Wilderness Hiking

Join us for an ultimate Frisbee session, and meet some lovely people. This is a relaxed evening of Ultimate Frisbee in Merrion square Park. No experience? No problem. Just bring yourself and whatever makes you comfy outdoors. But dress to run! *** 🗓 **What’s Happening** * Gentle warm-up + Frisbee basics * Friendly, low-pressure Ultimate Frisbee games * Optional: sideline cheering, lounging * Cool down & post-game hang *** 📍 **Where** **Merrion square park**, Dublin 💶 **Contribution** If you’d like to help cover the meetup costs and gear (cones, bibs, frisbees, etc), a **€2 contribution** is suggested. Revolut ref tag: [https://revolut.me/marise3](https://revolut.me/marise3) No pressure — you can join us either way. *** 🧺 **What to Bring** * Your fave snacks or drink (solo or to share) * A blanket or something comfy to sit on * Sunscreen, water, good energy, and running shoes ☁️ **Weather Watch** If it rains, we’ll update this page **90 minutes beforehand**. (Also: the traditional sun dance is already scheduled 🌞) *** 🔗 **More ways to connect** Looking for more social and creative outdoor & indoor fun? 👉 [https://activesocialconnections.com/](https://activesocialconnections.com/)

Our midweek training session :-) Choose from 5km, 7.5km or 10km

Our weekly Monday training session :-) 5km, 7.5km or 10km

Hi All, Planning a regular 10K around the park each monday evening at 7PM. Pace will be at about 5:20 -5:40 per km and we will stick to paths or easy trails. Ideally bring a head or body torch and maybe hi-viz clothing. Meeting at Acres Road (Across from the papal cross). Let me know if you have any questions.

**The perfect way to spend a Saturday?** 🌞 Join The Offline Club Dublin as we head North to explore the rugged, breathtaking cliffs of Howth. On **Saturday, April 25th**, we’re trading the digital buzz for the sound of the waves and the fresh salty air of the Irish Sea. ⛰️🌊 **Where we meet:** We’re gathering at the **Howth DART Station** at **11:00 AM**. We’ll hang around until 11:15 to make sure everyone finds us! Maja & Lexie will be there before (visual guide will be sent a day before the walk!) 🥾 The Route: We’ll be taking on the beautiful **Howth and Baily Lighthouse Loop**. This is a 7.6km trail that brings us along the cliff edge with views that’ll make you forget all about your Instagram feed. It’s a moderate-to-low difficulty hike with an elevation gain of 268m—enough to get the heart pumping, but plenty of time to stop and soak in the scenery. Expect about 2–3 hours of pure coastal magic! 📵 The Vibe: No phones allowed, but you can take your "normal" camera! 📷 **📸 Bonus:** We will have a **photographer on-site**! This means you can keep your phone tucked away and still have beautiful photos of the day to look back on later. We’ll share the gallery with everyone afterwards. ✨ What to expect: * **Coastal Views:** Stunning lookouts over the Baily Lighthouse and the cliffs. * **Silent Time: 15-25 minutes of silent time at the stunning viewpoint** * **Genuine Connection:** A chance to meet like-minded people who also want to spend less time on their screens. * **Optional Social:** We’ll finish back in Howth village for an optional coffee or ice cream! 🍦 🕰️ The Schedule: * **11:00 – 11:15 \|** Meet at Howth DART Station. * **11:15 – 14:00 \|** The Loop: Connection with others & nature. * **14:00 \|** Arrival back & soft goodbyes (or optional social). **Dedicated Silent Time at one of the viewpoints!** 🐥 What to bring: * **👟 Comfortable Shoes:** You'll need decent grip for the cliff paths! * **🌦️ Layers & Rain Gear:** It’s Ireland in April—let’s be prepared for the sea breeze! * **💧 Water & Snacks:** Stay hydrated as we hike. * **💛 Yourself:** Just as you are. No "content" needed, just your presence. * **🦮 Pets:** More than welcome! (Just remember the lead and bags 💩). 🎟️ Tickets & Support: This walk is **donation-based**. We believe offline time should be accessible to everyone. If you’d like to support our mission and help us organise more of these events, any contribution is warmly welcomed! 💛 Love the vibe but want something more cosy? Check out our private Reading Parties and hangouts here: [https://www.meetup.com/the-offline-club-dublin/](https://www.meetup.com/the-offline-club-dublin/) We can’t wait to see you there! **Hugs, Maja & Lexie** 🦄🦆

Should you find yourself free then why not join us for a walk along the Grand and Royal Canals. Taking in the Famine Way, the Phoenix Park and the Irish National War Memorial Gardens. Meeting at 10am Weston Airport entrance, parking along the cul de-sac. Approximately 35klm so bring some nibbles and liquids of choice, plenty of coffee stops along the way for lunch.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Join us for one of our favorite hikes this Tuesday (4/21/26) at 6:30 pm as we hike the Hoover Dam Scenic Trail, starting at the west end of the dam. This hike includes some paved paths/roads along with some dirt trails, with a few beautiful views of the reservoir. Join us for this 2 mile hike, finding us in the parking lot at the corner of Sunbury and Smoke Burr.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

We will hike the Ridge Trail and Meadows Trail twice, for a total of 3.8 miles. There are some pretty good inclines so plan on getting a cardio workout :). This is a loop which is pretty easy to follow; thus faster walkers can take the lead and the rest (like me) will bring up the rear at a slightly slower pace. You could also just do the loop once for 1.9 miles. No one left behind. Optional lunch to follow in Canal Winchester. I'm working through the metro parks - this is the third one!

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles so please wear your shoe of choice. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.