Welcome to Heart of England LDWA

The BCC 2026 will be on the 2nd of August. SiEntries are open (click here)

The MMM 2026 will be on the 20th of June. This event is now full. Click here for 2026 Route descriptions and gpx Files

The Forest Marathon will take place on the 26th September 2026 - Watch this space!

BCC 2025 Results    MMM 2026 Results

About Us

Heart of England LDWA was founded in 1996. We have recently expanded to include friends from Gloucestershire and Bristol. We now have a membership of over 700 members. We are passionate about walking, exploring the beautiful West Midlands, the Cotswolds and surrounding countryside, and enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded individuals. To see what we've been up to, why not view our gallery.

Group Social Walks

Our weekend group walks average 20 miles in length, sometimes longer depending on the time of year and available daylight hours. Starting from within about a 1-hour drive from Birmingham, these walks take you through a wide variety of scenery and countryside. They typically last about eight hours, so be sure to carry enough food and drink to last the day. We also organize occasional weekends away in the UK. Details of all our walks and events can be found under Our Walks.

The average pace of our walks is between 2.5 to 3 miles per hour. Whether you’re an LDWA member or a non-member, you’ll receive a warm welcome and have a great day’s walking with us. Feel free to join in the conversation or simply enjoy the company as you prefer.

You can view pictures and see the gpx files for all our recent walks by going to latest news at the top of the page.

If you’re apprehensive about your ability to keep pace with the group or to cover the entire distance, our Getting Started page has guidance designed to reassure and prepare you for the adventure ahead. Please take a moment to explore the resources – they’re crafted to help you embark on this journey with assurance and enthusiasm.

Non-members considering joining the LDWA are welcome to come along for a couple of walks on a trial basis.

We look forward to walking with you!

If you would like to be kept up to date about extra walks and see what has been going on within our group, then we have a WhatsApp group which will tell you what you want to know. Contact - Heartofengland.secretary@ldwa.org.uk - if you would like to be included in this group.

Challenge Events

Heart of England LDWA usually organises two Challenge Walks throughout the year. This year there will be an additional challenge, in September, called the Forest Marathon. These routes have defined checkpoints and completion time limits. The Malvern Midsummer Marathon (FAQs about the MMM) usually takes place in June, and the Birmingham Canal Canter in August. We also support The A Coventry Way and the Hallow 12 Parish challenge.

Entry fees for LDWA Challenge Walks cover route descriptions, refreshments at checkpoints, and certificates for all participants. For more details and entry forms, visit Our Challenge Walks page with links to the SiEntries website for registration and payment.

Governance

Our group is run by a committee of dedicated volunteers. You can find details about our Heart of England LDWA Committee Members here.

The Heart of England LDWA AGM is held in December, and the Heart of England LDWA Committee and AGM minutes can be read here.

The Heart of England LDWA Constitution may be found here.