Festival Walk 8. The Wold Rangers Way In a Day Challenge (44 miles)

Festival Walk 8.

The Wold Rangers Way is a challenging 44-miles walk from Driffield out over the Wolds passing through dry valleys and historic Wolds villages. It is a circular trail taking place over a wide mixture of made-up footpaths, green lanes and tracks (with a few short road sections).

We've guided this walk many times during the day and overnight but always as it was designed - in a clockwise direction. However, this time we have decided to tackle it backwards (counter-clockwise), starting from Driffield and heading out along Long Lane tpowards Danes Graves and onwards from there. It should be interesting!

This walk should take approximately between 14 and 18 hours to complete depending on the conditions, walking pace of the group and the number of stops made.

T he £17.50 pp entry fee goes towards the event running costs and the fantastic support provided, plus your WRW completion medal with any surplus going to the Wold Rangers Way Charity. Volunteers provide support at checkpoints along the route and take your drop-back of spare kit along the way (more details below). Drinks, snacks and awater bottle refills are also provided.

Information to get the best from this guided walk [PLEASE READ]:

• Meeting place. Meet on Marketplace in Driffield at the Wold Rangers Way Map & Bench (the starting point of the Wold Rangers Way). Please arrive at 04:45 so that we can get away by05:00 allowing time for the walk leaders to check tickets and make introductions.

• Finishing place. This is a circular walk so will finish in Marketplace in Driffield.

• Walk Leader. An experienced walk leader and back-marker will guide and keep your group together. They will be available to provide help and assistance during the walk.

o The walk leader takes the welfare of the group seriously and may refuse a walker to join the group if they feel they have inadequate experience or equipment with them at the start of the walk.

o The walk leader will schedule brief stops during the walk.

• Fitness. It is the responsibility of all walkers to ensure that they are physically fit enough to take part in the walk and that they have appropriate clothing and equipment.

• Dropping out during the event. Sometimes, despite the best planning a walker may need to drop out of this walk. If this coincides with a checkpoint manned by our volunteers, you may be able to get a lift back to Driffield, but ideally you should have a friend on standby with transport should you need to drop-out.

• Equipment. walking boots or walking shoes are essential as the trail can be uneven and muddy at times. As we start early, it is usual for the grass to be wet from overnight dew (even if it hasn't been raining). The advise is to start out in waterproof boots and perhaps change at a morning checkpoint if it's dry.

o Ensure you have a hat, warm clothing and waterproofs As required for the weather conditions.

o A basic first aid kit - suitable for your own use.

o Volunteers will be able to take one small drop-bag per walker to the 3 pre arranged checkpoints during the day If you prepare a small drop-bag and ensure it’s clearly labelled with your name and phone number it can be taken to each checkpoint for you. The bag can contain spare kit and food/drink as required.

• Food and Drink. In addition yto the support provided. make sure you have sufficient water for the length of the walk and bring high energy snacks and a packed lunch.

• Map. A walking guide and illustrative map is available and the route is well sign posted. A map and GPX files can be found Here

o The illustrative map provided is designed for reference and we urge you to carry the relevant OS Map. As the route is on the edge of three OS sheets we suggest that an OS Custom Map may be useful for the walking festival. These can be ordered in advance of your walk (allow 7-days) from the OS website - use grid reference SE 9387 6083 or postcode YO253EZ to centre the map.

• Safety. Please always remain within your walking group whilst taking part in this event and notify the walk leader (or back marker) if you need to stop.

o We recommend that you download 'What3Words' onto your smartphone in case of an emergency.

o Please ensure you inform someone about your walk and your anticipate ETA back in Driffield

o Please ensure you make arrangements for your own uplift from the event should it become necessary.

• Ticket. Numbers are limited so proof of your ticket is needed on arrival at the event.

o Tickets are required so that we can manage numbers and ensure we have sufficient volunteer walk leaders and back markers available.

• Cancellation by us. In unsafe conditions, a safety assessment will be made and a decision may be taken by the organisers to cancel the event if necessary. You will be notified in advance by email if at all possible.

• Cancellation by you. If you cannot attend the walk for any reason please let us know by cancelling your ticket via Eventbrite as soon as you are aware. If there is a waiting list for the walk this will ensure your ticket is reallocated.

• Four legged friends. Dogs are permitted however the trail passes through farmland and therefore they must be well controlled and kept on a lead. This walk is not guaranteed to be dog-friendly and you may need to help your dog over stiles. Please ensure your dog is able to walk the distance of this walk and bear in mind that water sources along the route (streams etc.) are scarce.

• Please always follow the Countryside Code

Parking.

• On street parking is available in areas around Driffield but we recommend trying Eastgate car park, 43 Beck Side, Driffield YO25 6PG which offers unlimited, free parking. Other paid-for or restricted time car parks are available in the town.

Photography

• The organisers may take photographs and video during the walk to be used for future publicity including brochures and social media. If you have any objection please advise the event organisers at the START of the walk.

Children and Young People

• Children and young people under-16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Liability

• The Wold Rangers Way organisers have endeavoured to ensure the safety of participants. It cannot, however, be held liable for any injury or loss of, or damage to, personal property, however caused. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information detailed.

• The Wold Rangers Way Trustees (event organisers) cannot accept responsibility for any errors and omissions.

Background info - What is the Wold Rangers Way?

The main Wolds Rangers Way was launched in August 2021 and is a challenging circular trail which winds its way 44-miles from Driffield over the Yorkshire Wolds through amazing chalk landscapes with dry valleys with stunning wildlife alongside vibrant market towns and ancient Wolds villages. It also captures the unique history of the Wold Rangers and ensures that their names and stories live on forever. There are several circular trods (walks), each named after a Wold Ranger, which again, start and finish in Driffield.

More Information:

General local information including where to park

Shop, Eat, Drink - guide to places to shop in Driffield