You can find details of forthcoming weekends here, but make sure that you read the information at the bottom of this page before booking.

Would you like to organise a weekend? Contact us! See the Weekend Leaders Checklist for more information.

All those attending weekends away must do so through official group channels.

Planning and Participating in Walks course

30th July - 1st August

Cost: £39

Number of places: 16

Details: Spend a lovely weekend (residential) learning how to read a map and use a compass in the beautiful setting of Wentworth Castle. The course entails a five-mile walk on the Saturday afternoon in the splendid South Yorkshire countryside putting into practice what you have learnt in the classroom. Food and accommodation included in the cost.

Organisers: Northern College (through Adrian Radcliffe)

Booking: Please email walks@madwalkers.org.uk.

Moffat and Borders Walking and Social Weekend

27th - 30th August

Cost: £45

Number of places: 70

Details: This weekend is a social and walking weekend to satisfy the needs of the entire group, so I am looking for volunteers to assist in organising socials and walks. I have a few long walks planned already and have also looked at the local area and noticed lots of interesting things to be explored including historic houses, gardens, a nature reserve and Grey Mare Falls to mention a few. The weekend is to be fully catered except for tea on friday which will be booked at a pub nearer the time.

Accommodation: The Well Road Activity Centre, Moffat

Organiser: Adrian Radcliffe

Booking: Enquiries & Bookings to be made to Adrian on walks@madwalkers.org.uk - bookings open on Mon 14th June - 40 places online and Wednesday 16th June - 30 places in Knott Bar. Please make cheques or transfers payable to Adrian Radcliffe (bank details on request).

New Years Trip - Rhongyr Isaf Centre (SA9 1GB) - Brecon Beacons

Wed 29th Dec - Sun 2nd Jan

Number of places: 50

Organiser: Andrew Armstrong

Booking: Bookings open after September

Information

MAD Walkers' weekends are very popular. They are a great way of really getting to know people, having a laugh and making the most of your weekend by exploring the great British countryside with your new friends. Their popularity means that we have to limit entry to members of the MAD Walkers (Group MR8). For safety and insurance reasons, all attendees have to book officially through the weekend leader. If you're not a MAD Walkers' member - join or transfer today!

Accommodation ranges from bothies, barns, YHA hostels, independent hostels and tents and anywhere else that will take us! We typically book for about 20-30 people and travel out on the Friday night sharing transport with two or three other people, wherever possible. It's a poor state of affairs if we don't make it to the pub for last orders! Meals are usually self-catering, but for more remote places where there are no shops or pubs serving food, meals are sometimes provided. It is all down to the decision of the weekend organiser.

If you have stayed at a hostel, bunkhouse or campsite that has really impressed you please let the weekend coordinator know by emailing so that we can consider them when organising future trips.

Walking

The difficulty of the walking really depends on several things, mainly the terrain. We do aim to offer a variety of walks on the weekend, which depends on the surrounding terrain and potential walk leaders coming forward. The final day's walk is generally shorter so that they finish earlier to allow people to get back home in reasonable time.

How to go on a weekend

First, make sure that you're a member of the MAD Walkers (Group MR8); if you aren't, join or transfer. Then check the weekends above to see if any of them appeal to you, and at what time they open for booking. This will be usually be at a specific social, which will be advised on the website and bulletin board. Please bring your membership card and a cheque or cash to pay. Included in the cost of the weekend is an administration charge, which covers the weekend leader's expenses with any surplus going to group funds.

Before booking, please ensure that you can cope with the walking difficulty. For example, much of the walking in the Lake District and Scotland is not suitable for people with questions about their fitness, or equally if the weekend leader has questions about their fitness. Please consult the weekend leader for reassurance.

After the weekend has opened for booking, any remaining spaces will be advertised on this page. Places are not reserved until full remittance or the specified deposit is received. The weekend leader decides on a maximum number of people on the weekend based on comfort in the accommodation and to make for easy management of the group whilst out on the walks.

Hopefully, you won't be too late, so good luck!