WALK TALL - Informal Walking Group
WalkTallSpain is an Informal walking group of friends exploring the beautiful open areas around where we live, without the vulnerability of walking alone. Together we enjoy walking, exploring, socialising and improving our overall fitness.
Who can join this informal walking group?
You must be someone who enjoys walking, and be able to walk a minimum distance of 5 miles (ca. 8 km), We're a mixed bunch of residents and non-residents of mostly British nationality. If you are looking for a walk-fast-n-furious style walking group, then this probably isn't the right walking group for you. We walk the pace of the slowest walker and enjoy the local scenery on route.
When and Where are the walk routes?
The walks are focused mostly around Almanzora, Albox, Cantoria. With a sprinkling of routes in Mojacar, Oria, Somontin, Purchena, Fines, Olula del Rio, Macael and more. They're typically organised for Monday Mornings and Wednesday Evenings (mid-afternoon to the late evening, depending on the time of year). You pick and choose the walks you want to attend based on the route information provided.
How much does this cost?
If you’d like to contribute, a small donation of 2.50 euro per person per walk, that would be appreciated to help cover walking-related expenses (incl apps, software and website). Please note that on some routes, we may stop at a tourist attraction or a local bar. This is known about in advance and everyone is responsible for ordering and paying for their own refreshments or tickets.
Are you a trained guide?
No! - This is an INFORMAL walking group. I am NOT formally trained. I organise these walk sessions because I want to share the routes I have found with like-minded people. I DON'T have public liability insurance or group rescue or medical insurance. We ALL walk at our own risk; and are all personally/individually responsible for ourselves and our belongings. I do strongly recommend that anyone walking with me, be that on a solo walk, recce walk, or group walk, take out their own rescue and personal medical insurance in case of an accident on a walk. If you're visiting the area for a holiday, you should check that your travel insurance cover is sufficient. If you find that it doesn't then please ensure that you take out extra cover for the sport of walking and hiking. You should discuss your needs for insurance with your insurance advisor.
To reiterate - each member is solely responsible for their safety, well-being, insurance, and belongings on the walks. Tracey will not be held liable for any injuries, accidents, or losses that may occur.
What is needed for each walk?
- positive attitude
- appropriate clothing & footwear for the weather and route (including additional clothing if the wind picks up or for extended stops)
- torch (law on roads at low light)
- hi-vis (law on roads at low light)
- whistle for attracting attention
- food and drink appropriate for the route duration, energy levels required, and weather
- first aid kit (and basic first aid knowledge)
- charged mobile phone
- emergency contact number (easy to locate should it be required)
What are the guidelines when attending a walk?
- Everyone must have signed a disclaimer and handed this to me at the start of their first walk (Please see the RELATED DOCUMENTS link on this page) It acknowledges that you understand that outdoor activities such as walking can be hazardous,
and you're voluntarily participating in these walks with knowledge of the risks involved.
- Everyone is responsible for arriving BEFORE the start time. The group will start on time and will not wait, even if you have said you're coming
- Everyone is responsible to walk as a group and not break away, if they do so, it's at their own risk.
- Everyone is responsible for deciding if they can personally walk the
chosen route based on their current fitness, ability, health, and weather conditions. No one is to participate if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Everyone is responsible for wearing hi vis on roads, and to walk on the left-hand side in
the direction of oncoming traffic, in single file.
Are dogs and children welcome?
Due to the social nature of the group walks, the group is not open to children. I ask that dogs are not included out of respect for group members who are not comfortable around them, have allergies or have fears.
Images are taken by myself and others. These are shared within our closed Facebook walking group. Some are shared on personal social media. I may also use photos on this website. PLEASE DO NOT JOIN this walking group if you do NOT want any image/s used online. By coming on the walks, it will be taken that permission has been given.
How do I join?
If you have any other questions, please feel free to
email me. If you agree with the above, then request to join the
Walking Group on Facebook to learn about future walks.
It is a PRIVATE Facebook group which is searchable, but unless someone is a member, they will not be able to see who is in the group, or the contents shared on the group. New Facebook group members are required to answer a few questions before being allowed admittance/
"I love to Walk, I am Tall and I live in Spain - hence the name WalkTall - a positive term for one's confidence and bravery, which is something I feel we need when living abroad.We come together to share a love of walking, with a positivity to help uplift and encourage those with the aim to get fitter, or who may be struggling to settle here in Spain" - Tracey x