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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
We've tried to provide answers to the following questions that people often have about the club. If you can't find the answer to your question here please feel free to email rambling@cusu.cam.ac.uk and we'll get back to you with an answer!
Membership and the email list
What we do
What's the difference between rambling and hillwalking?
You may have noticed that there are several walking clubs in Cambridge! Generally we do day walks in the local countryside around Cambridge while Cambridge University Hillwalking Club do weekend trips away to more mountainous areas. You can of course join both clubs and so get the best of both worlds!
How often do you have rambles, and do you have rambles during the vacations?
During term time we usually have two rambles each weekend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Of course you don't have to come on every walk - you can just turn up to as many or as few as you like! During the vacations we organise rambles on a more informal and ad hoc basis via a vacation mailing list. An email is sent out about this towards the end of each term.
How long are your walks and how fast do you walk?
We usually try to have a mix of short and long walks each term, ranging from around 8 km (5 miles) right up to the 130 km (81 mile) Varsity March! Most rambles are between about 10-30 km (6-18 miles). Since our main aim is to relax and enjoy the countryside, we do not usually walk very fast (perhaps around 2-2.5 miles per hour). It depends a bit on the walking conditions and the type of ramble.
Where do you normally go for your walks?
Most of our rambles are in the local countryside around Cambridge and also in neighbouring Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Sometimes we go further afield to places such as the south coast and the Chiltern Hills. You can get a good idea of the types of places we go to by looking at the current and past termcards.
Do you do any longer trips away?
Yes! Every Easter vacation we have a 5-7 day Easter Ramble youth hostelling trip somewhere in the UK. In recent years we have been to the Dorset coast, Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Information about this trip is usually sent out by email towards the end of the Michaelmas term. Sometimes we also organise trips over the summer vacation on a more informal basis; in recent years these have included walking trips to the French Pyrénées, the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall.
Do you visit places of historical or local interest on your rambles?
Cambridgeshire is rich in local history and our rambles frequently encounter historic churches and houses, defensive earthworks, ancient burial mounds and so on. Sometimes we plan rambles specifically to visit places that we think are particularly interesting (these are then mentioned in the ramble descriptions on the termcard) but so often the most interesting gems are those that we simply come across by chance!
Do you do anything other than walking?
We have regular pub meets every Thursday during term time - please check the website and weekly emails for details. All are welcome to gather for tales from the trail, whether or not you've been on a ramble before! We also have a punting trip in the Easter term, as well as occasional meals out.
Practicalities
Do I need to sign up in advance to come on any of your rambles?
There's no need to sign up in advance for the vast majority of our walks - to join a particular ramble just turn up at the time and place indicated on the termcard! For some unusual or complicated rambles (such as the Varsity March and the scavenger hunt) and some social events where we need to know numbers in advance we sometimes ask people to sign up, but this will always be made clear on the termcard.
Where do rambles start from and how do you recognise each other?
Usually from either the main Drummer Street bus station (meet on the corner of Drummer Street and Emmanuel Street) or at the train station (meet in the main entrance hall, in front of the ticket machines). Occasionally a ramble will have a different meeting point, but in all cases the meeting point is specified on the termcard and on the website. We are usually quite obvious - look for a group of people wearing walking shoes and rucksacks! In addition the walk leader will usually have a sign to hold up reading 'Cambridge University Rambling Club', as well as a map and our mascot Dylan the sheep!
How does transport to and from the ramble work, and how much does it cost?
Except for rambles starting and finishing in Cambridge we usually take a bus or train to the start of the ramble. How much the ticket costs depends on how far away that particular ramble is going, but the cost is always given on the termcard. In all cases we will tell you which ticket to buy when you arrive at the bus or train station for the start of the ramble.
I haven't done much walking before. Can I still come along?
Yes! Our shorter rambles are generally very gentle and relaxed and easily accessible to almost anyone!
What should I bring / wear?
Walking boots or dedicated walking shoes are often a good idea, particularly in the winter. Trainers and similar footwear are fine for the summer and when conditions are dry (if it is wet and muddy you may find that you slide around a lot in trainers and/or get wet feet). Generally you can wear whatever clothes you like although you should bear in mind that in the winter whatever trousers and footwear you wear are liable to get a bit muddy. And of course in the winter you should make sure you have sufficient warm clothing. We sometimes stop at a village pub en route, but you should always bring a drink and a packed lunch anyway (except on short half day walks). It is also a good idea to bring some waterproof clothing in case of rain.
Miscellaneous
How can I get more involved in the club?
We are always looking for people to join our committee! Being a committee member basically involves leading one or two walks per term. It's fun, allows you to learn map-reading skills in a friendly and supportive environment, and looks great on your CV! No previous experience of leading walks is necessary! Although the traditional time for joining the committee is at the annual general meeting in the Lent term, we currently have a number of spaces on the committee due to people having recently left Cambridge, so if you'd like to get more involved in the running of the club or find out more about what's involved we'd love to hear from you - just email Susan on sar70@cam.ac.uk.
Not found the answer to your question? Please feel free to email rambling@cusu.cam.ac.uk and we'll get back to you with an answer! Alternatively, if you have a question about a specific walk, it's usually best to email the walk leader for that ramble - you can find their email address at the bottom of the termcard or on the committee page of the website.
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