Hiking Groups: Build Community and Strengthen Relationships With Your Crew
Do you want to meet more people who share similar beliefs and ideals?
You’re in good company because this is one of the top reasons people join a hiking group.
Hiking groups (or hiking clubs) focus on building connections within specific communities.
In some sense, hiking is simply a way to get people together and create stronger relationships within the group.
It’s all about socialization with a purpose.
You don’t even have to be an outdoorsy person, because you can find a hiking group that’s suited to your experience and comfort levels. In fact, most groups choose gentler terrain to be accessible to a wide range of hikers.
Interested in hearing more? Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s covered in this blog:
With this basic information, you’ll be able to find your ideal hiking community in no time!
Hiking Groups 101
When you join a hiking group, you're not looking to exercise alone. In fact, you're much more motivated by moving with other people.
You like the accountability of meeting at specific places and times. You may even be a little intimidated by the prospect of hiking by yourself. But with the group around, you're much more likely to try new trails or new terrains.
Most of all, you want to meet people who care about and prioritize the same things you do.
Does this sound like you? If so, you’d be a perfect candidate for your nearby hiking group.
But first, let’s clarify the difference between hiking alone and hiking with your community.
Hiking Groups vs. Solo Hiking: What to Know
The obvious difference is that group hiking entails hiking with others. There are some less obvious differences between a hiking group and solo hiking:
It’s More Scheduled
Groups are much more structured than going on a hike by yourself. Typically, they develop a hiking plan in advance so that members know what to expect. So, depending on the group, you might not be fully in charge of when and where the hiking happens.
For some, this is easier because there’s no pressure to plan. All that’s required is showing up and enjoying the hike. Others want more of a say about which kind of trails they hike or when the group meets.
For example, a hiking group may take a poll to determine their next hiking spot. Another may already have a predetermined schedule.
Luckily, you can find a club that caters to your preference because each one is different.
There May Be Some (Inexpensive) Fees
Some hiking groups may have fees, although they're usually inexpensive.
You can find information about possible costs on their website or social media page. It should mention whether the club requires fees, how much they cost, and how often they’re due.
Remember, there are plenty of groups that don’t require fees!
Each Group Is Different
Most hiking groups don’t tackle difficult terrain, so they only require basic gear. Think sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes, comfortable clothing, water, snacks, bug spray, and sunscreen.
The difficulty of the terrain dictates what you’ll bring. For instance, longer and more rocky hikes usually require hiking boots rather than sneakers.
There are also all kinds of groups for different communities. Some examples are:
Women's groups
Over-50 or senior groups
Groups located in particular cities or regions
No matter which group you join, the mission remains the same – building community by having fun on the trail.
Four Ways Hiking Groups Build Community
Group hiking is all about the connections you make on the trail. So it’s no surprise hiking can build community in various ways:
It brings people of all ages and backgrounds together.
Group members show up for the same reason, even if they are from different places, have various life experiences, or are of different ages. A shared mission holds everyone together despite these differences.
2. Everyone in the club has the same goal (finishing the hike), which strengthens relationships.
No one gets left behind. Plus, each member needs to rely on and help each other out along the way.
3. For groups that also meet off-trail, scheduled hiking trips switch up the routine of typical meetings.
When you try something new with others, it builds camaraderie.
4. Some people find conversation easier when they can concentrate on something else, like scaling the trail.
This makes hiking a great way to socialize with people that you might not usually get to talk to.
In summary, spending time with people who resonate with you builds community. That’s why hiking groups are so effective, no matter which kind you decide to join.
Which Hiking Community Is Right for You?
There are four different categories of hiking groups:
Recreational
Regional
Community
Mountaineering
It's important to understand which category you’re looking for. Each group tackles different terrains and therefore has various difficulty levels.
For example, if you want a slower or gentler hike, then a mountaineering club probably isn’t for you.
Even if a group encompasses your interests and values, you're better off finding one that also suits your physical needs.
Recreational
Recreational hiking groups are a lot more relaxed because their main goal is socialization.
They're usually composed of people with different experience levels and fitness abilities, so the hiking is fairly gentle. Of course, this depends on the club, so do your research first.
Regional
Regional groups are also relaxed and focus on building community within a specific area or location.
Like recreational hiking groups, the difficulty level is low. Regional groups are often recreational (in fact, these two categories usually overlap).
Community
Community-based hiking groups are the most value-oriented. They cater to people with similar beliefs and passions who want to spend more time within their community.
Senior hiking groups, women-only groups, nature groups, religious groups, and ethnic groups are all popular examples. Hiking terrains and difficulty levels will vary by group.
Mountaineering
The most intense in terms of terrain and scheduling are mountaineering clubs. For safety reasons, there is always a designated leader of the group.
Mountaineering requires special gear and usually a certain level of experience.
Once again, these four categories can overlap. But it's good to understand what to look for based on your needs and interests.
Examples of Community-Based Hiking Groups
Here are examples of a few groups that focus on building community:
Women Who Hike: This group advocates women getting out on the trails. You can see their schedule and basic information on their website and Facebook page.
Unlikely Hikers: A hiking group for those who wouldn’t consider themselves outdoorsy or a part of the hiking community. You can get more information on their website.
OutGrown: This kid-friendly community encourages families to hike together. You can find all the information you need on their website.
Outdoor Afro: A hiking group that inspires the Black community to get out in nature. You can find more information on their Facebook page or sign up for regional groups on their website.
Native Women’s Wilderness: Their mission is to bring Native women together to learn about and explore the outdoors. Discover this community on their website.
Latino Outdoors: This hiking group focuses on family, community, and culture within the Latinex space. Sign up for upcoming events on their website to join them on their next hike.
There are countless other hiking communities that are perfect for your values, interests, location, and fitness levels.
Find a Hiking Group to Start Building Community Now
The sky's the limit when it comes to the hiking clubs you can join.
There is truly a hiking group for every interest and demographic.
But how do you find one near you? Check out these five easy ways:
Check out the American Hiking Society’s directory of hiking organizations. It allows you to search according to city, state, membership type, website, and organization name.
Another tool is the Keystone Trails Association’s (KTA) Find-a-Club directory. This is a simple tool that finds nearby hiking groups based on your zip code.
A quick Google search can also do the trick. Type in which community or region you're looking for to get more specific results. For example, you could search, “hiking groups for seniors near me”.
You can even look at forums and social media pages to find local clubs. Many post their schedule and membership information on social media. Forums are helpful for finding people who belong to or know about hiking clubs that would interest you.
Try asking the people you already know if they would join a hiking club. They may even know someone who is involved or who would love to join you.
Finding a hiking community that's right for you isn't complicated. Hiking groups are easy to find on the internet and simple to join.
Best of all, you'll have more opportunities to build community with like-minded people while enjoying time out on the trails.
Now that you have the knowledge to easily find a group, get searching for a nearby hiking community today!
