Open Gold Walking Expeditions

Exhilarating Gold Expeditions!

In order to complete your Gold Walking Expedition you first need to complete a programme of training followed by sufficient practice expeditions to hone your skills. Once you have completed all of your training you then need to plan and undertake a 4 day qualifying expedition.

Participants walking down a steep mountain in the Brecon Beacons

Gold DofE Training & Practice Expeditions

  • 5 day, Gold DofE Training & Practice Expedition
  • 2 days Expedition Training & Route Planning
  • 3 day Practice Expedition
  • Location – Black Mountains
  • First Night in a bunkhouse included.
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  • Training & Practice Expedition Dates
  • Sunday 13th – Thursday 17th April
  • Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st May
  • Sunday 20th – Thursday 24th July
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  • Cost £275
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Gold DofE Qualifying Expeditions

  • Structure of our 5 day, Gold DofE Qualifying Expeditions
  • 1 day Expedition preparation & Route Planning
  • 4 day Assessed Expedition
  • Location – Brecon Beacons
  • First night in a bunkhouse included.
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  • Qualifying Expedition Dates
  • Sunday 27th – Thursday 31st July
  • Monday 25th – Friday 29th August
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  • Cost £275
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Cost breakdown

  • £275 per expedition.The cost to attend both expeditions is £550.

A deposit of £100 is due when you book; the remaining balance is due 28 days before your expedition.

‘I remember a young student from London, who joined one of our Open Gold Practice Expeditions in South Wales, having never been outside the M25. He struggled physically and mentally but didn’t give up. Our instructors worked hard to help him gain the necessary skills and at the end gave him a personalised action plan to work on before the qualifying. The young man who returned for his assessment later that year was a changed person. He had worked on his fitness, practiced his expedition skills and was brimming with confidence. It sticks with me, because this is what DofE is all about’.
Zoe McleanFounder & Manager of A to Z Expeditions.

Thank you A to Z Expeditions

“The instructors really took the lead for the weekend. I was confident in their capability in dealing with the participants, some of whom had some very specific medical issues which were catered for.”

Fantastic Instructors(EM)

“Thank you for everything, the instructors were brilliant. I can see why A to Z is so popular and why you come so highly recommended”

Everything was brilliant!A happy parent

“Communication from AtoZ was excellent. They were very good at providing me with advice and helping me out. This all made my job so much easier!”

Excellent Communication from AtoZ Expeditions(TS)

“THANK YOU and your team for what can only be described as the best of my Six DofE EXPEDITIONS!”

The best expedition yet!A happy participant

“Thank you for all your work and time. I will always recommend you guys to anyone wishing to complete any of the expeditions”

You are the bestA happy participant

“They have the participant at the centre of their customer relations”

Participants at the centre of everything(MR) School DofE Co-ordinator

What we include

Pre-expedition information pack with lots of helpful advice, kit lists etc.

Bunkhouse accommodation for the first 2 nights.

Camping fees for the other nights.

Free use of group kit.

Supervision from experienced and helpful instructors.

Accredited Assessors for the qualifying expedition.

Group Kit

We provide the following essential group kit free of charge:

Tents

Stoves, pans and fuel

Group tracking device

Group shelters

Group first aid kits

Maps

Walking locations

All of our Open Gold Walking expeditions take place in and around the Brecon Beacons national park. This is a great location for DofE expeditions, the start and finish points are easily accessible by public transport, yet you will be walking in an area which is wild and remote.

Our training and practice expeditions are usually delivered in the Eastern area of the Brecon Beacons known as the Black Mountains with the Qualifying expeditions taking place in the central and western part of the Brecon Beacons. This means that you can do both practice and qualifying expeditions with us, without fear of repeating any of the route you have already walked. This is an important requirement at Gold level, set by DofE HQ. If you would like to read more about the other requirements that all DofE Expeditions must meet, click here.

Great Locations
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Brecon Beacons

More open expeditions

Useful FAQ’s

Bronze Walking
Silver Walking

DofE expeditions are supposed to be challenging, so you will find it hard. You may even feel like giving up at some point during your expedition. But you will have your team mates to encourage and help you get through, and at the end the sense of achievement and good memories will definitely outweigh the low points.

We bring a small stock of spare kit to each expedition, so if you forget something your instructor may be able to help. Alternatively you may be able to visit a shop before you start. However you will not be able to take part unless you are properly equipped.

In order to safely take part in an expedition you must have proper walking boots. These must have soles with good grips and they must come above the ankle.

You will be carrying a heavy load during the expedition so in order to prevent injury, your ankles will need extra support from your walking boots.

If you do not have proper walking boots you will not be able to take part.

No – payments are non-refundable.   We therefore recommend that you take out insurance to cover you for cancellation or curtailment. Suitable travel insurance policies are widely available.

DofE FAQ’s

Like what you have read?

Book your Open Expedition by completing our simple booking form. You will not be required to pay anything at this initial stage, and a member of our team will contact you shortly.

Get more information

If you have any questions or would like more information before booking, please get in touch.

Call: 01981 550 433
Email: info@azexpeditions.com