Happy Wanderers Paphos 

Members and guests are responsible for the following:

• Footwear. It is essential to wear either hiking boots or strong walking shoes due to the terrain that may be covered. Sandals and trainers are not acceptable for safety reasons.
   
• Water. It is essential to avoid dehydration. Adequate water should always be carried — a minimum of 2 litres especially in the Summer months. More Information can be found under the Tab - Rehydration
   
• Environment. Please ensure that you leave no litter behind, and that you take no green souvenirs.
   
• Smoking on Walks. Smoking is strictly forbidden in all walking environments due to acute fire risk.
   
• Dogs and other pets are not allowed on walks.
   
• Children. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walks. If any children are accepted as guests they are the sponsoring member’s responsibility.
   
• Personal Safety. Walkers are advised to carry a first aid kit and a whistle. All walkers must carry an emergency contact card which includes details of the person to be contacted in the case of an emergency, date of birth and any special medical information, including medication taken.
   
• Liability. All members and guests participate in walks entirely at their own risk.
   
• Keeping Together. Walkers are required to follow the instructions of the Walk Leader. They should not deviate from the route or take short cuts. If a walker has to leave the planned route for any reason, they must inform the Leader or Back-Marker. Be aware of personal safety and the safety of those around you.
   
• Visual Contact. Walkers should always maintain visual contact with those in front and behind. When the group makes a turn, be sure that those behind you are aware of this.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE HAPPY WANDERERS PAPHOS

The Happy Wanderers aim to offer three day walks almost every Wednesday from October to the end of May, graded for different levels of ability. During the hottest months, June to the end of September,  we aim to offer one mixed ability walk in the evening when it is cooler.

We would not be able to do this without the support of our members, who volunteer to organise and lead walks, act as back-markers, and arrange drinks/meals after walking. Every walking member is normally expected to lead at least one walk a year, or if they are unable to lead, help out with at least one walk, by volunteering as day organiser, arranging a taverna, recruiting walk leaders, and/or acting as back-marker. We do understand that there may be exceptional circumstances that prevent some members participating as fully as they might wish.
We appreciate that leading a walk can initially seem a daunting challenge. Our experienced walk leaders are happy to help and mentor new members and any first-time leaders, to learn how do this and gain experience. Advice and resources are also available on our website, including a library of walk
routes.

WALKS ORGANISER OF THE DAY

 The organiser of the day recruits walk leaders (with the help of the Steering Group if necessary) and usually leads one of the walks themselves. The organiser is not expected to plan, recce or know all three walks, although this is very useful. Each walk leader can be left to plan their own walk, although less experienced leaders may need help with this.
The Organiser of the Day is responsible for the following:

• Selecting the location to start and finish the walks. ensuring that there is sufficient space for parking.
• Selecting a taverna for refreshments afterwards and informing the taverna staff  (you can get someone else to take care of this, so long as it’s done).
• Liaising with the other walk leaders, composing email directions to the meeting point, and sending these, with details of the walks to grouphwpaphos@gmail.com by the Saturday before the walk. Details usually include the walk length, approximate ascent, and a note on any particular challenges such as steep hills, loose rocks, crossing of streams etc. and finally, which taverna is being used for refreshments afterwards.
• Liaise with the other walk leaders if the weather conditions seem unfavourable and cancel the walks ASAP if necessary so that a Cancellation Notice can be sent out at least two hours before the start of the walk.
• Pre-walk talk: Introduce the leaders and back-markers. Remind participants where the drinks will be.

WALK LEADERS'S AND BACK MARKER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

• The walk leader should be supported by a back-marker who knows the route, and can inform the leader if they miss a turn. 
• The back-marker’s main role is to ensure that no-one gets lost or left behind. This includes counting the number of walkers as the walk starts, after each drink stop, and after lunch.
• They should monitor the safe return of anyone who has stopped for a "comfort break", especially if there is a divide in the track, in order to ensure that the wrong path is not taken. 
• They must inform the walk leader if the pace is too fast for the slowest walker. 
• They should encourage and support anyone who is having difficulties with the walk.
• They should  be able to help in case anyone is unable to continue with the walk e.g. by going to fetch a car.

WALKS

 Winter Walks
Long – Distance approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles).
Medium – Distance approximately 13 kilometres (8 miles).
Short – Distance approximately 9.5 kilometres (6 miles).
Summer Walks
From June to end of September there will usually be one walk, lasting about 2-½ hours, each Wednesday starting at 5pm unless otherwise notified.

These distances are for guidance and due consideration should be given to the prevailing terrain and climatic
conditions.

GUEST WALKERS

Guest Walkers may be invited by a member or may contact us via the website. Guests names must be notified to the relevant Group Member by no later than 6pm on the Monday before the walk. A sponsoring member is required to accompany each guest on their walk, and to stay with them if they are unable to complete the route. First time guests may not join the long walk. 

SAFETY ADVICE

 First Aid Kit. Each walker should carry their own First Aid Kit.
 Whistles. It is recommended to carry a whistle, to attract attention in case of an emergency.
Please carry the following details with you in case of emergency:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Medical conditions and medication regularly taken.
• Name and phone number of an emergency contact.

NOTES
 Note 1: To be considered members of HWP P3A, you would need to complete 4 walks and be a member of the P3A in the membership year.  
 Note 2: The walking programme is available on the website www.happywandererspaphos.org
 Note 3: During the year, social events, day outings and extended walking excursions may be arranged.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Emergency Numbers:
European Medical Emergency 112
Police/Fire/Ambulance 199
Forest Fire 1407
Rescue Coordination Centre 1441
 
Nicosia General Hospital: 22 801400 / 22 801475 (Accidents and emergencies)
 
Paphos General Hospital: 26 803260 / 26 306100
 
Limassol General Hospital: 25 801100 / 25 305770
 
Larnaca General Hospital: 24 800500 / 24 800369
 
Polis General Hospital: 26 321431
 
Kyperounta Hospital: 25 532021
 
Agros Hospital: 25 521317