20 Hiking Groups Celebrating Women in Nature Across the US and UK
Outdoor adventure groups have been around for a while, but they’re on the rise. This is, in part, a Covid aftereffect; outdoor exercise offered a respite from quarantine measures and became more directly linked to our mental well-being. And the feeling has stuck, with research showing our time spent indoors has made us realize how much we missed the outdoors. Now, groups of women are turning to hiking clubs as a way to get outdoors, and find community.
What Is a Hiking Club?
A hiking club is a group of organized individuals who arrange outdoor excursions, most often on foot. These can include hikes of all levels and durations—from hour-long walks to week-long camping trips. Some are organized for free via a collective, and others charge fees that can range in price.
What makes a hiking club special is its social element—like-minded hikers can gather and socialize, while stretching their legs, getting fresh air and respite from city life. For women-exclusive groups, this also offers a safe way to connect with new people, learn new skills, and connect with a new channel to network.
Outdoor organizations supporting Black, Indigenous and POC are also increasing BIPOC representation and access to the outdoors, such as LatinxHikers, Brown Girls Climb, Native Women’s Wilderness, and Outdoor Afro. These groups are changing the face of outdoor culture, showing what can be achieved by increasing representation for all marginalized groups.
Where Can I Find a Local Hiking Club?
There are multiple online directories that organize hiking groups by region, specialization, and skill level, such as All the Elements (UK), Hiking Project (US), and Meetup (US). Many hiking groups also have a social media presence, so if you find one on Instagram that you like the look of, look at what other groups that page may follow.
The following list includes hiking groups that are exclusive to women—with a few that are women-led and majority women—and include organizations, collectives, and nonprofits offering organized hikes across the U.S. and U.K.
All-Women Outdoor Organizations Across the US and the UK
GorpGirls
Location: London & Los Angeles
Mission: Founded by Hannah da Silva, GorpGirls is an online platform, creative agency, and collective specializing in showcasing women championing the outdoors. It organizes free hikes and outdoor activities accessible from London and Los Angeles.
Structure: Collective
Instagram: @GORPgirls
Hike Clerb
Location: Los Angeles & New York
Mission: Founded in 2017 by Evelynn Escobar, Hike Clerb is an intersectional women’s outdoors club centering BIPOC and promoting healing together through nature. Hike Clerb occasionally also offers excursions in Toronto, Canada.
Structure: 501c3 nonprofit
Instagram: @hikeclerb
Athene Club
Location: London
Mission: Founded by Liv Jank and Zaineb Abelque, Athene Club is a UK-based outdoor community facilitating bringing women together in nature and encouraging movement. Athene Club offers free hikes near and around London.
Structure: Collective
Instagram: @atheneclub
Hikerkind
Location: NYC, Southern Cali, and Seattle
Mission: Hikerkind is a women’s outdoor lifestyle brand and community that organizes hikes and social events such as drinks, lunches, and book swaps across NYC, Seattle, and Southern California.
Structure: For-profit lifestyle brand
Instagram: @hikerkind
The Wanderlust Women (UK)
Location: Northern England
Mission: The Wanderlust Women is a hiking and adventure group for Muslim women founded by mountaineer Amira Patel. While many of the events are in the UK, the group has also organized retreats and expeditions to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Jamaica, and Morocco, available to explorers for a fee that typically covers room, board, and transportation.
Structure: Private Limited Company
Instagram: @the.wanderlust.women
Black Girls Hike UK
Location: UK
Mission: Founded by Rhiane Fatinikun, Black Girls Hike UK offers day excursions, training events, and weekend trips across the United Kingdom, providing a safe space for Black women to explore the outdoors.
Structure: Private Limited Company
Instagram: @bgh_uk
Black Girls Hike US
Location: Baltimore
Mission: Black Girls Hike is a group dedicated to connecting with nature and living freely by highlighting black women and POC in nature and outdoor adventures.
Structure: N/A
Instagram: @blackgirlshike_
GRL SWM
Location: London
Mission: Through organized activities and lessons, GRL SWM is a swimming and social club teaching women a life skill one swim at a time. The group often organizes excursions out into nature for wild swimming.
Structure: Collective
Instagram: @grlswm
Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/womens-hiking-groups
