How you can help

Can you help us to build a national network of rail walks? Our plan will proceed in several phases.  In this first phase you can help in four ways:

1) Add new walks from or between stations (see the walks submitted so far)

• If you can record a gpx file (see explanation below*) please record new walks following these criteria. Then please upload them using the form on this page.  (You will need a Google account to do this.)
  
  

• The form will ask you the following:

  • Whether this is a coastal walk (we are showing these on our coastal pages)

  • Whether you are doing this on behalf of an organisation

  • To upload a gpx file*  This should be named: startstation-endstation-yourname.gpx.

  • A short summary description and:

  • A longer description (unless you have entered a URL on an organisation's website)
    
    

• You should also take photographs of the route - but keep them somewhere safe for now.  You will be able to upload them in the next phase, when we are given access to the new system under development by Slow Ways.

2) Sign up and contribute to Slow Ways

• Please sign up to Slow Ways using this link.  This will identify you as a railwalks user.  (If you are already registered with Slow Ways, please go to your profile, scroll down to Affiliations and enter 'Railwalks' in the first box.)
  
  

• Slow Ways is building a network of walks between settlements.  Some of those settlements are already centred on railway stations.  People have already created and uploaded walks between those stations (see this map), but many of them need to be 'verified' and then 'surveyed'.  You can read how you can contribute to that process on Slow Ways' 'How To' page.

3) Help With Our Running Costs

We are all volunteers.  We are running this show on a bit of a shoestring, but we do have some ongoing costs, particularly to run the website and email list.  Any financial contributions would be very welcome.  Please see how to donate here.

4) Work from Home

We also need help in other ways, which don't involve walking, but might involve using a computer.  Please email mail@railwalks.co.uk if you have some spare time and would like to offer some help.

5) Spread the Word

Please spread the word on social media and encourage more people to join our mailing list.  You will find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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* What is a gpx file? See this explanation from Ordnance Survey.  You can record and download gpx files using a mapping app such as: OS Maps, OutdoorActive, Komoot or AllTrails.  This video shows how to record a route using OS Maps.  You can then download your route as a gpx file (in the premium version of OS Maps, or in the free version of Outdooractive using a computer.)

If you have any queries, please email mail@railwalks.co.uk  Thank you for your help!