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. As Denton have confirmed that the cost of the minibus will increase by £100 to £525 per hire (i.e. £33 per seat), the use of the minibus will be reduced going forwards.

Since losing access to a Council self-drive minibus a couple of years ago, the Club are now even more reliant on all members participating, whenever possible, in Car-Pooling/Car-Sharing in order to reduce carbon emissions, allow those totally reliant on public transport to participate and relieve pressure on extremely limited parking at most of the walking venues. Ideally with increased participation, the same members won’t have to volunteer their cars each time and therefore the associated wear and tear/maintenance costs will be equally shared amongst all members. At the same time this will prevent 'car-pooling cliques' forming as, by travelling in different cars each time, you’ll get the chance to socialise with other members.

Club Special General Meeting [Thursday March 2026]. A Special General Meeting of Gateshead Civic Walking Club will be held in the Lamesley Room, Ground Floor, Civic Centre on Thursday 5th March 2026, commencing at 6pm. Please complete & submit the SGM_Motions form by 19th February should you wish to propose and motions and/or Constitutional amendments for consideration.

2025 Club Annual General Meeting [Thursday 15th January 2026]. 19 members kindly attended the 2025 Annual General Meeting with 24 members sending their apologies for absence. SecretaryReport2025.pdf    agmmin2025.pdf

Craster/Low Newton [Saturday 31st January @ 10am] - 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. Car-sharing from Gateshead Civic Centre car park @ 8:45am will be in operation. Please contact the Secretary should you wish to make either an ‘Offer a lift from Civic’ OR  ‘Require a lift from Civic’ booking - if kindly offering to use your car, please state how many passengers you can take (petrol & parking expenses will be shared within each car). Alternatively, should your journey to Craster be shorter than the 45 miles from the Civic Centre, then please make a ‘meet up @ venue @ 9:45am’ booking [NE66 3TW]. Confirmed ‘Offer a lift’ booking(s) = Evelyn Brown, Anne Marie Forster, Lucy Topping & Ania Retkowska. Confirmed ‘Require a lift’ booking(s) = John Costello, Cath Fatkin, Pat McCahill, Roger Smith & Jean Walker. Confirmed ‘meet up @ venue’ booking(s) = Natalie Goodman.

Osmotherly [Saturday 28th February @ 10am] - 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. Car-sharing from Gateshead Civic Centre car park @ 8:45am will be in operation. Please contact the Secretary should you wish to make either an ‘Offer a lift from Civic’ OR  ‘Require a lift from Civic’ booking - if kindly offering to use your car, please state how many passengers you can take (petrol & parking expenses will be shared within each car). Alternatively, should your journey to Osmotherly be shorter than the 55 miles from the Civic Centre, then please make a ‘meet up @ venue @ 9:45am’ booking. Confirmed ‘Offer a lift’ booking(s) = 0. Confirmed ‘Require a lift’ booking(s) = 0. Confirmed ‘meet up @ venue’ booking(s) = 0

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.

Hadrian's 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.