Away Trips

Around six times a year, the club ventures a little further afield to visit some of the more remote parts of the UK over a weekend. This can be the mountains, the National Parks, the coast - we basically look for the most beautiful places to walk!

The walks that are led each day will depend on the walk leaders we have and the groups we are leading. Typically they will include an option for a hill or mountain walk (often climbing the highest local summit - we like to put the "Hill" back into "Hillwalking"!) and an alternative, though on smaller trips we may only run one walk.

A couple of times a year we organise longer trips, usually during the Easter and Summer breaks. These will cost more due to the higher accommodation costs. Occasionally we break out the club tents too and go camping!

Tap below to explore some Away Trip FAQ's...

What's the cost?

Our trips typically cost £40 - £65. You'll also need to be a paid member.

What's included?

Minibus travel to/from accomodation and walk locations. Drop off at home at the end of the trip.
Accomodation for the duration of the trip (usually a bunkhouse or camping). Please note it is not always possible to have segregated male/female sleeping spaces - please get in touch if this is an issue.
Most meals: Breakfasts and packed lunch for Saturday and Sunday, Saturday dinner (on a standard length Away Trip). Vegetarian food is provided as default.
Two walks led by your friendly Away Trip Secs.
Stunning views and great company! :)

Where/how far do you go?

We host walks all around the UK, mainly around our National Parks and mountainous areas. We typically drive up to our chosen location on a Friday evening, returning late on Sunday evening. In alphabetical order, here's some Club favourites Away Trip locations:

Brecon Beacons National Park
Cairngorms National Park
Cornwall AONBs (St Ives, Lands' End, Mount's Bay, Lizard Peninsular etc)
Cotswolds AONB
Dartmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park
Lake District National Park
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Norfolk (north coast and Broads)
Peak District National Park
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Snowdonia National Park
Yorkshire Dales National Park

Who can come/what level of experience do I need?

Any current Southampton student is welcome to join us! Uni Staff or Alumni? Get in touch to see how to obtain Union Associate membership. You do not need to have any hillwalking experience, we take absolute beginners to seasoned explorers. As long as you have the kit listed in the event advertising material, enthusiasm and are happy to be walking long distances (6+ hours of walking a day) over varying and at times steep terrain, then feel free to sign up for a trip!

People with specific needs (eg: food allergies, dietary requirements, relevant medical information, religious needs etc): please let us know at the time of sign-up. We will do our very best to accomodate everyone. Letting us know of a need the day before or on the day of an event is too late!!

I'm down for it, where do I hear about your next trip?

That's great! Our trips are advertised via the mailing list (subscribe here) and on our Facebook page. When you see a trip that interests you, make a note of the sign-up date and time. Sign-up is usually first-come, first-served. If successful, you'll recieve an email with payment instructions and a reminder of the kit list. If not, fret not! We'll add you to a reserve list and contact you in the event of someone dropping out or failing to pay. We can't wait to share the highlights of the UK's countryside with you!

Equipment: What kit do I need for your Away Trips?

For our Away Trips, you'll need to bring a little more than for our Day Walks. The following are items you MUST bring:

Walking BOOTS. Sorry, trainers aren't suitable for Away Trips.
Comfortable clothing, suitable for the temperature and weather conditions.
A spare change of clothes
A sleeping bag (the club has some spares to hire). We stay in bunkhouses where bedding is not provided. No hotels where we go!
A waterproof jacket is a must. Waterproof overtrousers are recommended too.
Water bottle(s) capable of carrying at least 1L of water.
Rucksack to hold your day kit - 30L size is recommended minimum. Everything else can be left in the bunkhouse or tent.
Personal snacks and extra layers, particularly in winter
Tupperware, to hold your club-provided lunches!
Toiletries - toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo etc. You get the picture!
Towel

All of the above are available at reasonable prices online and at discount sports shops such as Decathlon or Go Outdoors, located in Southampton. Please contact us at the earliest opportunity if you need kit advice or clarification. We will do our very best to help you out!

⚠ Some trips may require extra kit (such as camping trips or winter trips) so always use the full kit lists provided in the trip briefings and emails to pack. The kit requirements are for your comfort and safety as well as the safety of everyone else. Regretfully, we may have to turn you away if you cannot obtain appropriate kit.

BMC Guide to Hillwalking
The British Mountaineering Council, the governing association for Hillwalkers has produced this guide for walking in hillier and mountainous regions of the UK. It's recommended reading for anyone coming on our Away Trips (Note that we are not affiliated to the BMC).

Event adverts and sign-up Rules, terms and conditions

The Minibus Mix - Thomas Edwards' edition

Minibuses have speakers. Speakers mean music. While the choice of music is down to each particular driver, often you'll hear our current default playlist, the minibus mix. at over 38 hours long, with 550+ songs, the full version available here tends not to repeat that often. Every trip it gains a few more songs from trip-goers.