Lake District Walking & Hiking Groups to join in 2024
Forget about joining a gym this New Year, walking and hiking are just as good (if not better) for your physical and mental health. You don’t have to do it alone either; more and more people are joining and creating hiking and walking groups right here in the lakes. You don’t have to live in the Lake District to join; everyone is welcome regardless of experience or where you’re from. If you feel more comfortable doing so, there are also hiking groups for specific genders and religions to create a safe space for minority groups. Here’s our choice of 10 hiking groups to get you started!
For the endurance minded..
Endurance hikers Facebook group was created for those who like to hike a little further - from long distance trails to multi day adventures. Share experiences and knowledge here.
Wave Forward
How to get involved: To get learn more and get involved with Wave Forward’s group walks, follow them on Instagram @waveforward and subscribe to the mailing list on their website. This is a free hiking group.
Founded in 2020 by a group of local volunteers, Wave Forward is a charity based in the Lake District providing support for young people in the area. The charity was set up in response to the rising rates of mental health problems in young people across Cumbria and the South Lakes; as part of their support for young people, they organise voluntary run group walks.
Lisa Atkinson, a volunteer from the charity says the organisation has seen a growing number of young people getting involved in their ‘Wellbeing Walks’, with members giving positive feedbacks from their hikes.
’The Wellbeing Walks’ was an idea of one our young supporters Chloe,” said Lisa. “Chloe suffered during the 2020 lockdown with feelings of isolation, and it detrimentally had an impact on her well-being. Chloe turned to walking as a way of alleviating low moods and now actively uses walking as part of her own mental health toolkit.
So far the group has explored both popular and lesser-known spots in the lakes including areas such as Catherdral Caves, Grasmere, Rydal, Scout Scar, School Knott and the Silverdale Pepperpot.
With the walks being such a success, our volunteers are planning on hosting and coordinating more in 2022,” adds Lisa. “We hope to be able to arrange monthly hikes and extra in the summer holidays!
Summit Good
How to get involved: The group post updates and walk dates on their website and have a Facebook group for members to join. This is a free hiking group.
Part of the Ramblers Association and founded in 2004, Summit Good is a hiking group based in the lakes aimed towards young hikers aged between 20-40. The group welcome people from all levels of experience with walks varying from gentle strolls to exciting ridge walks, so there’s always an opportunity to challenge yourself too! The group get together regularly and always welcome new members.
Walks are guided by leaders from the Ramblers Association, so you know you’re in safe, professional hands.
Footloose Cumbria
How to get involved: The group update a walk programme on their website. Anyone wanting to get involved can join the group for three free hikes. If you then want to join the group a monthly payment of £10 is required, with new members paying £5 for the first year.
Founded in 1999, Footloose is a Cumbrian hiking group made up of a small number of local, friendly hikers. The group was initially set up for singles only but now contains are mixture of couples and singles, with everyone now welcome. The group get together most Sundays with the odd weekday hike; there’s also a chance for members to enjoy a weekend away or trip abroad.
Wonderful Wild Women
How to get involved: Keep an eye out on the groups social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website for dates of group hikes. Men are not excluded but most of the group’s supporters are women. It’s free to take part, just give the group a message.
Founded five years ago by outdoorswoman Sarah Gerrish, Wonderful Wild Women is a large community of nature loving women who share inspiring stories and get together on group adventures. Sarah set the group up to inspire herself after feeling cut off from the outdoors whilst working, studying and becoming a new mother. The group say their aim is to ‘inspire all women no matter what their age, experience or ability to get into the outdoors and get active. We are passionate about adventures of all scales and the positive effects being active in nature can have on both physical and mental wellbeing.’ The group has grown in popularity and their Instagram account now has over 39,000 followers. Supporters of the group often meet up for group hikes exploring parts of the lakes and adventuring in all kinds of ways including wild swimming.
Blackdog Outdoors
How to get involved: The charity list dates for activities on their website and social media. All events are free. Blackdog Outdoors also has a partnership with Trail Magazines ‘Mountains for the Mind’ campaign. Group hikes can be found in the magazine, or on the campaign website (https://www.mountainsforthemind.co.uk/)
A charity ran by volunteers, Blackdog Outdoors is small team including qualified mountain leaders who organise group walks for people with mental health problems to improve their quality of life by helping them engage safely with the outdoors. The charity isn’t limited to the Lake District but the lakes and Cumbria are popular areas for their hikes, with past events including exploring Skiddaw, Buttermere, Ennerdale and Eskdale. The group isn’t limited to hiking either, with activities involving climbing, cycling and water sports. There are plenty of adventures to get involved with in this group.
Mind Over Mountains
How to get involved: The charity has an events section on their website. Alternatively, keep updated through Mind over Mountains social media pages @mind_o_mountains.
All events are free and bursaries are available for eligible people.
Founded in 2018 by 26-year-old Cumbrian adventurer and motivational speaker Alex Staniforth, Mind Over Mountains is a mental health charity aiming to restore mental health naturally through nature, providing a space for everyone to have the opportunity to experience the outdoors. The organisation say, ‘we believe spending time outdoors is the most powerful intervention to build resilience and maintain positive well-being. We wish to become the leading organisation providing easy access to therapeutic nature experiences for all.’
The organisation lead group hikes in various areas across the UK with the Lake District being a popular area.
Muslim Hikers
How to get involved: The group posts updates and hikes on their Facebook page and are also available to get in contact with on Instagram @muslim.hikers Although the group is set up to encourage Muslims to get outdoors, the community welcomes everyone along and hikes are free.
Created in 2020 by Muslim outdoorsman Haroon Mota, Muslim Hikers is a community group encouraging Muslims to get outside. The group has quickly grown popular amongst the community and now has over 16,000 supporters on social media. Hundreds of people get involved with group hikes, which include visiting areas across the UK, often visiting the Lake District. Members of the group were involved in hosting events at last years Kendal Mountain Festival.
How to get involved: If challenging hikes are your thing, get in touch group secretary Frank Jones over on their website. If you commit to joining the group there is an annual fee of £5.
A small walking club made up of local hikers, Kendal Fellwalkers is a group for Lake District walkers who are already comfortable being in the mountains. The group state their walks are more demanding, with a 10-20 mile walks being the norm, aiming to attract those who like a challenge. The group currently has 97 members on their private Facebook page, making this a small community with hikes usually including around 20 members.
Black Girls Hike
How to get involved: Members are available to contact via social media @bgh_uk and on their website. This group is free to get involved with however is exclusively for black females.
Founded in 2019 by Rhaine Fatinikun, Black Girls Hike is a hiking club on a mission to diversify the outdoors and create a safe space for black women to adventure and feel comfortable being themselves. The group host nationwide hikes, activity days and training events. Activities often take place in the Lake District with the group recently running a mountain skills course in Coniston. The girls are always exploring the fells of the lakes, so this is a great group for the local black community to get involved with.
South Lakes Walking Club
How to get involved: To get in touch with the group, head over to their website or send a message on their Facebook page. The initial hike with the group is free, if you then decide to join, an annual fee of £10 is charged.
For over 80 years, members of the South Lakes Walking Club have been enjoying hikes around the Lake District. The group is made up of older people, but everyone is welcome to join. Members meet in Kendal most Sundays, choose from three suggested hikes and get a bus over to the start. Walks are regular with some mid-week events arranged; there is a list of routes and events on their website.
