Hike Together

Free, volunteer-led day hikes for fit and confident walkers across London and the surrounding counties
---
🥾 What to expect
We are a London-based hiking group exploring routes across London and the surrounding counties, from scenic woodlands and rolling hills to the occasional muddy stretch. Our hikes are typically 20 to 25 km (12 to 15 miles) at a moderate to brisk pace and are best suited to walkers comfortable with longer distances over mixed terrain.

All hikes are free and led by experienced volunteer organisers. Walks usually start around 10:00 and finish mid to late afternoon. Most routes are accessible by train, with optional group travel from central London or the option to meet directly at the hike start point.

The group is open to adults aged 21 and over who enjoy longer and more challenging walks in a friendly and well-organised community that values fresh air, adventure, and good company.
---
🌱 About Us
Founded in April 2025, we are a lively group that values fresh air, good conversation, and shared adventure.

Hiking is about people as much as distance, and we aim to create a friendly and supportive atmosphere on every walk. Those newer to longer-distance hiking are welcome, provided the event matches your fitness level.

You finish a weekend in the hills tired, muddy, maybe a little achy, but smiling. The fresh air, the miles, the laughter, the challenge, the conversations, the new friendships, and the views stay with you long after the hike is over. By Monday you’re recovering, by Tuesday you’re already looking for the next adventure. We call it the hiker’s high. And at Hike Together, what matters is that we get out there and hike together.
---
👋 First Time Joining a Hike
If this is your first hike with the group, welcome.

We encourage newcomers to introduce themselves to the organiser at the start of the walk. Many members join their first event without knowing anyone, and we aim to create a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

Please make sure you are comfortable with the distance and pace described in the event before joining. If you are unsure, feel free to ask questions in the event comments.

During the hike, stay aware of the group and avoid becoming separated, particularly at junctions or in remote areas.
---
🏛️ How We’re Run
The group is run by a small team of experienced volunteer organisers. We plan and lead walks as peers rather than professionals. We organise UK day hikes only and do not run or promote activities involving travel providers.
---
✅ Who Can Join
Participation is limited to adults aged 21 and over. Children and pets are not permitted, as routes can be long and physically demanding.
---
💰 Cost
All hikes are free to attend. In some cases, organisers may arrange optional group rail tickets to help reduce travel costs, and participants using these must travel on the same train and contribute their share. Optional social events may sometimes require a venue or accommodation deposit. Organisers do not profit from any payments.
---
💪 Walk Distance and Conditions
Most hikes cover around 20 to 25 km (12 to 15 miles) across hilly and varied terrain.

Typical moving pace is around 4.5 to 5.5 km/h, depending on terrain and conditions. These are not slow or casual walks, and pace may vary slightly between events.

Routes explore classic English countryside including woodland paths, rolling hills, open ridgelines, and farm tracks. Underfoot conditions can change quickly and may include mud, chalk paths, uneven ground, and occasional steeper sections.

After wet weather, standing water and large puddles may be encountered, sometimes reaching above the ankle of standard walking shoes. On rare occasions short scrambles up steeper sections may require using your hands.

If you are new to longer hikes, we recommend starting with an easier event and building up gradually.

Breaks are limited, and the group maintains a steady forward pace throughout the day.
---
🗺️ Hike Difficulty Levels

• Easy: Up to 12 km, mostly flat
• Easy to Moderate: Up to 15 km, some slopes
• Moderate: Up to 20 km, mixed terrain
• Moderate to Strenuous: Up to 30 km, steep sections
• Strenuous: 30+ km, rough terrain
• 👉 Full grading reference available HERE.

---
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travel and Meeting Points
Most hikes are accessible by train. Participants should buy their own ticket unless using an organised group option. Some hikes may offer two meeting points, either at a London station or at the hike start. Please arrive on time, as the group cannot wait for late arrivals.
---
👥 Group Size
Most hikes typically have between 25 and 50 participants, depending on the event and conditions, with larger groups being less common. As we move as one group, staying with the leader is important.
---
🎒 What to Bring (Essential)

• Packed lunch, snacks, at least 2L water
• Proper hiking footwear is essential. Trainers are not suitable for most of our routes, especially in wet or muddy conditions.
• Layers, waterproofs, warm layer
• Sun protection
• Personal medication and blister plasters
• Fully charged phone and head torch
• Offline maps or GPS app
• Some cash or bank card

Recommended: Walking poles, power bank, whistle, dry bags, navigation apps such as AllTrails or Gaia GPS and know how to use them.
---
🚻 Facilities
Facilities can be limited or unavailable on rural routes.
Mobile signal may be unreliable in remote areas.
---
🧭 Navigation
Please read the event details carefully and bring appropriate navigation tools, such as AllTrails, GaiaGPS, or OS Maps, on your mobile device or a suitable alternative.

If you become separated from the group, stop and remain where you are if it is safe to do so, and contact the host so we can assist in reconnecting you.

If you are unable to contact the host, make safe and sensible decisions using your own judgement and available resources.

We do our best to keep everyone together, but we can’t stop frequently for individuals who are unable to maintain the pace. In these situations, you may need to continue at your own pace.

Do not rely solely on other participants for navigation.

If you choose to move ahead or leave the group structure, you’ll be considered to be continuing independently and responsible for your own route and safety. If you do so without informing an organiser, it will be assumed you’re managing independently.
---
⛈️ Cancellations
Hikes run in most weather but may be cancelled for safety or organiser availability. Always check the event page before travelling.

Walks generally go ahead in rain, wind, and cold conditions. Expect wet paths, mud, and exposure at times. Comfort is your responsibility.
---
⏰ Typical Schedule
Each hike is slightly different, but most follow a similar structure.

Some participants choose to meet in central London and travel together by train, while others make their own way directly to the starting point.

Once everyone has arrived, the organiser will give a short briefing covering the planned route, key safety points, and what to expect during the walk.

Most hikes begin at around 10:00. We walk at a steady, comfortable pace, with short rest stops along the way and a longer lunch break of approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

The hike leader will guide the group throughout. All participants are expected to follow the leader at all times and must not walk ahead or fall too far behind. The leader will also provide instructions and share important information as needed during the event.

Walks typically finish in the mid to late afternoon, usually between 16:00 and 17:00, depending on distance, conditions, and pace. When possible, there may be an optional pub stop near the finish or close to the train station.
---
📸 Photos and Media
Group photos may be taken during hikes and shared on Meetup or social media.

If an image includes you and you prefer not to appear, you may ask the organiser to remove it or replace it with a version where you are blurred or not recognisable. All requests will be respected and choosing not to appear in photos will never affect your participation in the group.
---
🛡️ CODE OF CONDUCT

👥 Lift Sharing
Members are welcome to make their own private arrangements for lift sharing and group travel. Any lift sharing arranged between members is undertaken voluntarily, at each individual’s own discretion and entirely at their own risk. Any agreements relating to travel, insurance, costs, timing, or other related matters are strictly between the individuals involved. Once members have established a connection, please arrange privately and move any lift-sharing discussions off this platform.

🌿 Behaviour & Respect
Our events are intended to be social, safe, and welcoming spaces where everyone can enjoy hiking and good company.

Members are expected to behave in a respectful, courteous, and considerate manner at all times. Please be mindful of personal boundaries and maintain appropriate personal space. Unwanted physical contact is not acceptable.

Conversations should remain friendly and respectful. Comments, jokes, or behaviour that make others uncomfortable are not appropriate.

Respect the diversity of our members and treat everyone with kindness.

Conversation on hikes is encouraged but optional. Some people enjoy chatting throughout the walk while others prefer quieter time outdoors. Both are welcome.

👤 Personal Conduct
Smoking, recreational drug use, and the use of loudspeakers are not permitted during group events.

Medications prescribed by a medical professional are permitted. If listening to music or audio, please use headphones so that others can enjoy the natural surroundings.

📝 Bookings & Cancellations
Our events often have limited spaces. When a place is taken, it may prevent someone else from joining.

As our events are free, we ask members to be mindful when RSVPing and only sign up if they genuinely plan to attend. Please also avoid booking multiple events on the same day. If your plans change, we understand that things come up, but please cancel as early as possible so your place can be offered to someone on the waitlist.

A no-show includes:

• Not attending after RSVPing
• Cancelling just before or after the start time without notice

Repeated no-shows or late cancellations make it difficult to organise events fairly. If this becomes a pattern, we may limit future bookings or remove members from the group.

We do not remove people for missing a hike. We only take action when someone repeatedly signs up, does not attend, and does not update their RSVP to "Not Going". It is about fairness and respect for everyone in the group.

Regular and reliable members on the waitlist may contact the host for priority consideration. Organisers may prioritise members with a reliable attendance history to help ensure places are used effectively.

🚶 Fitness, Pace and Group Movement
Our hikes are designed for participants who are confident they can maintain the stated group pace over the full distance and terrain.

Pace and difficulty may vary depending on terrain, elevation, and conditions. Event descriptions aim to clearly explain the distance, terrain, and difficulty so members can decide whether a hike is suitable for their fitness level.

Please ensure you read the event description and fitness requirements carefully before signing up.

🌱 Respect for Nature
Please follow the Leave No Trace principle by taking all litter with you and leaving the environment as you found it. Stay on marked paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and respect gates, signage, farmland, and landowners at all times.

🛡️ Safety and Responsibility
This is a self-supported hiking group. While we walk together, each participant is responsible for their own safety, preparation, and decision-making throughout the event.

Participation is at your own risk. Hiking involves hazards such as changing weather, uneven terrain, and the possibility of injury.

Participants should be honest about their fitness and come properly prepared with suitable equipment, clothing, food, water, and navigation tools.

Organisers are volunteers and may refuse participation if they believe there is a safety concern.

Decisions made by organisers regarding safety, pace, and participation are final on the day.

Organisers are not liable for injury, accidents, or loss of personal items. The group does not provide personal accident or travel insurance.

Leaving a hike early is not always straightforward and may involve a significant walk to the nearest exit point or station. You should only join if you are confident you can complete the full distance. An organiser may help identify an exit option but cannot leave the group.

Organisers may have basic first aid knowledge but are not medical professionals. In the event of a serious incident, emergency services may need to be contacted. Response times in rural areas may be delayed.

🩺 Illness
Please do not attend events if you are unwell or recovering from illness. You are welcome to join again once fully fit.

🚩 Reporting Concerns
If you experience behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please report it directly to Meetup through their reporting channels: Meetup Trust and Safety. Meetup may contact the organisers so that the situation can be reviewed and appropriate action taken.
---
🔒 Group Independence
This group is dedicated to free, volunteer-led UK day hikes. External trips, paid events, or other organisations should not be promoted through group channels.
---
📩 Contact
You may contact the group owner privately via Meetup with any concerns or complaints. Issues involving harassment or unwanted contact should be reported directly to Meetup Trust and Safety.
---
📞 Contact During Events
Each event host will provide a working mobile number at the start of the walk for use in case of separation or emergency.

If you are unable to reach the event host and require assistance, you may contact the Hike Together organiser, AdrianB, via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7438 812 663 on the day of the event only.
---
Feedback
Members are welcome to provide constructive feedback, suggestions, or comments regarding group wording, policies, or organisation. To avoid turning the platform into a discussion board, and to help keep discussions constructive and manageable, please share any feedback privately with the organisers rather than posting it publicly on the platform.
---
☑️ Final Acknowledgement
By joining events you confirm that you have read and agree to these guidelines and understand that participation is at your own risk.
---
📢 Stay Connected
Follow us on: Online | 📸 Instagram | 🐦 X | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🌳 LinkTree
---
🍃 We look forward to welcoming you on the trail and sharing many great walks together.