Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society

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Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society.

Newcomers to the area, prospective new members and visitors are very welcome to join us for walks in these delightfully varied parts of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Our walks normally take place in an area of wonderfully contrasting scenery , from the New Forest to the rolling chalk downlands and coastline of Dorset and the rural landscapes of southern Wiltshire.

Background

The Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society was formed in 1974 to protect the interests of users of public paths by ensuring (a) their reasonable maintenance and freedom from obstruction  and (b) their adequate signposting and waymarking. It aims to urge local authorities to discharge their responsibilities with regard to public paths and seeks to foster and maintain friendly cooperation between path users, landowners, local authorities and the community generally.

The Society's area is made up of thirteen parishes and covers about 160 square kilometres of greatly varied countryside ranging from quiet water meadows to high wind-blown common, from the edge of the New Forest to the borders of Cranborne Chase. A variety of flora and fauna including deer may be seen and within the new forest, grazing ponies, cattle, donkeys, sheep and pigs may be met.

Although we are essentially a footpath protection organisation, we believe that the best way of maintaining the network in good order is to make good and regular use of it.

Programme

The Society provides a comprehensive programme of guided walks and social events throughout the year.

In Winter, midweek morning walks start at 10.30am and are usually of about 4 miles duration.

In the Summer, the midweek walks are held in the evening and commence at 6.30pm.

Longer walks are undertaken on a Sunday and are normally between 8 - 10 miles in length.

Various other social events are arranged in both the winter and summer months.

Because of the requirements laid down by the Society's insurers, dogs, while often welcome on our walks,do have to be kept under control at all times. Walk leaders  may request  that they are kept on a lead.

Waymark

           

"Waymark" is the quarterly newsletter of the RFFS. It is published in March, June, September and December.

Click on the "Holiday 2008" button for photographs of this year's Chairma's Walking Holiday which was based in the Crantock Bay Hotel near Newquay, Cornwall.

Contact RFFS