The New Forest Group of The Ramblers' Association was set up in 1969.  Walkers with the Group enjoy exploring the area from West Dorset to East Hampshire - roughly a 80 km/50 mile radius from New Milton.  Members get full walk details three times a year showing walk length, outline route, meeting point, time to go, and a leader/contact phone number.  

Walks are on a 'turn up and go' basis, which means that the quoted time is the time to have your boots on ready to walk, but you don't need to tell the leader in advance that you are coming - so if you are late he or she won't wait!  Walks take place at weekends and on Wednesdays and alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year.  Those on Sundays and Wednesdays are usually between 10 and 12 miles, taking from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, with a picnic lunch and sometimes a pub for a drink.  Walks on Saturdays are very popular and are between 5 and 6 miles.  Thursday walks are at a more leisurely pace.

'Specials', such as breakfast walks, evening walks and moonlight walks along the shore are popular and a walk to view the Round-the-Island Yacht Race is arranged every June.  A week of walks in the Purbecks, with optional B&B, is a bi-annual event and coach trips have enabled the Group to explore further afield with both short and long walk options.  As well as a varied programme of walks, there are occasional social events, such as bar skittles, BBQ and annual dinner.  

In 2003, a group for younger members, the Wessex Walkers, was set up with their own programme of walks and social events.  For those with young children, special family walking is arranged once a month. 

We are part of the national group, The Ramblers' Association.  For further details click on the link below.  For details of membership, please click here.