Wander Walk

This 2 day/ 1 night walk allows for full immersion into the wonders and joys of walking. Wander with us for 27 miles of gorgeous walking on the Root River Trail in Southeastern, MN amongst the idyllic backdrop of the Root River Valley and the hospitality of our guides, hosts, and quaint towns along the trail. We will engage in rewilding practices and meditations designed to reconnect our tech-soaked, fast-paced lives with our core, nature-based selves.

Slow down, unplug, and reset your natural flow and pace.

Finding your natural pace – physically and mentally – brings a new, calming, and invigorating perspective: giving you a healthier, wider-view of life and how we can best balance the world we inhabit.

Your sole task is to walk – flourish, rejuvenate, reconnect, reinvent – and ours is to take care of the logistics. Worry free, tech-free, long-distance walking.

Wander Walk

Location: Root River Trail, Southeastern Minnesota. Houston, MN to Whalan, MN.

Walking Length: 28 miles – 2 Days/ 1 Night

Day 1: 14 Miles
Day 2: 14 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Next Walk Dates:

Summer 2022

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More Information

Food

Throughout the 2 days, food is catered, made fresh, or the group will have a meal at a local restaurant. Packed lunches and food provided at the campsite are included in the rates listed below. Walkers are responsible for covering the cost of food when we eat out. We will eat out for one breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner.

The highest quality food is essential for participants to remain strong and healthy for their walk. Alcohol is not provided (no license), however, participants are allowed to bring drinks with them or purchase them along the way. Dietary requirements will be taken into consideration wherever possible.

Packing List

A full packing list of suggested items will be sent to you upon registration.

Accommodation

Walkers have one of two options for accommodation. The first is having a bed in our specially made Bunk Bus. Please take a look at our Bunk Bus Video Tour! Each bunk area has a narrow twin spring mattress, outlet, light, and privacy curtain. Bedding and a towel is provided – you are more than welcome to bring your own. A small locker or drawer is provided for each participant to use for their belongings. The bus will also have air-conditioning when needed. There is a small kitchenette and seating area for relaxing and congregating.

In addition, we offer a limited amount of private tents that can accommodate one or two people. They will be furnished with a bed(s), electricity, a light, fan, and chair. These are taken down and set up each night and as such, will have an additional cost.

Health and Safety

Before you undertake a walk with Walking Space it is recommended that you consult your doctor and be sure you are in good health to walk 27 miles in 2 days.

It is important that you do some training before you walk so your body is not overwhelmed. A recommended training program will be given to you a month before your walk. Every person’s endurance is different and we want you to be strong and healthy for your walk.

One of the most important things you can do to have a happy and healthy walk is using comfortable and supportive shoes. Take some time to find the right pair and wear them before you come on your walk. New or ill-fited shoes are the number one cause of blisters.

One or two guides (depending on the size of the group) will be provided for each walk. All guides are First Aid and CPR trained. A first aid kit is available at stopping locations. One of the guides also carries a first aid kit and follows the group so when someone needs help they will come along to assist them.

Our guides are not medical professionals. In case of an emergency, 911 will be called.

All participants and guides are asked to adhere to the Code of Conduct. Please read through it and be sure you are able to uphold this policy as a participant.

Trail Difficulty

The majority of the trail is a converted railway and as such, is more or less level for the majority of the time. One short portions of the trail has some steeper inclines. The entire distance is paved allowing for safe, unobstructed walking. The trail weaves over the Root River, through valleys, quaint towns, and along bluffs providing an idyllic setting. Much of the trail is shaded by large trees, providing excellent protection on hot summer days.

FAQ

How many miles do we walk in a day?

We walk between about 13 miles a day.

What happens if I need to stop before I reach the stopping place for the day?

Throughout the walk during the day, a guide will make him/her/themself available to help. A vehicle is parked at various locations throughout the day, so if you need to rest, cool off, or be taken off the trail that is always an available option.

How does Walking Space take care of our phones and what happens in case of emergency?

At the start of the walk, any electronic devices and phones will be deposited into a safe/locked space on our Walking Space vehicles. Emergency contacts are gathered during registrations and will be contacted in case of emergency. The guide’s personal cell phone number and email will be given to participants prior to their walk to distribute to loved ones in case they need to be contacted. Any messages will be relayed as soon as possible.

Can I bring alcohol?

Walking Space is not allowed to provide alcohol (no liquor license) but you are allowed to bring alcohol or purchase it yourself on the trip. Excessive drinking or drunkenness is not encouraged and any threat to the safety of comfort of other guests will be taken seriously and may result in your dismissal.

Root River Trail Map

Cost

All of our rate options include the following:

2 days and 1 Night of fully supported walking
One breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner are included in the cost. All other meals will take place at a local restaurant and are paid for by the participant.
A Guide(s) for the duration of the walk
Various activities available for guests
Daily meditations and discussions on topics related to present-moment living, mindfulness, minimalism, tech-reliance, rewilding, etc.

Moving of participants belongings to next stopping location
Access to small kitchen area and lounge in the bespoke Bunk Bus
Access to campground shower and bathroom facilities
All bedding (sheet, comforter, pillow) and a towel
Camping equipment and accessories – i.e. campfire chair, lantern, etc
Transportation back to your vehicle at the end of the walk

Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policy

Deposit

A $50, nonrefundable, deposit is due upon registration for a Walking Space event. This is to secure your place on the walk and make the initial set-up for your time with us.

Remaining Balance

The remaining balance for your walk is due, at the latest, three weeks before the start date of your scheduled walk. If you have not paid, or have not made other arrangements to pay, your place on the walk may be given to another person on the waitlist.

Successful registrations made less than three weeks before an event will be invoiced to pay the full balance promptly.

Payment Processing

Payments are made through the Walking Space business account with PayPal. Customers do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal services to pay for their walk. Customers will be sent an invoice via email that contains a link to direct customers to PayPal for payments. Walking Space LLC does not collect credit card information. Credit Card information is processed through PayPal’s secure website and not given to Walking Space LLC.

Personal checks will be accepted up to three weeks before the event. If you would like to pay by personal check, please inform Walking Space when your invoice has been issued via email. Your participation in a Walking Space event is confirmed ONLY when your check has been successfully deposited. Personal checks will not be accepted less than three weeks before an event.

Refunds and Cancellation

The $50 deposit is non-refundable.

The remaining balance is fully refundable up to 30 days before your event.

50% of the remaining balance is refundable up to one week before your event or can be put toward a future Walking Space event.

One week before your scheduled event, no refund is available, as all arrangements will have been made for your participation.

COVID-19 Cancellation/ Refund Policy

COVID-19 Cancellation Policy Amendment:

We acknowledge these are uncertain times and we’re committed to getting you out on your transformaitonal walk. In light of all of the unknown, we’ve made some special amendments to our standard cancellation policy in an effort to accommodate the unknowns of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If we have to cancel a trip due to COVID restrictions on our operations; all guests would get a full refund or full credit.
Cancellations submitted via email due to qualifying COVID-19* circumstances:
- 30+ days before departure will have the choice of a full refund or rescheduling with no penalty.
- 29- 7 days before departure will get full credit of all funds paid towards a future trip.
- Inside of a week, will be subject to a $50 cancellation fee and all remaining funds will be available as a credit towards a future trip.

*Qualified COVID-19 Circumstances:

You are able to show a positive COVID-19 test result with your cancellation.
You are able to show you have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 person and are in quarantine
A state or federal travel ban prevents you from physically arriving for the tour. A state, federal, or other requirement to show a negative test on arrival does not count as a travel ban.

Any other cancellation request falls under our standard cancellation policy detailed in the above tab.

STANDARD RATE
• Bed in Bunk Bus
• Narrow, spring twin mattress
• Privacy Curtain
• Light
• Outlet for charging
• Drawer or locker for belongings
$165
STANDARD RATE PLUS $30

PRIVATE TENT SINGLE
• Private tent with bed, light, fan, chair and electricity.
• Bed is a superior twin air mattress
• Tent and furnishings are set up, taken down, and moved each day
$195
STANDARD RATE PLUS $30

PRIVATE TENT DOUBLE
• The rate includes two people
• Private tent with 2 beds, light, fan, 2 chairs and electricity.
• Beds are superior twin air mattresses
• Tent and furnishings are set up, taken down, and moved each day
$390
2 STANDARD RATES PLUS $60

SHUTTLE FROM ROCHESTER, MN AIRPORT: $50.00 EXTRA

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