We have a wonderful mix of dedicated and experienced walk leaders who give up their time to lead us every week. The focus is always on well being and ensuring that everyone who walks with us gets something out of the day.
All our walk leaders are trained in Outdoor First Aid and Navigation Skills and have many hours of leading groups of walkers.
If you would like to become a Walk Leader or simply lead a walk under our supervision, please contact us via WhatsApp for more information.
Please read our Guidance & Rules for more information.
Adrian Horton
Adrian set up Sowerby Walkers and Ramblers in December 2022 to explore the countryside in Calderdale, to improve fitness and to meet and walk with other enthusiastic walkers.
Adrian has led many walks for us and has climbed hills and mountains all over the UK and loves the thrill of getting to the top of a mountain.
Being fitter as we get older is really important and after trying the gym, running and cycling, walking is now his way of relaxing and getting the exercise he needs.
Adrian works in the automotive industry working for a vehicle leasing company. He is also Chair of environmental charity Slow The Flow as well as being a local Flood Warden.
Karen
Karen’s dad & step mum introduced her to walking in the Lake District from the young age of 5.
She has been walking the local area for nearly 20 years & knows most of the paths from Mytholmroyd.
Karen has lead plenty of walks for us and has a passion for nature, especially birds. She loves the outdoor life and enjoys weekends away in the Yorkshire Dales & Lake District.
After joining Sowerby Walkers in January 2022 she decided to set up a neighbouring walking group “Royd Walking Friends” a faster evening walk which is mainly for fitness.
Karen works at an outdoor clothing shop in Hebden Bridge.
Amelie – Walk leader for Amelie’s Ambles
Amelie has enjoyed walking for decades but the discovery of walking apps gave her confidence to explore new paths and routes through the beautiful local countryside.
The next step was to start sharing these walks with others. She’s heading towards retirement and life naturally takes a slower pace. It’s time to smell the roses and admire the views.
Her walks are slower and shorter than the faster group and usually include woods, fields and open land. They include some degree of challenge, be it steepness, scrambling or uneven paths so they’re not always easy.
It’s the challenge that makes them interesting though. She believes we all need a little bit of ’stretch out of our comfort zone’ to keep us feeling lively and youthful.
Laughter helps too and during her walks that is seen as one of the best outcomes.
Steve
Steve has been walking in Yorkshire for over 50 years, since he first came on a walking holiday in Yorkshire with his school in London.
Now a long-distance walker, Steve leads our longer, more challenging walks which have proved to be ever so successful in encouraging walkers to stretch and push themselves.
Steve believes that there is no better feeling than seeing the look on people’s faces when they have met a challenge.
Sarah
Sarah has always had a love of the outdoors, so we were delighted when she discovered Sowerby Walkers & Ramblers in 2023 and has been regularly walking with us since.
As a mother of three and working as a carer, Sarah is a kind, thoughtful and caring member of the group. Always happy to chat, loves a laugh and a joke and will always look out for others.
Known for sharing her many photographs after each walk she became the unofficial group photographer, however as she is more often than not at the front of the group following the map, it made sense to make her an official walk leader.
Evette
Evette has been a walk leader with us since May 2024, and is now the leader of our “Speedies” group. She is often referred to as the “Goat” within the group for loving a fast hill climb and a scramble. Evette has a degree in Yoga, is a credited Spin and Aqua teacher and loves keeping fit and healthy. Evette has been walking for over 37 years, and first completed the Three Peaks and Snowdon in a pair of trainers and with only a bottle of water in hand! Also a keen runner, Evette started both running and walking to heal injuries and cope with bereavement. Having a great sense of adventure has lead her to spending many days walking and exploring local moorlands on her own.
Evette strongly advocates the benefits of walking for people with mental health illnesses, her working career is based within Mental Health and Dementia Care. Evette leads with care and safety and aims to bring a sense of fun and adventure to every walk, whilst ensuring we don’t lose anyone!
Jane
Jane has lived in Calderdale her whole life and has walked most of it.
Her Grandad introduced Jane to walking at a very young age as she loved being outdoors.
Jane has done the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge several times, the last time in 8 hours 40 minutes. She has also done the National 3 peaks challenge in 24 hrs, the Ullswater challenge of 26miles in 10hrs and Hadrians Wall of 96 miles in 4 days. She really is an accomplished walker.
Jane loves being involved with our walking group and looks forward to leading and walking many, many more walks with us.
Tony
Tony found a love for all things outdoors after visiting Ingleborough Hall with school several times as a teenager. He loves the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District. He is also a keen indoor and outdoor swimmer Tony joined Sowerby Walkers and Ramblers in 2024 trying to keep fit after giving up work having been a builder for forty years and wanting to go on many adventures. Tony recently fulfilled a lifetime dream of trekking to the top of Kilimanjaro. He walks with his faithful dog Coco, a Patterdale terrier, and is looking forward to leading walks locally and further afield and inspiring people to go that little bit further and fulfil their dreams.
Sowerby Walkers and Ramblers 