Sunday Walks are usually graded Leisurely or Moderate. Saturday Walks are graded either Leisurely/Moderate for lower-level routes or Strenuous/Technical for higher-level routes.
Leisurely - walks for the reasonably fit with at least a little country walking experience. May include unsurfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.
Moderate - walks for those with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Strenuous - walks for experienced fellwalkers with an above average fitness level. May include hills and rough country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Technical - walks for experienced and very fit fellwalkers with additional technical skills. May require scrambling and use of ice axes or crampons.

Over the course of the last three years the Club have been prepared to encourage the use of the Denton Travel Services minibus for Club events by subsidising fares as minibuses leave a significantly lower carbon footprint per passenger than any other form of public transport. Minibus events in 2023 received a £688.50 subsidy, events in 2024 received a £510 subsidy and events in 2025 received a £526 subsidy. During the same period, if the Club had adopted a more generous fare refund policy, this would have cost an additional £368 (21 x cancellations). Disappointingly, a lack of membership support for this year’s Whinlatter [26th July] (4 bookings)], Mungrisdale [4th October] (1 booking)] and Swaledale [29th November] (8 bookings)] events resulted in their cancellation. Denton have confirmed that the cost of the minibus will increase by £100 to £425 per hire in 2026.

At the beginning of the year, the Club attempted 3 x Club Organised Car-Sharing Events. Disappointingly, of the 20 associated car journeys (participants = 42), only 5 were Club Organised [Anne Marie Forster (x2), Evelyn Brown & Lucy Topping kindly volunteering].  Committee therefore were left with little other choice but to drop the Club Organised Car-Sharing option as it was clearly not being supported by the vast majority of car owning members. This obviously increases the risks of cliques developing and members without access to a car being unable to participate in Club activities.

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of Gateshead Civic Walking Club will be held in the Lamesley Room, Gateshead Civic Centre, NE8 1HH on Thursday 15th January 2026, commencing at 6:00pm.

Questionnaire_Analysis_AGM_Proposals.pdf            SecretaryReport2025.pdf

AGM_Nominate.pdf                AGM_agenda_2025.pdf

Craster/Low Newton [Saturday 31st January 2026] - There is a huge variety of wildlife on this suggested 8½ mile (with 112ft of ascent) BLACK coastal walk such as seals offshore, rafts of eider ducks, seabird nesting cliffs, a good variety of waders, rock-pool life, fresh water pools at Newton with breeding warblers and ducks, diverse insect life and many types of wild flowers. This is a real walk of two halves with coastal grasslands on the walk to Dunstanburgh Castle giving way to a magnificent sweep of beach at Embleton Bay leading to Newton. The best things about this walk are the iconic ruins of the castle, the Ship Inn at Low Newton and the seabird cliffs at Dunstanburgh Castle, that are best viewed from the beach. There really is something new every time you walk this exciting route.

Osmotherly [Saturday 28th February 2026] - The 8-mile (with 1215ft of ascent) YELLOW walk from Osmotherley, which has both a medieval church and an 18th Century Methodist chapel, has a decidedly ecclesiastical flavour with a restored Tudor chapel nearby, beside a small hilltop wood. Indeed, a detour in order to visit the superb remains of this Carthusian monastery is highly recommended. It is a grand scenic walk, which hugs the edge of the Cleveland escarpment to continue across Scarth Wood Moor, where there are fine views of the surrounding Cleveland hills. The return follows a section of the Hambleton drove road before swinging off the moor and crossing a delightful wooded valley on its way back into Osmotherley.

Patterdale 14th March 2026 for 7 nights - Anne Marie Forster, Neil Waite, Ian Goodman, Natalie Goodman, Lynn Boyle, Liz Beech, Lucy Topping, John Costello, Ronnie Willison & Lynn Ford will be spending 7 nights in Drey & Hollow Lodges at a cost of £137.50 per member. This 300-acre private estate is located in the breath-taking Ullswater valley, wrapped around the southern tip of Ullswater, England’s most beautiful lake. Ideally located at the foot of some of Lakeland's most magnificent and scenic mountains (Place Fell, St Sunday Crag, Helvellyn, High Street) and, at the same time, for exploring by car the whole of the Lake District as it is within a short drive of Penrith, Keswick, Windermere, Ambleside, Bowness and Kendal. If you are interested in joining them, please contact the Secretary ASAP in order to avoid possible disappointment.

Hadrians Wall/Haltwhistle [Saturday 28th March 2026] -

Yorkshire Dales/ North Yorks [Saturday 25th April 2026] -

Scottish Trip - Oban [Sat 9th May 2026 for 7 nights] - Cologin Farmhouse, recently accredited with a Silver Green Tourism Award for their sustainable practices and values, is a spacious traditional farmhouse. With a Cold Water Therapy Barrel and a Scandinavian wood fired Hot Tub from where you can enjoy some star gazing, a large south facing enclosed garden and patio there is space for everyone. The house is situated in the scenic Lerags Glen ensuring peace and privacy but is still less than 3 miles from the vibrant harbour town of Oban, with views across open farmland and walks from the door. The Barn, a rustic pub with plenty of character is nearby and is s good place to catch up over a drink and tasty local fare following the days adventures. Ellen Morrison, Mike Morrison, Lynn Ford, Ronnie Willison, Ian Storey, Jean Walker, Steve Walker, John Costello, Lucy Topping & Malcolm McVey will be staying in Cologin Farmhouse at a cost of £236.50 per member (inclusive of a refundable £20 breakage deposit). Should you also be interested in participating, please contact the Secretary ASAP in order to avoid possible disappointment.