14 Ways To Find A Hiking Buddy
Since as early as I can recall, my family has always enjoyed going on walks together. We would walk along the bike path that followed the city creek, checking out all the water birds that visited there. We would drive out to the nearest “forest” and walk along its grassy trails, praying not to get eaten alive by the mosquitoes. We would meander along the rocky and sandy shores of the lake or river near our camp site, scavenging to see who could find the coolest rock or piece of petrified wood. And we would take yearly vacations to the state and/or national park nearest us, exploring its trails and marveling at the views. Sometimes we would explore new trails, but more often we would return to our old favorites. These memories instilled a love for being outdoors and for the movement towards things worth seeking (like amazing views!).
As a child, I never worried about having hiking partners, I always had my parents. But as I grew older and moved away from home, I found myself without anyone to go hiking with. None of my female friends seemed interested in doing anything beyond shopping or eating out and none of my guy friends could be parted from their gaming systems.
I was too nervous to hike alone (there are so many horror stories out there warning females off from hiking solo) so I went without for years. Eventually I met my now-husband, who was and is an outdoor enthusiast. That solved my problem... for a short while. But after he sustained a life-changing injury, I found myself back at square-one. No more hiking partner.
After some Googling and figuring out how to be more out-going, I found out that there were more women like me (who enjoyed hiking but didn’t have anyone to go with) than I had previously realized.
Below is a list of possible ways you can find your next hiking partner.
Let me know if it helps you in the comments below.
1. Coworker
Ask your coworkers how they spend their time outside of work. You may be surprised how many of them spend their free time outdoors. You may even find another person who likes hiking but doesn't go much since they too don't have someone to go with.
2. Friends & Family
Whether or not your family is outdoorsy, they may know someone who is. Talk to family members to see if they know anyone who likes hiking. Even if your family lives in a different state, they may know someone who lives in your state who likes the outdoors as much as you do.
You may have a friend who is willing to try hiking. You never know unless you ask.
3. College Or University
Most colleges and universities will have outdoor programs available to the public. Whether or not you go to that college or university, you may be able to join an activity or trip.
4. Local Ranger Program
Check to see if your county, the national park, or the national forest service near you has a volunteer ranger program. This is a great way to find other people with a passion for the outdoors and hiking.
5. City Programs
Your city may host seasonal programs and/or classes. Check their website and/or seasonal catalog of town events to see if any of their outdoor programs peak your interest. You may find a like-minded soul in one of the classes.
6. Church
See if your church offers events or small groups for members with specific interests. Think book clubs, get-togethers at local eateries, and more. Even if they don't offer outdoor events and/or groups, you can ask to create a new group or join a different group that interests you. If you jive with any of the members, ask if they enjoy spending time outside recreationally.
7. Local Outfitters
Check if they offer classes and/or events. For instance, REI offers "REI Experiences." These range from how-to events to professional-lead hikes and backpacking trips.
Check if they have a corkboard. Are there any fliers for outdoor events that other groups, businesses, or people are hosting?
8. Social Media Groups
Facebook. Search Facebook for hiking groups in your area. Use specific keywords like "Hike _(your state)_" or "Hike Baby" or "Women Who Hike 40+" (whatever sort of hike group you are looking for) and select "Groups" to see your search results.
Instagram. Sometimes outdoor “influencers” will post about how they found their hiking community. This is a great opportunity to jump in the conversation to see if any of their followers live near you and are also looking for a hiking buddy.
MeetUp or another “friend” finding App. Since it can be a bit sketchy planning to meet up with a stranger, at a remote location, in which there may or may not be cell service, our recommendation would be to plan on meeting up for a coffee before your hike so you can get a feel for the person. If it isn't meshing, kindly excuse yourself. If they are putting off all the wrong vibes, get the hell out of dodge. Forget about being polite.
Some free-to-join hiking groups you can find on social media that may be in your area include:
Hike It Baby
Women Who Hike
Hikerbabes
9. Local Brewery
Do they have a cork board? Check to see what fliers are posted.
Do they offer local events? Some breweries will try to build a community by offering events like yoga, crochet, bicycle tours, hiking, and more.
10. Join An Outdoor Club Or Association
Check if there are any local naturalist clubs. These typically involve bird watching, plant identification, mushroom hunting, etc. Check with your local visitor's center and the bulletin boards at the places you routinely visit.
Sierra Club: See if there is a local chapter near you. Local volunteers lead day hikes, peak scrambles, conservation efforts, and more. Not one near you? Apply to start a chapter in your area.
Hikerbabes: It's free to join a local chapter. Hikes are lead by their "ambassadors." Make sure you sign their waiver form before joining a hike.
Hike It Baby (HIB): This is the perfect group for you if you want to hike with your little one(s). It's free to join (although they do take donations) and find local hike events. Hikes are lead by their "ambassadors." If there aren't any hikes near you, you can apply to become an ambassador.
Wildkind Inc: By joining one of their memberships, you gain access to their "ambassador-lead" hikes, activities, and trips. Events typically include children, but some may be adults only. Moreover, some events require an additional fee to join, such as special activities and trips.
Do your research. There are more hiking clubs and groups out there. This is just a short list.
11. Sign Up for A Guided Hike Or Experience
YMCA: Your local YMCA may offer local guided trips.
State Park(s): Often state parks will offer guided events like birdwatching, stargazing, wildflower identification, and more.
National Park(s): National parks typically offer guided events like bird identification, stargazing, wildflower identification, and more.
Hike Like A Woman: They offer national and international guided backpacking trips for women (and sometimes mixed groups).
Explorer Chick: This group offers guided backpacking trips in the US and internationally. They offer a variety of locations and durations for their events.
Get travel insurance if you are planning to invest any money into a guided trip and travel. It's the worst when something unexpected comes up and you have to cancel your spot on a trip or when all your gear is lost during travel. It's even worse when you realize all the money that you put into the trip is gone and wasted (there aren’t exactly refunds on last minute cancellations or lost gear). Trust us, we've been there. It's suck town USA. Protect yourself and get travel insurance.
12. Join A Restoration Or Conservation Group
Meet other nature lovers while volunteering. A simple Google search will help you find conservation groups in your state. Visitor centers in your state and at parks may also be a great resource.
13. Join An In-Person Wilderness First Aid Course
NOLS Wilderness First Aid courses are a great investment. While they aren't cheap and can be tricky to coordinate scheduling-wise, they are a great resource. Boost your outdoor knowledge and skills while meeting other outdoor enthusiasts who are also interested in personal growth. Check to see available dates and locations.
Who doesn't want a hiking partner who knows what they are doing and makes safe and smart decisions?
14. Say Hello
Two ways to start a conversation…
Whether you are hiking alone or hiking with a friend, stop and strike up a conversation with another passing hiker
If you see someone trying to take a selfie, ask if they would like you to take a photo of them with their camera
You already have a few things in common, you both like hiking and you picked the same trail, day, and time to hike. Ask if they are from the area. Have they done the trail before? Where else do they like to hike? And so on… If they seem chatty, you can ask to swap names and numbers.
Don't be discouraged if they don't want to exchange contact information. That just means they are being respectful enough to not waste your time or theirs.
Everyone likes being invited. But make sure you talk about the difficulty of the hike, pace, distance, and more before hitting the trail. You may also want to inquire about their driving technique if you plan on carpooling. Your butt cheeks will thank you.
The Hiker’s Personal Safety Creed
I always tell someone where I am going hiking.
I always tell someone what time I plan to leave and what time I expect to return.
I always send someone the route I plan for driving there and back.
I always send someone my hike route.
I always check in when I get to the trail.
I always check in when I get back to the car.
I always take a GPS communication device.
I always take a First Aid Kit.
I always take the 10 Essentials.
I always am aware of my surroundings. And I will trust my instinct and what it tells me.
