The Kinder Walk is organised on behalf of the Derbyshire County Scout Council and is open to all members of the Scout and Guide Associations, subject to the various trophy categories. The Kinder Walk itself is approximately 29km and the Kinder Challenge (new for 2008) is around 16km. The Walk is aimed at older Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Guides and members of Scout Network. It is a challenge of map reading and stamina in this exciting and rugged area of the Peak District. The walk is a team event – for teams of between 2 and 5, see Categories and eligibility for details. Times vary between 3 and 8 hours, maybe this will be the year to break the record and yours could be the team to do it!!

The 2007 Event

The 2007 event saw an increased field of competitors.
We had 37 teams start the event, an increase on previous years.

Blakedown 'B' team achieved a record time of 2 hours 49 minutes. (see picture of them arriving in 2007 Photo Gallery). We were blessed with ideal weather conditions and all who entered appeared to enjoy the day - well done to all those who competed.

For 2008, we will be introducing the Kinder Challenge - a circular walk of around 16 Km from Chapel-en-le-Frith. This is aimed at the Scout section and the younger end of Explorers - as a taster for walking competitions in this area of the Peak District.

My thanks are extended to all those who helped on the event and hope to see them back again in 2008

Dave MacAlister
Chairman
 

The Next Event

Date for the 2008 Walk is Sunday 14th September

The 2008 information book is now available by clicking here.

History

The first competition was held in October 1967 for the newly formed section of Venture Scouting. It was organised by the then Blagreaves Venture Scout Unit for Venture Unit teams from the Derby Area, there were a total of seven teams took part with the winning team being Derwent VSU in a time of 7 hours 56 minutes. The route was a circular one of 26 miles starting and finishing at Chapel en le Frith by way of Edale, Kinder, Hayfield, Buxworth and Combs. The weather for this first event was rain, rain and more rain!! The entry increased in 1968 to eleven teams with entries invited from beyond Derby, even one team from Huddersfield. Winners that year were Derwent 'B' team in a time of 9 hours 31.

In the early years the route was not disclosed until the day of the walk, a different route being used each year. After a lapse of two years the event was resurrected in 1993 using basically the same route we have today. Over the years the trophy categories and their eligibilities have changed, the current categories reflecting the changes in age ranges in the Scout Association.