Hiking Together: Finding Others to Hike With
Solo hikes are awesome. Group hikes are also awesome. They serve different purposes, and I love them both. If you are looking for people to hike with, here's some practical advice for finding and connecting with other like-minded hikers.
Why Hike With a Group?
Solo hikes can be awesome, giving you a chance to truly disconnect. But there are great reasons to hike with a group, too!
- Shared experience – Often, sharing the struggle on a steep climb, followed by the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of the beautiful sunset are amplified when the experience is shared with others.
- Friendship and camaraderie – Hiking with a group gives you time to get to know other like-minded outdoor-loving folk, and that can serve as the basis for new friendships, or strengthening bonds with existing friends.
- Safety – Hiking can be risky business. A twisted ankle in the backcountry when you are solo is much riskier than when you're with a group. And when hiking where mountain lions or bears are active, there is added safety in numbers.
- FUN! – Best of all, hiking with a group can be a lot of fun.
Your Responsibility Within The Group
Have you ever hiked with a group and met someone who was a “tourist” hiker? They don't know where they are going, or how to get back. They are just following “the group.”
Don't be a tourist hiker. Even when hiking with a group, be prepare to be self-sufficient. Know where you are going and how to get back.
- Share your itinerary with a friend or family member who will not be hiking
- Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your instincts
- Have a clear group plan, and do your part to follow it
- Be self-sufficient. Carry the 10 Essentials and know how to find your way back to the trailhead.
Finding Others to Hike With
There are lots of ways to find others to hike with. Here are some of the ways that have worked for me.
- Talk to friends and family – You might be surprised to find you already know folks who love to hike (or would love to give it a try). Start with something well within everyone's fitness level, and make it fun.
- Join a group event like the annual Climb for Heroes – Each year, The Heroes Project holds a fundraiser climb up Mount Baldy in Southern California. Events like this are a great way to hike with others, and meet other hikers who share your passion for the trail.
- Checkout Facebook Groups – There are hiking groups on Facebook. Some, like our ambassador CeCe's Hike Beyond the Hills in Southern California, organize group hikes. And there are similar groups in every region across the country.
- Join a Hiking Meetup Group – When I lived in south Orange County, I led group hikes with a group called Hiking OC. Years later, that group is still active. Meetup.com has hiking groups all over the country, and remains a great way to find and join group hikes.
- Online Communities like the forums here on Social Hiker provide an opportunity to connect with other hikers directly. And you can see their profile and hike logs to get a sense of their experience level.
- Other hiking clubs through church groups, and organizations like the Sierra Club can provide another excellent way to find people to hike with. I have friends who have gone through the Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course (WTC) and remain close hiking buddies with the class group.
Finally, we maintain a list of hiking groups and clubs in the areas where our challenges can be found.
Watch the recording of our March 2023 Hiker Connections Happy Hour
Each month we host a live Happy Hour, and this month, we were joined by the founders of several successful hiking groups, including CeCe Lorthioir, Six-Pack of Peaks ambassador and founder of Hike Beyond the Hills; Jonathan Flores who started Outdoor Adventures+; and Jose Delarosa, founder of Hiking Adventures for All (HAFA).
We talked about how and why they started their groups, shared advice for leading great group hikes, and had a few other group leads pop in to share their experience.
A few words of wisdom from our Happy Hour:
- Clear communication is key. Having clearly defined expectations on pace, meet points and safety are really important. HAFA has participants sign-in with an emergency contact number and shared an example of their sign-in form.
- Every hike is an educational opportunity. People new or returning to hiking might need to learn about Leave No Trace principles, navigation, or how to plan what to carry. Asking them questions to get them to think (and learn) is a great way to introduce these concepts.
- Be a good group member. Be sure to adhere to the expectations for a group, and be flexible. Group hikes are a different experience from solo adventures. Embrace the experience.
Watch the recording of our March 2022 livestream
Wrapping Up
One thing to keep in mind is that every group is a little different, and there are all sorts of hiking groups out there. You may need to try several before you find the right “fit” for you. But that group is out there!
Once you find a group (or groups) that you like, you'll end up making new hiking friends. And once you have your list of regular hiking friends, you may not need a “group” anymore. Our ambassador Karl uses an email list that he's curated through the years. When he's planning a hike, he sends out an invitation to his list of hiking friends.
What are some of the ways you've connected with other hikers? Let us know what's worked well for you in the comments.
I like to move pretty fast on hikes, and often run trails when possible. So I actually have found the best way to find people to hike with is at group runs! A lot of people at group trail runs usually hike too!
I also like to connect virtually with other hikers via places like social hiker, peakbagger, and through my own YouTube channel!
I join different Facebook hiking groups and Meetup to meet different people. Join hikes at different speed and find out their pace. Once you get to know them and find the ones that are around the same pace as myself, then we gather and hike together as a group.
Hiking with others can be a good mental therapy session also, as long as you are both on the same page.
I like hiking with people from other aspects of my life and talking with them in a different environment than we are used to. You get to know them much more that way.
I usually hike solo but I have been looking into groups to join. Also people sometimes will see my posts and ask to join me on a hike.
Me :=)
I love hiking with a group, but there’s an upper limit, for sure! I worry too much about people getting separated, or not keeping the pace, either way! I find four to be my ideal group size.
I have found groups through facebook, meetup.com, and through word of mouth. My husband and I hike together and will occasionally join groups hikes; however, we like the solitude of hiking together without the chatter that large groups create. We enjoy a slower pace taking pictures and being mindful of nature.
I enjoy hiking without the distraction of phones. I find it to be peaceful and once in awhile you’ll get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an animal in their natural habitat.
I was inspired by seeing somebody else do the six pack of peaks last year. I was trying to hike at least once a month and on one of my hikes with a friend I happen to mention the challenge. She told me she would be interested. Since then, I’ve posted our different hikes on Facebook and other people have wanted to join. I have also joined different Facebook groups and would love to do hikes with some of the people I see there.
I am am Ambassador for HikerBabes, and love hiking with women passionate about hiking!
I usually hike alone, but one way I have met other hikers is through charity hikes. Make-A-Wish as the Trailblaze Challenge at a few chapters around the country, and soon I’ll be doing some hikes with the Lockwood Foundation that helps give trail access to disabled people.
I’ve loved connecting with people right here on Social Hiker and saying hello out on the trails! I otherwise have been asking around when I meet new people on campus — it’s always great to discover a new like-minded colleague!
I hike at a moderate pace enjoying the views all along and capturing different landscapes. I connect with people on the hikes and through socal hiker community on Instagram and Facebook.
I don’t mind hiking solo, but my best experience has been with other HiKeRs. I have connected with other HiKeRs through word of mouth, emails, and text messages to friends.
Great advice. Thank you
Great suggestion. Thanks
Fantastic
Yesterday was third time hike with a group and I love it
I send a big ‘ol group text and round up my friends!
I hike with my spouse, a built in partner. Thankfully our hiking styles are similar. I would have anxiety about hiking with folks I don’t know due to different pacing and knowing my own limits.
I used to hike solo or with my dog/s. Now I have my hiking bestie Amy, and we are very excited to do be part of the 2023 6 Peaks Challenge!
I belong to numerous fb hiking groups and also to a couple of Meetup hiking groups.
I use Meetup. It’s easy to find similar hikers and group hikes in your area.
I enjoy hiking with my Meetup group and having the common goal of a six-pack peak challenge. This is the second year of doing the challenge with our group.
I created my own Facebook group for hiking. Mostly because people would see my pictures and then ask me to invite them next time. The group saved me the hassle of a bunch of invites and eventually strangers and friends of friends started joining the group and the hikes!
My primary way to communicate with hikers is by email, and preferred way is face-to-face on the trail 🙂
I have a friend/ prior coworker that I started a weight loss journey with. After we completed a weight loss program, we wanted to find a healthy and fun way to keep the weight off and set a new achievable goal, so we signed up for this challenge! There is nothing like having a hiking partner that is just as motivated as you with the same goals and mission in mind.
The Meetup group San Diego Ladies Hiking, Walking & More! are doing the 6-Peak Challenge allowing for a way to hook up with other hiking enthusiasts.
I’m new to the area so I have only developed a very small list of hiking friends so far, but I’ve found each of them by talking about the Six Pack of Peaks and inviting them to join me. Win – win!
Im excited to start group hikes!
I enjoy hiking in small groups, especially when we all have around the same level of experience.
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I am an active senior looking for another active senior to go hiking with.
I am, too!
I used to hike solo a lot, especially when I lived in the east, but now that I’m older I live in a small AZ town in the midst of Tonto National Forest and I’m hesitant to hike alone. I simply am not as mobile as I once was and if I fell and broke a bone here I might never be found! Seniors groups here don’t have hiking groups and while I’ve been introduced to people who say they are hikers, they haven’t been interested when I proposed a hike. I sometimes think it’s a lost cause and my hiking days are truly behind me. I don’t know where you live but I wanted you to know you aren’t the only.one wanting to get together with others to hike. I wish you the best of luck with this. Hopefully you’re in a larger city and can find a Meetup group.
I am in Central Illinois and trying to figure out if this is a regional group. I too would like someone to hike with.
I started hiking for alone time, and I’m probably not the only one here who loves me time in the wilderness. However, I finally talked my son into going, starting with some short hikes close to home, and I’ve noticed I really don’t miss the silence of a solo hike all that much.
I also found some great people through FB who have ended up being good trail buddies.
I’d like join you , help me.
Seeking a woman to hike Patagonia with
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