The Valley Hikers

The Valley Hikers Meetup is a group for anyone interested in hiking. We do a variety of trails from very easy to difficult, predominately within 45 minutes of the greater Springfield, MA area. All skills levels are welcome. Hikes occur year-round, and throughout each week, except for around the time of some holidays. This is a great way to get in shape, or stay in shape, and a way to meet nice people.
No dogs (except for service dogs on leash) can hike with the Valley Hikers.
Things to keep in mind for ALL hikes
Always bring water.
Hiking boots are best for unpaved trails.
Bring one or two poles if needed for stability or joint issues.
Hike leaders usually have some first-aid supplies.
A small backpack is helpful.
For reasons related to health and to forest safety, all hikes are smoke-free.
A note about conduct. We are a group of like-minded people who enjoy getting together to hike and be outdoors. Although members often develop friendships (and sometimes relationships) outside of the group, Meetup.com and the Valley Hikers are not designed primarily to encourage dating or unwanted romantic attention.
It's very important that all members of the club feel welcome on all of our hikes. So please: respect the boundaries of your fellow hikers. It's appropriate to contact someone through the meetup site, or through email or phone information that the member has given you, but encroaching beyond a person's comfort level is inappropriate. People who cross the line after being warned will be excluded from future hikes.