With so many hiking groups in London, finding the right one can be daunting. Whether you’re a novice unsure of where to start or an experienced hiker seeking companionship, a hiking group could be your answer. In this post, I’ll guide you through what to consider when choosing a hiking club and offer reviews of six popular options.
Last Updated: 24 October 2023
As a seasoned hiker, I’ve joined various clubs, organized my own hikes, or strolled solo or with friends. My experiences range from day hikes near London to weekend getaways and international trips. Here’s what I’ve learned from four years of hiking around London and my honest reviews of the groups I’ve tried.
Why You Should Join a Hiking Group
Before committing to a London hiking club, here’s what you should consider
Meet people and make new friends
Hiking groups are a great way to meet new people. On the off chance that you are just starting, don’t have a clue where to go or don’t know anyone, then it is the perfect solution for you. It’s a great way to meet people from different backgrounds who share one thing in common: their passion for the outdoors. Once you find the right group, you will feel part of a community and will build strong friendships with fellow hikers (and even find love who knows).
Safety and Security
Safety is in the numbers. While solo hiking presents some advantages such as being the sole decision-maker, the risk is higher should an incident occur in a remote place. Hiking in a group eliminates the issue and as hike leaders are first-aider trained it adds significantly greater security. You are in good hands.
Learn and discover
Regardless of whether you are new or familiar with the place where you are going, there is always more to discover and learn. Hike leaders generally give you an explanation of the spots you are visiting during the hike but that depends a lot on the group you join. Furthermore, who knows, someone in the group might be a walking encyclopedia and you will soon be able to impress your friends and family!
Try your gear
Let’s be honest, how many of you have one day invested in a pair of walking shoes and left it to die somewhere at the back of a closet? Too many, I presume. Joining a hiking group is the opportunity for you to dust off those walking boots. It is likewise the occasion to discover new items and get advice on what to buy next from more experienced hikers.
Get motivated and supported
It’s easy to plan where we are going, what trail we are following, and what train we are taking. Yet, when comes Saturday morning and the alarm rings at 5.30 am, it’s a lot harder to stick to the plan. When joining a hiking group, no more excuses! You will feel motivated to get up as you know you are meeting with a group (and as you paid for it!).
You will also feel supported by a group of fellow hikers should you experience any troubles or difficulties in making it to the finish line. By being surrounded by people who have your best interest at heart, you are more likely to push yourself further and improve faster than if you were on your own. When I first started, I never imagined I would be walking a 42-hike marathon one day!
No planning to do
After spending the week making decisions, attending meetings, and stressing about deadlines, when comes the weekend, all you want to do is switch off your brains. This is why joining a hiking group is the perfect solution: no more planning to do! You just have to show up and that’s it. What a nice feeling when you simply have to follow the lead!
How to Choose the Right Hiking Group for You?
For you to find the right hiking group, consider the following factors:
Age
Either you want to join a hiking group because it will allow you to chat with someone 20 years older or younger than you or you only want to hang around people from your generation, there is no right or wrong. Just make sure you check the age group before signing up to avoid bad surprises.
Difficulty
Most of the hiking groups in London offer a variety of hikes of all levels so you can join any of them. You only need to check the hike difficulty level before booking your spot. However, some groups are targeting a certain type of hikers. So when doing your research, ask yourself questions such as: “Are they beginner-friendly? “, “Are they suited for experienced hikers?”, “What level of fitness is required?”. It might be worth reaching out to them before signing up to make sure you are the right fit for the group. Your experience will be much more enjoyable if you are joining a group that matches your level of fitness.
The Structure
Some of the hikes would end in a pub, some don’t. Sometimes you gel with the group, sometimes you don’t. Therefore you need to check if the hiking group you want to join is getting a group ticket or if you are required to book your own.
The difference? It could mean more freedom or not at all. If the group is travelling on a group ticket, everybody is expected to take the same train back to London. No roaming around and staying behind for a couple of more drinks. There is a way to go about that by finding two people who want to stay behind and you have a group! It only takes three people to be entitled to the group discount, so you won’t get caught in the case of a control.
However, if you are getting your train ticket, then you are free to go back to London whenever it pleases you, disregarding when the hike leader is going home.
Fee
Most of the hiking groups in London are free to sign up for and you only need to pay when you are booking a hike with them. Notwithstanding, some of the groups ask for a fee when joining. It’s a way to ensure that only people who are motivated by hiking are joining. We all know that once we pay for something we are more likely to use it.
Once you have joined a group, they don’t all charge the same to go on a hike. So you would need to do some price comparison and make a decision based on how much you are ready to pay to go on a guided hike.
Gear
When going on a hike, there is not just the booking fee that you need to pay for, but you likewise need to invest in some quality gear. The beginner’s mistake is to go on a hike with your gym outfit, suffer a lot and never go on a hike again! If you want an enjoyable experience, you need to put some resources into it. It does not have to cost you thousands of pounds. Retailers such as Decathlon or Amazon are affordable. So, are you ready to invest?
Where to Find Hiking Groups in London?
The first place to consider when looking to join a hiking group in London is online of course. A quick Google search and you will be dealing with hundreds if not thousands of options. It will be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
My recommendation when it comes to narrowing down your research, it’s to move away from Google and get the Meetup app. It is a platform dedicated to building local communities around people’s interests and passions. It’s the perfect platform to find a hiking group. Even if you will be confronted with quite a few options, it will be much easier to skim through them.
Alternatively, to make it even easier, you can keep reading as I am reviewing 6 of the Meetup Hiking Groups in London just below.
Meetup Hiking Groups in London Review
1 – Outdooraholics
Outdooraholics
Website: www.outdooraholics.co.uk
What is it: One of the most popular hiking groups on Meetup with 43 446 members (at the time of writing this article), Outdooraholics is led by the charismatic Graham and his team of friendly hike leaders. The group is clear from the start: it’s for individuals between the ages of 25 to 49 years old. They offer a variety of day hikes accessible from London by train, weekends away and foreign trips.
Pros:
- There is a hike for everyone with Outdooraholics, from beginner level to more challenging
- They have a very specific age range which is perfect for avoiding disappointment
- Very well organised and deliver on their promise
- Plenty of hikes take place every weekend so that you will never be bored
- Offer weekday hikes because not everybody works a 9 to 5
- They add new hikes regularly so that you don’t end up doing the same over and over again
- They are spot on with refunds
- You get a neck cover after 5 hikes with them
Cons:
- They have massive groups so it can be harder to meet people (especially if you are shy)
- Due to the large number of people joining their hikes, there is a big disparity in the level of fitness and pace making it hard to stay as one group
- They are really popular so the hikes get filled pretty quickly and they have long waiting lists. You need to book your spot far in advance to be guaranteed a spot
- No or little explanation was given about the places visited during the hike
- They are long to respond to emails when you contact their customer service
2 – Go London Hiking
Go London Hiking
Website: www.meetup.com/GO-London/
What is it: Another popular group with 38 300 members. It is a very good group to join if you just getting started (I started with them). The friendly Gary and his team organise day walks accessible from London, multi-day hikes and foreign trips. They also offer after-work strolls in London during the week, a good way to stretch those legs after a day in the office or working from home.
Pros:
- Perfect for novices and people looking for a slower pace
- Offer hikes for all levels
- No age limit
- Very friendly hike leaders
- Well organised and deliver on their promise
- A variety of hikes is offered so that you always get somewhere new to go to
- Explanation of the sites visited given by the hike leader as you go along
- Responsive customer service
- Efficient with refunds
Cons:
- They tend to attract a bit of an older crowd – it’s a good point if you fall in this category but if you don’t, check before signing up who is joining the hike to avoid feeling out of place
- Hikes get full very quickly so you need to book your spot early to avoid disappointment
- Big groups so it can be more intimidating and harder to meet new people
3 – Love to Hike
Love to Hike
Website: www.meetup.com/Love-To-Hike/
What is it: “Love to Hike – Longer, Harder, Faster hikes“, it is all in the name! Paul organises hikes ranging from 15 miles (25 km) to 30 miles (50 km) in the West and South of the country from London. So buckle up as this is a whole new level of hiking!
Pros:
- Amazing if you are looking for a fast-paced hiking group
- A smaller group so it easier to meet new people
- Very friendly members (the friendliest I hiked with so far)
- Welcoming hike leader
- Well organised and deliver on their promise
- No age limit – just fitness level
- Offers a large variety of hikes
Cons:
- You need to pay to join the group
- If you fall behind during the hike, they wait for you but as soon as you reach the group they restart walking. So no time to rest which makes it even harder. You have been warned!
4 – AAA Outdoor & Hiking
AAA Outdoor & Hiking
Website:www.meetup.com/aaa-outdoor-hiking
What is it: They offer a range of day hikes, weekend activities and overseas trips. They aim to make people discover and enjoy the beauty of the British countryside and beyond. They take care of the logistics, design the routes, find the accommodations and coordinate the car-share when the location is not accessible by public transport.
Pros:
- Fast-paced so ideal for those who like a bit of a challenge
- The hike leaders take the time to offer explanations on the sites you are visiting
- Smaller groups (18 attendees maximum in general) make it easier to meet new people
- You book your own ticket so you decide what you want to do at the end of the hike
- A varied selection of long weekends away and overseas trips
Cons:
- You meet at the trailhead and not at the train station in London, meaning that if you do not know anybody on the hike you are travelling alone to the meeting point
- Due to having a smaller team of organisers they do not have many day hikes available
Website:www.meetup.com/londonsocialhiking/
What is it: London-based hiking clubs using their own mode of transport: a minivan. With a 16 seater at hand, they can take you anywhere and far from the beaten tracks. They also offer a selection of weekends away around the UK.
Pros:
- They have a minivan. No need to worry about booking train tickets or having to cancel your plan due to a train strike.
- You go where the other groups don’t go
- They have a limited number of attendees due to having a minivan which makes it easier to meet new people
- Once you arrive at the destination, you can hike with the group or do your own hike and meet back at the minivan at the end of the day. It is ideal for Londoners who do not drive.
Cons:
- Depending on the group (and lack of luck) if you end up sitting next to an idiot you are stuck for the duration of the trip. Unlike when travelling by train, you cannot change your seat in the minivan
- Long journey by car to get to the start of the hike (sometimes up to 3 hours drive)
6 – Walks by Water
Walks by Water
Website: www.meetup.com/Walks-by-Water/
What is it: Dog-friendly walking club following routes near waterways such as canals, rivers and coastlines.
Pros:
- Dog friendly
- Only gentle and fairly flat walks
- Offers a large number of walks within the London/ Greater London area
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Extremely large groups! I have seen events with 80+ attendees registered. Of course, it does not mean they will all turn up on the day
- The hike leader will meet you at the trailhead so you have to find your hiking companions by yourself at the train station in London to buy a group ticket – not the easiest I must admit
- No explanation is given on the walk about the sites visited
Final Thoughts on the Hiking Groups in London
While I’ve shared insights on six groups I’m part of, many others exist both on and off the Meetup platform. Another noteworthy group is “Hiking in London“, known for its mix of outdoor activities and parties. They even allow dogs and have a unique musical and drink twist to their hikes.
In conclusion, don’t limit yourself to one group. Explore multiple options to enjoy varied experiences and meet diverse individuals. If you’ve tried any of these groups or others, share your experiences in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
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