
What we’re about
Welcome to the FREE hiking, outdoor fitness, and social activities Group!
About Us - Get ready for new adventures! I’m Amit, the main organiser of this group, and I usually lead the hikes. I was born in India and moved to the UK over two decades ago, where I studied and built my professional career in the legal and financial sectors. I also served in the reserve forces of the British Army’s Royal Military Police and enjoy giving back through community volunteering.
Hiking has always been a deep passion of mine, one I’ve pursued for many years. I founded this group in August 2021 to continue my love for hiking and fitness while connecting with like-minded individuals. Together, we will explore the countryside, breathtaking landscapes, and hidden gems across the UK, with occasional trips abroad. Whether on weekdays or weekends, you'll be part of a friendly, fun, and adventurous community.
What We Offer In addition to hiking, various outdoor and social activities such as running, fitness events, and group trips are organised. Some events include local and international travel. If you're interested, please communicate directly with me.
Who Can Join? Everyone is welcome! People of all age groups are encouraged to join — our participants range from 18 to 75 years old. All you need is an open mind and a friendly, kind attitude towards others. Please be polite, respectful, and courteous to fellow participants and the organiser.
A Note on Spirit and Intention: This group is run entirely voluntarily and driven by a spirit of community, generosity, and shared well-being. I organise and lead these events out of a genuine love for hiking and a charitable instinct to create something positive and inclusive for others. I kindly ask that members approach this group with the same spirit — with kindness, openness, and consideration for others. Please avoid self-centred or entitled behaviour, as it goes against the values on which this community is built. When we each give a little of ourselves, we all gain so much more in return.
What the Group Is About - This group is not only for those who already enjoy staying active but also for anyone looking to start or get back into an active lifestyle. The aim is to promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors by exploring scenic countryside trails, tackling hills, and discovering hidden gems across the UK and beyond. Hiking offers more than just physical benefits — it builds mental resilience, encourages a positive mindset, and helps clear the mind. Whether you’re climbing a steep hill or pushing through a long-distance trail, these challenges can strengthen your focus, discipline, and confidence. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting, you'll find a supportive community to grow with — physically, mentally, and socially.
Important Guidelines
· Responsibility: Participants are responsible for their safety; the organiser / event host does not accept any liability. The group provides route guidance and event organisation only.
· Risk Acknowledgement: By joining, participants agree to take full responsibility for any risks, including accidents, injuries, transport, insurance, and accommodation costs, etc. In committing/signing up for the hikes/events, you agree to undertake sole ownership of all and any risks associated.
· Location: Events take place in and around London, across the UK, and occasionally abroad.
· Weather: Events will not be cancelled due to bad weather; however, participation is at your own risk.
· Rules: Please read and follow the group rules to ensure a welcoming and friendly environment for everyone. Hikes and events are usually led by me.
· Pets & Children: No pets or underage children are allowed unless express permission is granted by the organiser. Once permission is granted, they may attend all other similar events. Dogs aren’t automatically allowed on hikes, but I’m happy to consider it on a case-by-case basis. Please send me a picture of your dog on WhatsApp first. If approved, you’re welcome to bring your dog on future hikes, provided they’re kept on a lead at all times. The dog must be friendly and well-behaved to ensure other hikers feel comfortable. For longer or more challenging hikes, please bring a suitable dog carrier in case your dog gets tired or needs support along the way. Once the dog is approved, you're free to bring them along on future hikes without asking again or until the permission is withdrawn due to an issue during a hike.
· Pace & Difficulty: Most hikes will be at a medium to fast pace and may not be suitable for those who prefer a much slower pace. Longer hikes (20 km+) require a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to keep up with the group. Regular short breaks will be provided to catch up, take pics, and recover. Shorter days (e.g. during winter or evening/night hikes, etc.) can also contribute to the pace of the hikes. Those who struggle with endurance or medium/fast-paced hiking may find some longer hikes challenging.
Safety Note: I carry a first aid kit on all hikes, so feel free to ask if you ever need it.
Group Etiquette
· Event Sign-Up: Signing up in advance is compulsory, and those who turn up without signing up may be removed from future events or the group or banned.
· Commitment: The events are posted mostly in advance so that you can plan your time. Repeated last-minute cancellations or no-shows may lead to being placed on the waitlist or removed from the event/group.
· Respect and Group Conduct Guidelines: The group is built on the principles of mutual respect, inclusion, and shared enjoyment of the outdoors. We strive to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where everyone feels genuinely seen, valued, and comfortable participating. Our shared experiences are most fulfilling when each member contributes positively to the group dynamic by treating one another with kindness, patience, and consideration—both online and in person.
Respecting others—fellow members, the event organiser, and the group’s guidelines—is not optional; it is fundamental.
Community Values:
As the organiser, my responsibility is to safeguard the integrity, inclusivity, and well-being of this community. Leadership sometimes requires making difficult decisions, and while I always strive to give people opportunities to reflect and improve, persistent or serious issues cannot be ignored.
Respect & Inclusivity
Disrespectful, discriminatory, argumentative, or confrontational behaviour — whether overt or subtle — will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, racism, sexism, ageism, harassment, or any form of prejudice or exclusionary conduct.
To protect the integrity, inclusivity, and safety of our community, individuals who have previously engaged in such behaviour have been, and will continue to be, removed from the group.
The organiser may also refuse participation to anyone whose conduct or ongoing association with individuals removed for serious or discriminatory behaviour compromises the trust, harmony, or well-being of this community.
All decisions are made carefully and in good faith, with the goal of preserving a positive, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone.
Cooperation & Group Harmony
Non-cooperative behaviour during events, including undermining the organiser, disregarding event guidelines, or creating disruption within the community, is equally unacceptable. It shows a lack of respect for the time, energy, and goodwill that go into organising these experiences for everyone’s benefit.
Individuals who attempt to disrupt the group’s harmony or influence others in ways that undermine the community’s values may be refused participation at the organiser’s discretion. These measures are in place to protect all members and preserve the positive, inclusive, and welcoming spirit of this community.
Positive Atmosphere
While genuine friendships and connections are welcomed and encouraged, all members must prioritise maintaining a positive, respectful, and inclusive atmosphere. Please be mindful of personal boundaries, cultural sensitivity, and the impact of your words and actions on others.
Shared Responsibility
If at any point you feel uncomfortable, witness behaviour that does not align with these values, or have concerns, I encourage you to contact me directly and privately. Maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment is a collective responsibility, and your feedback plays a vital role in upholding these values.
Thank you for being part of a community that chooses kindness, respect, and accountability.
· Participation Priority: Regular attendees may receive priority if there is a waiting list. This is because of the certainty of attendance.
· Volunteer-Based: The group is run voluntarily; the organiser pays a subscription to maintain the group on this platform.
· Special / Weekend Away Events: Regular attendees may be invited or given priority for special or weekend-away events announced by the organiser. These events, which may have limited spots, might not always be posted on Meetup but instead shared via a separate WhatsApp group for regular participants. Participation in these events is based on factors such as prior participation, demonstrated commitment, and the ability to contribute to a positive group dynamic. Weekend-away trips can be both enjoyable and demanding; therefore, ensuring group cohesion and a supportive atmosphere is important. To facilitate this, regular attendees who have shown commitment, adherence to rules, and reliability may be prioritised. The organiser may set eligibility criteria and/or determine participant selection to foster a friendly, inclusive, and respectful environment, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Photography & Social Media By participating in the events, you agree to be in pictures or videos that might be taken by the event host/organiser during the event and which may be used on this and other social media platforms.
Donations The events are completely free, with no expectations. However, if you’d like to support a cause, consider donating directly to Cancer Research UK via https://donate.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/your-donation?type=single&amount= , or you may donate to any other charity you may deem fit. There is no compulsion or obligation to do so. Thank you.
Copyright Notice
All original written content (including event descriptions, poetry, and narratives, etc) and any other creative works produced by the organiser for this group and its events are protected by copyright. All rights reserved. These materials may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or used in any way without the express permission of the organiser.
Got Suggestions? Let’s Talk!
We welcome your event ideas and suggestions—feel free to share them with me during an event, as I would love to hear from you. As the hike leader, I set the pace, guide, and keep the group together, which means I might not be able to interact with everyone as much as I’d like during the hike itself. However, I’m always happy to chat before we set off, during breaks, or over post-hike drinks. So please don’t hesitate to come over and say hello! You can also write to me on WhatsApp if you are new to hiking and have questions or inhibitions. You will find my number on one of the events, and I will reply to you at the earliest.
Thanks for joining us and looking forward to seeing you! Our hikes and events are completely free and run voluntarily to bring people together in nature. If you enjoyed the event and had a good time, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and a few kind words about your experience. It helps support the group and encourages others to join. Your feedback means a lot — thank you!
Join us for an adventure, stay fit, and make new friends!
Upcoming events
13

🎄 FREE BORING EVENT – Crawley Christmas Hike & Dinner : You'll Probably Regret
Crawley Train Station, Crawley, GBMeet: Outside Crawley Station
Time: 10:30 a.m. sharp (also known as “10:45” in real-hiker time)
Difficulty: Moderate — enough to warm up your legs and test your balance in mud, but not enough to require therapy.
Distance: Long enough to earn your Christmas dinner, short enough to still enjoy it afterwards.
It’s that time again — December, when logic takes a holiday and we go walking through mud in the name of “festive cheer.”
Because nothing says holiday spirit like soggy socks, lost dignity, and questioning your life choices one mud puddle at a time.
Every December, I generously spare you from my usual “let’s accidentally cross a county” expeditions and bring the fun (and mud) right here to my town: Crawley — proud home of Britain’s roundabout surplus, some very confident ducks, and scenery that’s almost photogenic if you squint and lie to yourself a bit.
But don’t worry — your reward for surviving this muddy miracle awaits: our annual Christmas pub dinner and get-together, where calories don’t count and roast potatoes heal all trauma.
***
## 🌲 Highlights May Include:
✨ Worth Way – the jury’s still out on whether it’s worth it.
🌿 Copthorne Woods – thorns included, nature’s free exfoliation.
🪵 Crawley Down – the name is a lie, but the mud is real.
💩 Enough mud to open our own spa. (Exfoliating, hydrating, and mildly soul-crushing.)
It’s like the Scottish Highlands… if they’d been through budget cuts and installed a Costa.
***
## 🏆 The Great Crawley Awards 2025
As our almost final hikes of the year, I’ll be handing out some prestigious honours, including:
🥇 Most Dramatic Sigh While Climbing a “Hill” That Isn’t One
🥈 Best Impression of Enjoying Themselves
🥉 Outstanding Dedication to Repeatedly Making the Same Mistake
💀 Lifetime Achievement in Showing Up Despite All Previous Experiences
***
## 🥾 Hike Details
Pace: Medium — fast enough to call it exercise, slow enough for deep existential reflection.
Terrain: Flat-ish. Any inclines are purely psychological (and emotional).
Finish: Around 4:30 p.m. — perfect timing for phase two.
Weather: Sussex spin cycle — sunshine, drizzle, or both simultaneously.
Mud: Deep, personal, transformative. The kind that makes you reassess your footwear budget and life priorities.
***
## 🎒 What to Bring
🧭 The Essentials:
- Proper hiking boots (trainers will surrender by km 2)
- Waterproofs — December doesn’t negotiate
- A torch — daylight clocks may be out at 4 p.m.
- 1L of water — stay hydrated enough to keep complaining clearly
- Packed lunch — snacks are morale
🎅 The Intangibles:
- Festive spirit — Santa hats strongly encouraged
- Bad jokes and acceptance of your fate
- Cash/card for the main event...
***
## 🍺 The Real Destination: Christmas Pub Dinner
You’ve survived the mud — now it’s time for the part everyone actually came for.
The real highlight is collapsing into a cosy pub afterwards for our annual Christmas dinner and get-together.
The location is top secret (mostly because I am still finalising it), but rest assured it’ll be a proper local spot with:
🍽️ Hot food that you didn’t have to carry in a rucksack
🍷 Beverages that taste like reward and absolution
🎉 A festive atmosphere born from shared suffering and dry socks
🎁 Terrible Christmas cracker jokes (an upgrade from our hiking banter)
🥂 A chance to celebrate another year of questionable outdoor decisions
🍻 For those planning to fully commit to the “festive” part, an overnight stay in Crawley might be a wise (and wobbly) choice.
Whether you’re there for the full turkey dinner or just a celebratory pint and chips, this is where we toast to muddy boots, good company, and the fact that we voluntarily keep doing this to ourselves.
The pub is the prize. The hike is character building.
***
## 🚶♂️ Group Etiquette
Please stay with or behind the hike leader at all times.
This isn’t just for safety — it’s to ensure nobody goes rogue and ends up leading a rival expedition to Crawley Tesco.
I lead from the front (and occasionally from a puddle), but we start together, end together, and ideally still like each other enough to share a table afterwards.
Please read the About Us section before signing up for events — it includes important info about how our group runs and what to expect.
🔗 https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking-outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities/
***
## 💬 Final Notes
This hike is free, though your muscles may invoice you the next morning.
Expect laughter, camaraderie, and just enough chaos to earn your 2025 “I Survived Crawley” badge.
The pub dinner is pay-your-own-way, but the banter and questionable award ceremony are complimentary.
📞 Lost? Late? Contemplating your choices?
WhatsApp: 07830 374 629
(Response times may vary if I’m currently being claimed by the terrain.)
***
P.S. If anyone asks why we’re hiking in Crawley, just tell them:
> “It builds character — and destroys socks.”
P.P.S. Santa hats are encouraged. Festive fleeces are acceptable. Giving up is not — there’s roast dinner waiting.67 attendees
🥾 FREE SUNDAY HIKE – Vineyards, Woodland Ridges & Countryside Views
Dorking Railway Station, Station Approach, Surrey, RH4 1TF, Dorkin g, GBThis is a beautiful and varied circular hike starting right from Dorking Station, taking us through the vast open slopes of Denbies Vineyard, up to the ridge of Ranmore Common, and through quiet woodland trails toward the Polesden Lacey estate area. Expect open hillside views, peaceful forest paths, and classic Surrey countryside at its best.
A perfect Sunday reset — fresh air, steady hills, good company, and wide horizons. 🌿
***
### 📍 Meeting Point
Dorking (Main) Railway Station – outside the main entrance.
Meeting Time: 10:15 AM (leave 10:30 AM sharp)
Trains run from London Victoria & Waterloo.
Parking available at the station.
***
### 🌄 Route Highlights
- Walk through the rolling Denbies Vineyard (largest in England)
- Ridge-top views across the North Downs
- Quiet woodland trails on Ranmore Common
- Countryside paths leading toward Polesden Lacey Estate
- Mix of open landscapes & atmospheric forest
- Great variety without being overly strenuous
Distance: Approx., 15 kms
Difficulty: Moderate – some steady hills, but nothing extreme. If you have the will, then you would be fine.
Pace: Medium/purposeful — we keep moving, with catch-up breaks
***
### 🥪 Lunch
The plan is to finish by 2 pm and have lunch or a drink at a pub near the station.
***
### 🎒 What to Bring
- Hiking boots (trails can be muddy, especially after rain)
- 1–1.5L of water
- Packed lunch + snacks
- Waterproof jacket / layers
- Optional: gloves/hat depending on weather
***
### ⚠️ Important Group Notes
- Please stay with or behind the hike leader — this keeps the group together.
- We take regular catch-up pauses, especially after hills.
- This is a voluntary group; you are responsible for your own safety. No risk or liability is inferred or assumed.
- Be respectful to wildlife, land, and other trail users (cyclists/horse riders).
Read our About Us section before joining:
https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking-outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities
***
### 🍻 After-Hike
We’ll likely end with a drink or/and lunch at a pub near Dorking Station.
***
### 📱 Contact / If Late
Message me on WhatsApp (not call) – I’ll be leading/navigating:
07830 374 62930 attendees
FREE HIKE -Time to Burn Off Those Festive Calories! Amberley to Shoreham by Sea
Amberley, Arundel, GBJoin us for a refreshing, calorie-burning New Year hike through the stunning South Downs from Amberley to Shoreham-by-Sea. We will meet at 10:15 am outside the Amberley Station and will finish at Shoreham-by-Sea Station.
Travel via Train: Take train from London Victoria to Amberley. Buy a return to Angmering (Amberley and Shoreham-by-Sea are on different lines therefore, return ticket to Angmering will cover both) however, please note to double check about it with National Rail helpline or train station staff etc to avoid any issues.
Travel by car: Car Parking at Amberley Station or you can start early and park at Shoreham by Sea Station and take a train to Amberley Station however, plan well and check train timmings if you decide to park at Shoreham by Sea.
This approx., 15 to 17-mile journey will feature incredible views, a bit of history, and a dash of mystery!
Highlights:
- Stunning South Downs Views: Expect picturesque landscapes, sweeping hills, and potentially a few friendly pig farms along the way.
- Historical Pitstop at Chanctonbury Ring: This Iron Age hill fort above Worthing, with its famous beech tree clump, has a long-standing reputation for paranormal mysteries. UFO hotspot or not, it’ll be a unique spot to take a breather and enjoy our lunch break.
- Beach Finish and Optional Dip: We’ll walk past Shoreham-by-Sea, where you can dip your toes (or dive right in!) if you're feeling brave enough.
- Pub Finale: A well-earned drink at a local pub to celebrate our hike’s end and toast to new adventures.
Trail Details:
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (15 to 17 miles)
- Pace: Medium to Medium-fast, covering ground efficiently.
- Start Point: Amberley Train Station
- End Point: Shoreham-by-Sea Train Station
What to Bring:
- Good hiking shoes
- At least 1 litre of water
- Packed lunch for our Chanctonbury stop
- Be weather prepared, it can be cold and wet
- Torch is compulsory as we will finish in the dark!
- Positive energy and readiness for an adventure!
Important Notes:
- Stay with or behind the hike leader to maintain the group’s pace and cohesion.
- Respect fellow walkers, animals, and the environment.
- This is a voluntary activity. Participants are responsible for their own safety and not the organiser.
- Group Guidelines: Read our “About Us” section before joining: 👉 https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking-outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities
After-Walk Gathering: We’ll wrap up with a friendly pub visit near Shoreham-by-Sea station.
📱 If you run into any issues or need to get in touch, my WhatsApp is 07830374629.
Dust off those hiking boots and start the year right! Let's turn those holiday treats into memories on this scenic South Downs trek.21 attendees
Past events
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