How to Join a Hiking Club

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking is a great activity for you. In addition to being a fantastic way to get some fresh air and exercise, hiking is a great opportunity to find new friends. Whether you live in an urban or suburban area, there’s likely to be a local hiking club nearby. These groups are filled with people who love spending time in the great outdoors, and they’re also the perfect place to meet like-minded individuals. Joining a hiking club is an excellent way to make new friends while also continuing to spend time outside. Whether you’re thinking of joining one of these clubs or starting your own, here are some helpful tips on how to join a hiking club.

Ask Friends and Co-workers

If you already have friends who enjoy hiking, start by asking them if they know about any local hiking clubs. If you don’t have any friends who like hiking, ask co-workers and neighbors if they know anyone who might be interested in joining a hiking club. While hiking clubs are often associated with specific regions, many clubs are open to people from all over. Depending on where you live, there may be several nearby clubs to choose from. If you can’t find a nearby club, you may want to consider joining a hiking club online.

Meetup.com

Meetup.com is a great way to find local hiking clubs to join. Simply enter the type of hiking that interests you, and you’ll find a variety of clubs to choose from. Meetup.com is a great option if you want to join a nearby club, but aren’t sure what clubs are available near you. You can also use Meetup.com to start your hiking group if there aren’t any clubs in your area. Once you have a few members, you can plan hikes together and meet new people who also love hiking.

Find a Hiking Group on Social Media

If you’re a member of a few hiking-related Facebook groups or Instagram hashtags, you might be able to find a hiking club near you by searching for groups on social media. Many hiking clubs will have a presence on social media, so you can easily find out more information about a nearby club by searching for them online. Facebook groups are also a good option if you want to start your hiking club.

Check Out Local Fitness Centers

Many large fitness centers offer outdoor activities, including hiking. You can find a nearby fitness center that offers hiking by visiting the website of your local YMCA or other organizations that promote healthy lifestyles. Fitness centers often offer memberships to people who live nearby, which makes it easy to join if you’re interested in hiking with other people. Fitness centers are a great option if you live in an urban area and don’t know of any hiking clubs in your area.

Check Out Local Events

If you want to find a hiking club in your area but don’t want to go through the hassle of researching clubs, you can also attend local events. Many hiking clubs host events at the beginning of the year where members can sign up for hikes and meet each other in person. If there aren’t any events scheduled where you live, you may also consider hosting one yourself. You can reach out to local hiking clubs and see if any of them would like to attend.

Start Your Group

If you can’t find a nearby hiking club that interests you or you’re interested in hiking in a specific region, you might want to consider starting your hiking club. Starting your hiking club is a great way to meet new people while also hiking in new places. Before you start your hiking club, you need to make sure that you have permission to hike where you want to go. It’s also a good idea to look into getting liability insurance in case anyone gets hurt while hiking with your club. Once you’re ready to start your hiking group, you can post about it on places like Facebook and Meetup.

Look at Hiking Club Websites

If you’re interested in joining a hiking club, the best place to start is on the club’s website. There, you will be able to learn about upcoming events, find out about how to join the club, and even see a list of the club’s upcoming hikes. If you can’t find a local hiking club that you want to join, you can also consider joining a national or even an international organization. There are many hiking clubs out there, so you will likely be able to find at least one group that you can be a part of!

Conclusion

Hiking is a fantastic outdoor activity that’s open to people of all ages and fitness levels. If you enjoy hiking, you may want to consider joining a hiking club if there’s one near you. Joining a hiking club is a great way to meet new people while also enjoying time outdoors. Plus, many hiking clubs offer discounts to members, making it a cost-effective way to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you live in an urban or suburban area, there’s likely to be a local hiking club nearby.