How trips will work on safety

You will be meeting people you do not know yet, outdoors, sometimes in winter. That needs rules decided before anyone meets. This is how Wayfellow trips will work from the first walk in November 2026.

Verified members

Every member will confirm a phone number and a photo before their first trip. Hosts will also verify their identity.

Start and end check-ins

You will check in when the walk starts and when it ends, and your trip plan will be shared with a trusted contact you choose. If you miss the end check-in, the host is alerted first and then your trusted contact.

Reliability counts

No-shows and late cancellations will lower a member's reliability score. A low score loses access to popular trips, and repeat no-shows will need to pay a deposit. A small group only works if people turn up.

Women-only and beginner trips

Some trips will be women-only and some will be for beginners only, so you can choose the group you are comfortable starting with. Tell us when you register if either interests you.

A code of conduct

Every member will agree to a written code of conduct: respect for each other, for the route and for the people who live and work on it. You will be able to report or block another member, and every report will be reviewed by a person. Any removal will be reviewed within 24 hours.

Easy routes, qualified leaders above that

Winter trips stay on easy lowland routes. Any trip above easy will be led by a qualified leader, and mountain or winter-hills trips only with a qualified leader.

Insurance

Public liability insurance will be in place before the first trip.

Your location stays private

Exact meeting points are shared only with the confirmed people on a trip, close to the day.

Walking carries risks you accept when you join a trip, set out in the draft trip terms. Questions about safety go to the FAQ.