FAQs

Guided Hikes and Wildlife Walks

Travel

  • Wendover Loop
    Wendover, Buckinghamshire

    10am outside Wendover train station

    Balcombe Loop
    Balcombe, West Sussex

    10am outside Balcombe train station.

    Epping Forest Walk
    Epping Forest, Essex

    10am outside Epping tube station

  • Wendover Loop
    Wendover, Buckinghamshire

    Circular route returning to Wendover  around 3:30pm.


    Balcombe Loop
    Balcombe, West Sussex

    A circular route, returning to Balcombe at around 4:30pm.


    Epping Forest Walk
    Epping Forest, Essex

    A walk through, ending at Chingford station at around 3:30pm.

  • Yes! Each location has been picked due to its accessibility from London by train.

    • The Wendover Loop - Wendover Train Station (Metropolitan line to Amersham, then two stops on train, or Chiltern Rail from Marylebone)

    • The Balcombe Loop - Balcombe Train Station (Regular trains from London Bridge Station)

    • The Epping Forest Walk - Epping Tube station (Central Line) to Chingford Tube Station (Weaver Line)

  • You'll find car parks at and around the train stations where we will be meeting. Please check online for parking charges.

    Another site to look for parking is Just Park.

    We encourage car sharing on this adventure, so if you are driving and would like to offer a space in your car to another guest, this can be arranged via our WhatsApp group. 

  • Once we have reached minimum numbers you and the other guests on your hike will receive a WhatsApp group invitation. From there you can coordinate with other hikers to arrange travel together. 

Dates and Timings

  • Sunday 8 June - Wendover Loop

    Saturday 21 June - Epping Forest

    Saturday 28 June - Balcombe Loop

  • Sunday 6 July - Epping Forest

    Sunday 13 July - Wendover Loop

    Saturday 19 July - Balcombe Loop

  • Sunday 3 August - Wendover Loop

    More dates TBC

Activity

  • Absolutely! These hikes are created for anyone who loves being in the outdoors, you just need to be happy walking approximately 15-17km over a day. 

  • Yes!  If you’re a keen walker, you’ll enjoy these routes. 

  • You just need to be happy walking between 15-17 km at about 3-4 km an hour. There will be plenty of breaks too!

  • British summertime likes to keep us on our toes, so please arrive dressed for the activity and the weather. 

    • Sportswear like leggings, or hiking trousers / shorts and wicking t-shirts

    • Clothes without heavy seams that won’t rub and will dry quickly if it gets wet

    • Layers you can take on and off throughout the day 

    • Walking shoes / hiking boots or trainers with good support and grip (not Converse!)*

    • Raincoat

    * We highly recommend hiking boots or shoes for your safety and comfort when walking. 

    If you do choose to wear trainers, please make sure they are supportive and have good grip. You will not be allowed to join if you wear Converse or plimsole style shoes. 

    • Packed lunch and snacks

    • Sun hat

    • Sunglasses

    • Waterproof jacket

    • Sunscreen

    • Water bottle or water reservoir (1L at least)

    • Any medication needed

    • Plasters/blister plasters (just in case)

    • Money for drinks/cake

    • Compact seating pad to sit on during breaks (optional)

    • Hiking poles (optional)

    • Backpack to carry it all!

  • We love dogs, but unfortunately, they are not allowed on our guided hikes.

Food and facilities

  • All Gutsy Girls events are for over 18s only.

  • Never! Our trips welcome adventurous women of all ages, from 18 to 70+. Most guests are in their 30s and 40s, but it’s your mindset—not your birth year—that matters.

  • Definitely! The vast majority of guests come solo to our events and retreats.

    Our aim is to connect you with like-minded new friends! We are a very friendly bunch, come as you are, we can’t wait to meet you!

  • Please bring a packed lunch and some snacks to keep you going for the day. There might also be the opportunity to buy extra drinks and snacks along the route.

  • Please only bring what you’ll need for the hike and what you can carry in your backpack as there is nowhere to leave extra belongings and valuables.

  • There will be limited toilet facilities on these hikes.

    We have toilets at the start point and finish point at the train station and there may be opportunities to use bathrooms in local pubs or cafes. Otherwise nature will provide the facilities! 

  • Please leave the weather watching to us! 

    Our guides will be monitoring the weather conditions in the lead up to your session and we will be in touch if we need to cancel. (Please also see "What if it rains"!) 

  • Please contact the Gutsy Girls WhatsApp group you'll have been invited to. We will try to accommodate you but we need to be fair to the group and we cannot guarantee we will be able to wait for you.

  • Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides on our day events and trips, however we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available!

    We work with the best guides available—male or female. While we champion women in the industry, our priority is ensuring the safest and most enriching experience for our guests.

Cancellation

  • To cancel your booking, just email us with your name, the trip you booked, and the scheduled date. Please note, we can’t offer refunds or rescheduling as we commit to our partners in advance with each booking.

  • We do not offer rescheduling for these trips. Unless the trip is cancelled by us, it will run regardless of the weather.

  • You'll see our full booking terms and conditions here.

  • We walk come rain or shine!  

    Whilst we hope the weather is kind to us, British weather is unpredictable. We will still walk in the rain, so please pack a raincoat if the forecast is wet. 

    If the weather conditions are unsafe, we will notify you as soon as possible to rearrange your adventure.  Make sure your travel tickets are flexible in the rare instances this happens. 

  • Please check your spam folders before contacting us. Hotmail in particular likes to put our emails in junk mail. You'll need to add bookings@gutsygirls.co.uk to your safe list.