Hiking Groups: How To Select The Right One For You

If you're a social animal, you're instinctively drawn to hiking groups.

Why? Let me count the ways...

You like to chat while you hike.

Solo hiking doesn't interest you - too much planning and decision making.

You want to meet new people.

You feel safer on the trail with lots of people around.

You want to pick up some new hiking skills from more seasoned hikers.

You like to carpool to a trail head, reducing your carbon foot print.

You're new to the area, and don't know the best hiking trails yet.

Any or all of these reasons make finding a group to hike with a great idea for you!

But do a little soul searching before you begin searching for the perfect hiking group.

Consider these questions:

*How much structure can I tolerate before, during, and after a hike?

*How flexible am I with my available hiking time?

*Do I want a mixed gender group? A mixed age group?

*How far am I willing to drive to meet up with my hiking group?

*How much input do I want into hiking destinations, types of trails, and other decisions?

*Are there fees for joining the hiking group? If so, what are the fees used for?

*Can I afford new gear, clothing, or gadgets in order to fit in with a particular mind set?

Consider these general group types in your search for hiking companions:

1. Hard core mountaineering groups: highly structured and regimented, leader-dominated, may require taking classes to build skills before being allowed in. Serious hikers only in this hiking group!

2. Informal, casual groups: usually spring up organically from a cluster of hiking friends/families; you may be invited in by knowing a member of the group, or a friend of a friend. Light hearted, companionable hiking! May be dog and kid friendly, or not - be sure to ask.

3. Organized regional groups: various skill levels, may run a forum and post invitations for new members, or allow you to join and post. Friendly hiking... may allow dogs and kids, too.

4. Theme groups: LGBT, seniors, females, photographers, peak baggers, trail maintenance, you name it!

What are the advantages group hiking?

Safety, camaraderie, new friends, potential romance, broadening of hiking horizons, and skill building, just for starters.

Disadvantages of hiking with others include loss of control over hiking pace and decisions, inflexible scheduling, scheduling conflicts, personality conflicts or friction, cancellation due to weather which may not seem all that bad to you, divergent hiking philosophies....

Interested in a list of group types, with links to suggested groups? Use the contact box below, and be sure to specific a geographic region (unless you can travel extensively to hike).

Another option: try MeetUp.

Hiking groups not your cup of tea? Return to Social Hiking tips.