Q1. May I walk with the Wee Binnians next Sunday even if I’m not a member? Can I just turn up?
Yes, you can just arrive and walk if you are fit enough and properly kitted out. Non members can participate in up to two walks in any year as a casual walker without becoming a member, after which you must join the club to continue walking with us. Please read our sections on Fitness and Walk information page.
Q2. The WALKS programme shows only one walk with a starting location. Are there other walks?
We provide four walks on the same day from the same starting point which take different routes depending on the grade. They are A, B+,B and C. New walkers are advised to go on the C walk.
Q3. What do the different groups mean (A B C)?
These are grades of walk in terms of speed, height gained, distance covered and effort required. ‘A’ is the hardest and ‘C’ the easiest. All groups climb mountains. Newcomers are advised to start in the C group.
Q4. Where do the walks start from?
Walks start and finish at the car park indicated in the walks programme.
Q5. When are the walks on ?
The walks are on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Please click on Walks Programme for details.
Q6. Can I become a member – how do I join?
Yes, membership is open and costs £25 or €30 per annum from 1st April to 31st March. Download, print and complete the application form below and apply to the Membership Secretary(s). Details are available from our Who’s Who section.
Q7. Will I be welcome?
Yes. This is the ‘Social Club that Walks’. The aim of the club is to promote hill walking as a healthy and leisurely pursuit that can be enjoyed by everyone without distinction of age, gender, race or political, religious or other opinion. People join for various reasons; love of the outdoors, to get exercise or to meet people.
Q8. Will I be fit enough?
If you have climbed a full mountain in the recent past, you should be fit enough for our ‘C’ Group. If you have never climbed a mountain before, then please click on Fitness and refer to our Fitness Programme.
Q9. How long do the walks last?
The walks vary but usually last 4½ to 5 hours. Occasionally, depending upon the grade of the walk or the weather, the walk could be as long as 6½ hours or as short as 3½ hours. Members usually go to a designated hostelry for refreshments after the walk at 16:00 or 17:00.
Q10. What all do I need to bring?
You must have: Walking Boots – Raincoat and Waterproof Leggings – Adequate clothing (layers are the best option) – Hat – Gloves – Packed lunch and at least 1 litre water. (The Walk Leader can refuse to allow you on the walk if you don’t have the basics). Click on Safety Information for details.
Q11. Where do you walk?
Most of the walks are in the Mourne Mountains, with some in the Cooley Mountains and occasionally further afield. See Below.
Q12. Are there trips abroad?
Yes, a number of trips are arranged each year. These are to other parts of Ireland, England, or Wales. You must be a paid up member to go on a trip and priority is given, if necessary, to existing members.
Q13 How hard are the walks?
Our walks are over mountains and are much harder than flat walking. Please click on Walks Classification for details.
Q14. Is there an easy walk and what about flat walks?
No sorry, this is a Hill Walking Club. Our lowest grade of walk ‘C Group’ requires you to climb in excess of 700 metres over a distance of 10km.
Q15. I am preparing for a significant charity walk. Will walking with the club give me suitable training?
No, although membership is open; the club is not a training facility for charity walks.
Q16. Can I join at the start point of the walk or must I to travel to Newry just to travel back to Newcastle again?
You may go directly to the start of the walk.
Q17. Could anyone give me a lift?
The club does not arrange transport but members may share transport from their own starting location.
Q18. Can I bring my children?
No. Membership is limited to those of 18 years of age or older.
Q19. Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs can be a nuisance in walking groups and are not welcomed by farmers and landowners. In fact, dogs are unwelcome on mountains generally.
Q20. When is the Wee Binnian Walkers Festival on?
The club runs an annual walking festival on during the month of September each year – Fri 1pm to Sun evening. Walks are graded and are held in the Mournes and Cooley areas and include a historic Smugglers Route. You can pre-register with the Club Secretary or Register on the day of the walk. A highlight of the festival is our hugely successful ‘Blister Ball’. The festival brochure is available for download from the website or facebook or Email info@weebinnians.com if that fails to answer your questions.
Q21. Do the Wee Binnian Walkers Privacy Notice?
Please click HERE to read The Wee Binnian’s Privacy notice.
Q22. How can physical activity improve my health?“
There are enormous benefits to be gained from this simple exercise. Studies for example have shown that it reduces the risk of dying from coronary heart disease or of developing high blood pressure. It also protects against the risk of bowel cancer or adult onset diabetes.
As well as this regular exercise is good for our mental health by improving our mood, preventing depression and feelings of anxiety and increasing our general well-being. It leads to better sleep patterns and even looking better.
Hill walking & health benefits
By getting involved as well in regular hill walking there are a number of specific additional benefits such as: Improved muscle tone.
– Less risk of back pain
– Reduced risk of arthritis
– Better digestion
– Improved circulation
– Stronger respiratory system
– Enhanced posture
Finally, hill walking especially with the Wee Binnians, is very sociable and really good fun. So we would encourage anyone to give it a go.