Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Cornwall and Devon LDWA.
We are one of over 40 groups throughout the country that represent the Long Distance Walkers Association at local level.
The LDWA's stated aim is 'to further the interests of those who enjoy long distance walking' something which the Cornwall and Devon group does through its calendar of group social walks, organisation of challenge walks and help at checkpoints.
Our first group walk was held on 23rd March 1980, since then we must have collectively walked many thousands of miles and are still going strong!
Group Walks
You will find our walks programme on this website. It is also published in the LDWA national magazine Strider, on the national LDWA website and in our own group magazine 'Footnotes'.
Group walks usually take place on a Sunday, they are open to all LDWA members irrespective of where they reside. New walkers considering joining the LDWA may try two group walks before taking out membership. There is a page on this website with galleries of pictures taken by members on recent group walks
Challenge Walks
We organise at least three challenge walks throughout the year.
LDWA challenge walks are open to all, although there may be restrictions on persons under 18 years of age. The aim is to walk a route via defined checkpoints within a specific time. These walks represent extremely good value for money as the entry fee includes refreshments (often homemade cake etc), a certificate and usually an unforgettable experience.
Our challenge walks are:
March: Chagford Challenge: 30/21/16 miles routes around Dartmoor. EVENT FULL.
July: Reservoir Kanter: 25/19/14 miles navigational challenge centred on a Dartmoor reservoir.
October: Sidmouth Saunter: 25/17/14 miles circuits in East Devon.
In addition every three years we organise the Wellington Boot, a 100km (62miles) walk in Somerset based at Wellington.
This walk is part of the South West Triple Challenge. To complete the challenge walkers must also complete the Wye Forest 50 (organised by Bristol and West LDWA) and the Dorset Giant (organised by Dorset LDWA) in consecutive years.
The next Wellington Boot will be held in 2014.
The flagship event of the LDWA is the annual 100 miles challenge walk known as the Hundred, where entrants have to domplete the distance within 48 hours. This event is held in a different location every year.
The Cornwall and Devon group have organised the Hundred most recently on Dartmoor in 1994 and Exmoor in 2004.
We have been chosen to organise the 2013 Hundred. Planning is well advanced for an ambitious linear route starting in North Cornwall and finishing in Teignmouth, South Devon via some of the regions best scenery along the way.
The Cornwall and Devon group has a long tradition of willingness to travel any distance every year to manage a checkpoint on the Hundred, dispensing great hospitality and good cheer in equal measure.
So if you're interested in walking, why not give us a try ?