

These obviously only apply in the winter months and cold weather. In warmer weather it’s all about layers. Layers mean you have a level of control over your body temperature no matter what the weather.

This is a particularly useful piece of equipment if you are walking to improve your health as well as for enjoyment. A pedometer is also good if you plan to share your favourite routes with other people. It gives you the chance to state exactly how far the walk is so that people can judge for themselves how long it will take them to complete.

It is essential to carry these items if you are hill walking or rambling as it can be dangerous if you get lost in the UK countryside and these will help to ensure that that doesn’t happen. Carry a mobile phone if you have one although in some terrains it may not work.

This should contain essentials such as antiseptic wipes, sterile dressings, bandages, disposable gloves together with any necessary prescribed medication. Always ensure that the walk leader/organiser is aware of any medical conditions prior to the start of the walk.

Full water bottle and/or flask hot liquid, packed sandwiches, crisps, chocolate, fruit, extra clothing (especially in winter) and emergency rations. Please take plenty of liquid on hotter and longer walks.
  • Always plan your walk thoroughly and inform a friend or relative of your route and when you plan to be back.

  • Take navigation equipment, a fully charged mobile phone and enough change to make a call from a phone box should you need to and if you’re out of range.

  • Don’t forget to take a flask or bottle of water and some high energy snacks in case you’re out for longer than you plan to be.

All walk leaders will adhere to the Leaders’ Safety Guidance and will:

• Grade the walk (Easy/Moderate/Strenuous) and decide if children are allowed.
• Conduct a pre-walk to ensure safety and suitability, and create a route map.
• Provide a walk description detailing length, terrain, and stops.
• Complete a risk assessment for insurance, including recce date and weather.
• Assess dog appropriateness for the walk.
• Decide on walk viability based on weather conditions two hours prior.

• Advise on toilet facilities along the route.
• Assign a backmarker to ensure no one gets lost.
• Count participants and inform backmarkers of numbers.
• Start on time.

• Point out hazards and keep the group together at a suitable pace.
• Ensure road safety when crossing streets.
• Take breaks as needed, especially for newcomers.
• Conduct regular counts to ensure everyone is accounted for.
• Manage conflicts calmly and report incidents afterward.
• Keep backmarker informed of their duties.
• Engage with newcomers and share group information.
• Address any incidents: provide first aid if needed, call emergency services, and report to the group secretary.

• Gather feedback on the experience.

Dogs on Nogs Walks

Dogs are generally welcome on NOG walks, but specifics will be noted on our program or Facebook. While dogs can enhance the walking experience, we must respect the rights of all walkers and property owners. Here are our guidelines:

Dog owners must work with the walk leader to ensure a safe experience. The leader will address protocols during the briefing. Adhere to the Countryside Code, including closing gates behind you.

Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the walk. Short leads (3 feet or less) are required in certain areas to prevent hazards.

If cows or bulls are present, consult the walk leader about whether to walk with the group or around the field. Dogs should always be leashed in open access land.

The leader can prohibit dogs on walks with difficult stiles or high livestock presence, marked as NDP (No dogs please).

Dog owners are responsible for any damage or injury caused by their pets, including potential compensation.

Owners must bring bags to clean up after their dogs and dispose of waste properly.

All our walks are organised with safety in mind and a risk assessment is carried out beforehand. Any risks identified are verbally communicated to all walkers before the walk commences. The risk assessment carried out is detailed within the walk details for your information. 

In addition, we provide safety guidance for both leaders and walkers on our Policies and Procedure page

We recognise the harmful impact vehicles have on our environment and therefore encourage car sharing wherever possible. When walks are outside the Newport area, we will often advertise a local meet location to encourage car sharing. 

Anyone offering a lift to a walker must return their passenger(s) to their original pick-up point as soon as the walk ends, unless agreed otherwise with the car share members. 

It is up to those individuals that car share to agree transport costs between themselves but for guidance purposes a rate of 20p/mile is considered reasonable for fuel and vehicle wear and tear. 

Please see the expenses section of our Policies & Procedures page for the car expenses policy and claim form.