Welcome


Cornwall & Devon 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 & Devon does through its calendar of group social walks, challenge walks, and help at checkpoints.

Our shortest walks are about 15 mi.  We walk around 20 mi on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Our three annual Challenge Walks typically include 30 mi+ options. From time to time, we even put on walks up to 100 mi ...

We walk on Dartmoor National ParkExmoor National Park, the South West Coastal Path, the AONB's of East Devon, Cornwall (including Bodmin Moor, the Camel Estuary, the Lizard & Rame Head), North Devon, the Tamar Valley, South Devon, the Isles of Scilly, and Blackdown Hills, as well as the hundreds of miles of Public Rights of Way and quiet lanes across the two counties.

Our first group walk was held on 23rd March 1980. Since then we have collectively walked hundreds of thousands of miles and are still going strong!

2023 AGM

Our AGM for 2023 will be via Zoom at 7:30 pm on Wednesday 15th November.

Membership Benefits

Individual UK membership is £15.00.  Buying some gear?  Members get discounts from a range of different retailers. For example: Paramo 10%, Taunton Leisure 15%, Elite Mountain Supplies 20%, RunnersNeed 15%.

Group Walks

You will find our Walks Programme on this website. It is also published on our Meetup page, on the national LDWA website, and in the LDWA's national magazine Strider.

In Cornwall & Devon, we always walk on the 3rd Sunday of the month, for approximately 20 miles (30 – 35 Km). The leader is in charge of the details of the walk, but, in general, the walk will usually start at 9:00 am, with a tea break at about 11:00 am, lunch by 13:15pm, and an afternoon tea break between 15:00/15:30 pm. Depending on pace, terrain and weather conditions, the walk will normally be finished by 17:00pm. (Sometimes on the same day, a shorter, slightly slower Walking ASlower Pace (WASP) walk is available, from the same starting point).

From time to time we offer shorter weekend or midweek walks, often accessible by public transport etc 

All our walks are open to all LDWA members irrespective of where they reside. New walkers and Meetup members considering joining the LDWA may try two group walks before taking out membership.

Walk Coordinators and Walk Leaders

We are actively trying to encourage more of our members to lead walks. We have three Walk Coordinators (contact details here). Our Walk Coordinators ensure that we have a full programme, and liaise with members thinking about leading a walk to choose a date, route, and to publish details across our various web pages. In all cases, the Walk Leader will ultimately be responsible for planning and recceing the route, break times, maximum number of walkers, and whether dogs will be allowed. On the day, the Walk Leader will ensure that the group follows the agreed route, walks at an appropriate pace for the group, and does so in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Previous Walks Database

The LDWA maintains a database of all walks since 2008.  You can access Cornwall & Devon's database of walks since 2008 here.

Challenge Events

We usually organise three Challenge Walks throughout the year, where entrants can test themselves mentally and physically, on routes via defined checkpoints within a specific maximum time limit.

LDWA Challenge Walks are open to all, although there may be restrictions on persons under 18 years of age. These walks represent extremely good value for money as the entry fee includes refreshments (often homemade cake etc), a certificate and great memories between old and new friends. They can be oversubscribed, so book early to avoid disappointment.

If you are a member and have helped out on any of our challenge events - don't forget you can make a claim to help to cover the costs of items such as cake ingredients or mileage. Download a Form from our Expense Claim Form page.

The LDWA 100

 Each year around midsummer, the LDWA organises a 100 mile Challenge Event, for qualified participants. As well as supplying a number of participants, 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