Trails
Meet other local people interested in Trails: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Trails group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out trails events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the trails events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find trails events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Trails Events Today
Join in-person Trails events happening right now
Thursday Advanced Badminton Games Dubai @Sports Bay Abuhail 8pm
**This session is for All levels of players. We Keep dedicated courts for our advanced level players.**
✅ 2 hours of badminton
✅ All levels are welcomed
✅ Feather shuttles included
✅ Professional courts at SportsBay Abuhail
✅ Great games, great people, minimal waiting time
**Fee: AED 40**
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**How to Confirm Your Spot**
**Step 1:** RSVP on Meetup
**Step 2:** Pay immediately via Careem Pay/Bank Transfer
📲 0563213256 [Hamza]
📲 0509001406 [Waqsi]
**Your spot is only confirmed after payment.**
If payment is not received, your slot may be given to someone on the wait-list.
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**Cancellation Policy**
Cancel **12+ hours before event** → No charge
Cancel **less than 12 hours before event** → Full payment required (this applies even if you sign up within 12hrs of the game time)
**No-show** → Full payment required.
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**New Players**
WhatsApp after RSVP:
📲 0563213256 [Hamza]
📲 0509001406 [Waqsi]
[https://wa.me/971509001406](https://wa.me/971509001406)
**🎯 Welcome to Badminton Lovers Dubai!**
**The World's Highest-rated badminton community** from the heart of Dubai \(A perfect ⭐ 5 star rated ★ \| 6000\+ reviews\) – where fun\, fitness\, and friendship come together on court\!
Whether you’re a **beginner eager to learn** or an **advanced player seeking competitive rallies**, you’ll enjoy:
✔ 2 hours of structured, mix-and-match doubles games
✔ Professional world-class courts
✔ A friendly, welcoming community of players of all levels
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**⭐ Why Join Us?**
✔ Dubai’s **#1 rated sports & social group**
✔ Play with 5-6 players per court → **minimum waiting time**
✔ Separate courts for **advanced competitive matches**
✔ Beginner-friendly – guidance & support provided
✔ **Feather shuttles included** + limited rackets (first-come, first-serve)
✔ Exclusive **discounts at leading sports stores in Dubai**
✔ Social, fun, and a great way to meet new friends
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**📸 Social Media Policy**
* Photos/videos may be used to promote badminton & our community
**👥 Guest Policy**
* Guests must be registered with **name & level**
* RSVP holder is responsible for guest payment & cancellations
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**🏸 Safety Guidelines & Event Rules**
To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and well-organised experience for everyone, all participants are required to read and follow the guidelines below:
\*\*\*
**1️⃣ Personal Responsibility**
* All players participate **at their own risk**.
* Please ensure you are **physically fit and medically able** to play badminton before joining the session.
* Warm up properly and play within your personal limits.
\*\*\*
**2️⃣ On-Court Safety**
* Always be aware of **other players**, shuttle direction, and adjacent courts.
* Avoid running into other courts or behind players during active rallies.
* Stop play immediately if a shuttle or player enters your court unexpectedly.
* Wear **appropriate non-marking sports shoes** to prevent slips and injuries.
\*\*\*
**3️⃣ Equipment & Attire**
* Use suitable badminton rackets and equipment in good condition.
* Badminton Lovers Dubai is **not responsible** for any damage to personal equipment.
\*\*\*
**4️⃣ Personal Belongings**
* Players are fully responsible for their **own belongings**. **The organisers are not liable** for any loss, theft, or damage to personal property.
\*\*\*
**5 Liability Disclaimer**
By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that:
* You voluntarily assume all risks associated with playing badminton.
* **Badminton Lovers Dubai, its organisers, hosts, and volunteers are released from any liability**, claims, demands, or causes of action related to personal injury, loss, damage, or theft of belongings.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
**[Manaslu Circuit Trek](https://www.treknepalhimalayas.com/trip/manaslu-circuit-trek/)**[ ](https://www.treknepalhimalayas.com/trip/manaslu-circuit-trek/)is a raw Himalayan adventure that circles Nepal’s eighth-highest peak, offering quieter trails than the popular Everest and Annapurna routes.
The journey from the lush Budhi Gandaki Valley rises through terraced hillsides, rhododendron forests, and Tibetan-style villages before cresting the dramatic 5,106-meter **[Larkya La pass.](https://www.treknepalhimalayas.com/larke-pass/)**
Along the way, you experience vivid cultural exchanges, glacier views, and chances to spot blue sheep soaring at high altitudes.
Trip Highlights
## Highlights of [Manaslu Circuit Trek](https://www.treknepalhimalayas.com/trip/manaslu-circuit-trek/)
* **Suspension-Bridge Thrills over the Budhi Gandaki**: steel spans vaulting rainforest gorges and turquoise rapids, delivering dramatic first-week vistas and seamless village links.
* **Authentic Nubri Culture**: Water-driven prayer wheels in Namrung, crimson Ribung Gompa in Lho, and yak-herding families greeting trekkers beside kilometer-long mani walls.
* **Syala’s 360° Sunrise Arena (3,480 m**): Manaslu, Himal Chuli, and Ngadi Chuli blaze pink in one sweep of the eye, widely considered the circuit’s finest panorama.
* **High-Value Acclimatisation Excursions:** Pungyen Gompa (4,000 m) beneath Manaslu’s south face and glacier-fed Birendra Lake offer textbook “climb high, sleep low” conditioning amid superb scenery.
* **Frontier Life in Samdo (3,865 m):** last permanent hamlet before Tibet, famous for yak caravans, salt-for-barley trade lore, and commanding views of Samdo Peak.
* **The trek’s ultimate achievement is Larkya La Summit Crossing (5,106 m)**: Pre-dawn snowfield ascent to a prayer-flag col revealing Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, and distant Annapurnas.
* **Epic Descent to Bimtang (3,590 m)**: One-day transition from glacial desert past Ponkar Lake to rhododendron forest and yak pastures, rewarding lungs with thicker air and trekkers with verdant sanctuary.
Squash BORY
**Today we’re meeting for a squash session. If you enjoy squash, fitness, and meeting new people, feel free to join us. All levels are welcome. Just bring your sportswear and good energy!**
🌊 Musandam Day Escape: One Trip. Everything You Need ✨
Sometimes the best thing you can do… is disappear for a day. Leave the city behind — and trade it for open water, mountain views, salty air, and unforgettable moments 🌞🌊
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Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
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Full-day escape to recharge, explore, and connect with amazing people who are looking for the same thing you are — a break from the ordinary.
* 🎶 Food, Music, and amazing vibes
🐬 Dhow Cruise & Dolphin watching
🤿 Snorkeling, Swimming & Fishing
🚣 Banana, Speedboat & Kayaking
🏝️ Haffah Beach & Cave visit
And the best part? You’re not doing it alone. Strangers turn into friends… and moments turn into real connections.
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Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
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Cruise through dramatic landscapes, swim in crystal-clear waters, and explore the coastline in a way that feels effortless and refreshing.
* Return dhared transport from Dubai
Water, coffee, tea, fruits and buffet lunch
Tea with snacks & biscuits
Snorkeling gear & life jackets
Towels, basic shower & toilet facilities
Music system onboard
A chance to slow down, breathe, and reconnect — with nature, and with a like-minded group.
Leave with a **full heart**, new friends you didn’t expect, and that calm, hopeful feeling that only a day like this can give.
**How to Join:**
1. RSVP on Meetup
2. [Join WhatsApp group (+971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)
*Just like any event, slots are limited. RSVP and complete your registration at the earliest.*
Happy Adventure!
JK BADMINTON ADULTS TRAINING SESSION
JOIN US FOR LEARNING AND GROWING IN BADMINTON SKILLS WITH ADVANCED PLAYERS AND PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS.
Contact - 0563749353
Fees : Court + Shuttle Cost + Training
Transportation Support is available.
Salalah Uncovered: Beaches, Mountains & Amazing People 🌊🏔️
This Eid … don’t just take time off! Go on a journey with new friends.
Let's escape into a world where mountains touch the clouds, waterfalls flow through valleys, and the Arabian Sea meets dramatic cliffs.
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Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
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An unforgettable experience for adventure lovers, explorers, and people craving something real this holiday season.
* 🏔️ Exploring the misty mountains of Jabal Samhan
🌴 Walking through coconut plantations and local souqs
🌊 Watching powerful ocean blowholes at Mughsail Beach
💦 Discovering waterfalls and turquoise lakes at Wadi Darbat
🏰 Visiting ancient castles and hidden coastal towns
🚍 Bonding during scenic road-trip moments across Oman
From overnight desert drives under starry skies to tropical landscapes that feel nothing like the Gulf … this is the kind of trip that surprises you every single day.
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Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
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Salalah is unlike anywhere else in the region! One moment you’re driving through endless desert highways … the next you’re surrounded by lush green mountains, coconut plantations, ocean viewpoints, and cool mountain air.
🌄 **ATTRACTIONS INCLUDED**
* **Wadi Darbat**: Explore the most famous valley in Dhofar, featuring seasonal waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and lush greenery.
* **Jabal Samhan**: Stand at the highest mountain range in the region for a dramatic "above the clouds" canyon experience.
* **Taqa Castle**: Step back in time at this beautifully preserved 19th-century fort and heritage site.
* **Anti-Gravity Point**: Experience a fascinating optical illusion where vehicles appear to roll uphill on their own.
* **Ittin Mountain**: Enjoy panoramic mountain views and visit the sacred Nabi Ayub (Prophet Job's) Tomb.
* **Ayn Jarziz**: Relax at natural limestone springs nestled within the misty landscape of the Khareef season.
* **Mughsail Beach**: Witness the powerful natural geysers at the Blowholes and explore the historic Marneef Cave.
* **Mirbat Town**: Discover the ancient port city known for its historic architecture and scenic coastal views.
* **Al Haffa Souq**: Immerse yourself in the scent of authentic frankincense and shop for traditional Omani handicrafts.
* **Nabi Imran Tomb**: Visit one of the world's longest tombs, a site of significant spiritual and historical importance.
This trip blends nature, culture, scenic road journeys, adventure, relaxation, and social vibes all together.
Everything is organized for you — transportation, accommodation, guided experiences, and local exploration — so you can simply enjoy the trip 🚍🌴
**How to Join:**
1. RSVP on Meetup
2. [Join WhatsApp group (+971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)
*Just like any event, slots are limited. RSVP and complete your registration at the earliest.*
Happy Adventure!
Badminton queing for all levels Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Don't have a group, completely fine. badminton sessions for all levels..
Aed 45 for two hours,
aed 28 for one hour
come and play with us. teams will beade on levels to have exciting matched
contact no +971 50 6658 933
join below WhatsApp group for regular updates.
[https://chat.whatsapp.com/L5XeBmwIJ33GNRli4CF7Bc](https://chat.whatsapp.com/L5XeBmwIJ33GNRli4CF7Bc)
Trails Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
The Whispering Woodlands Trail
**🥾 Difficulty:** Beginner-friendly scenic loop with gentle elevation, great views, and suitability for ages 12+.
**📍 Distance:** 8–10 km
**⏱ Duration:** 2–3 hours
**🗺 Plan:** Allow a 30–45-minute drive from Dubai to the meeting point. The hike starts at 5:30 AM.
**Hike Preparation**
**🎒 What to Bring**
* 🧥 **Layers** — Wear full sleeves for protection against sun.
* 💧 **Water** — Carry 2 litres plus energy drinks or juice to replenish salts
* 👟 **Footwear** — Proper footwear is essential for sandy terrain
* 🍎 **Snacks** — Fruits, dry fruits, or energy bars to keep you fuelled
**Transportation**
* **🚗 Any car can reach the hike start point — self-drive recommended.**
1. 🙋**No car? Let the organizers know — We might be able to help you find a seat with someone else.**
**Inclusions**
* **✅ Lead guide, directions & support throughout the hike.**
**Exclusions**
* **❌ Food & drinks — Self-catering event, bring your own.**
* **❌ Gear & equipment — Bring your own.**
**Disclaimer**: Standard AE disclaimer and terms of membership apply. Neither Adventure Emarat/Adventure Eagles nor any of its event leaders/members take any responsibility or indemnify the participants against any injury, loss or damage suffered by any participant during the event. Therefore, please assess the fitness & capability of yourself, your team & your vehicle before you join any AE event.
Please understand and remember that YOU are the best person to safeguard your well-being and safety. Hence YOU have to take full responsibility for the same.
Team Adventure Eagles
Sunset Summit: Easy Mountain Hike in Hatta
Join us for an exhilarating mountain hike designed to create lasting memories and forge new friendships!
Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
Experience the thrill of the outdoors, take in breathtaking views, and witness a stunning sunrise from the summit.
**🌄 Hike to Amazing Views and Sunrise Magic**
Set out in the early morning hours and embark on a guided hike through scenic trails that lead to the mountain’s peak.
As dawn breaks, watch the first light paint the sky in hues of pink and gold, offering a spectacular sunrise panorama that will leave you in awe.
**👫 Meet Fellow Adventurers**
Connect with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and build meaningful relationships with people who share your passion for adventure.
Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or new to the trails, this event is the perfect way to make new friends and enjoy shared experiences.
**🍃 Experience More than Just a Hike:**
Beyond the physical benefits of hiking, this event offers a rejuvenating escape from the daily grind.
Reconnect with nature, clear your mind, and gain a fresh perspective as you trek through trails surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.
Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
Let the peaceful ambiance of the outdoors wash over you, leaving you feeling refreshed and inspired.
**🌿 Fun and Camaraderie:**
Bond with fellow participants as you navigate the trail, share stories, and enjoy moments of laughter and support.
Celebrate your accomplishment at the summit with group photos, snacks, and a sense of collective achievement.
Register and get more details! No late confirmations
**[Join WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
**What to expect?**
* Incredible Scenic Views
* Refreshing Outdoor Experience
* Opportunities to Network and Make Friends
* Fun, Fitness, and Fresh Air
**Hike Details:**
* **Level**: Beginner to Beginner+ (8 KM distance)
* **Trail**: Loop Donkey trail, Red,Green and black trails.
*Don't miss out on this chance to be part of an adventure that will leave you inspired and energized.*
**How to Join:**
1. RSVP on Meetup
2. **[Join WhatsApp group (+971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/dubai-adventure-meetup-events)**
*Lace up your hiking boots, pack your essentials, and come along for a mountain hike that promises amazing views and a stunning sunrise.*
*Just like any event, slots are limited. RSVP and complete your registration at the earliest.*
Happy Hiking 🥾
SBC Speakers, Podcasters, Authors & Trainers Super Connect
**🚀 Elevate Your Influence – Exclusive Networking for Speakers, Authors & Trainers!**
Are you ready to **network UP** and connect with high-caliber experts who can open doors to new opportunities? This isn't just another networking event—it's a **curated gathering of like-minded professionals** where **every connection counts.**
🔹 **Expand Your Knowledge** – Exchange insights with top speakers, authors, and trainers.
🔹 **Unlock New Business Opportunities** – Collaborate, share ideas, and discover potential partnerships.
🔹 **Boost Your Referrals & Visibility** – Build relationships with industry peers who can recommend and elevate you.
What makes this event different? **Limited attendance** ensures **you meet everyone**, eliminating wasted time and maximizing real results. No missed connections—just **powerful conversations that matter.**
📅 **Secure Your [Spot Now](https://www.strategicbusinessconnect.com/networking-opportunities) – Spaces Are Limited!**
Let’s build powerful connections and grow together.
* Get and give advice
* Build collaborations
* Build your contact base
* Meet clients and suppliers
[Book HERE](https://www.strategicbusinessconnect.com/networking-opportunities)
In our previous sessions, some of our attendees shared why they love SBC LIVE Super Connect:
[Neil Hamp Adams](https://youtube.com/shorts/BAw4KYqLbag?feature=share)
[Abhishek Chatterjee](https://youtube.com/shorts/BAw4KYqLbag?feature=share)
[Dina Chautan](https://youtube.com/shorts/Np7KR6RRdls?feature=share)
[Mandy Priestly](https://youtube.com/shorts/Ls99W3Zep74?feature=share)
[Yujin Koola](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_6pi1mIJZFY)
There is a fee for this event because we find it attracts more motivated and successful type business owners, and let's face it, we all want to network up and not down!
Only 195aed +VAT There is no entrance on the door because we prepare in advance to maximise the effect and send tips. If you are an SBC VIP remember to apply your discount code
Details and [book your place ](https://www.strategicbusinessconnect.com/networking-opportunities)
Vibe Sanctuary | Journey Across Waterfalls of Angola
On the coast of West Africa to the north of Namibia along the Atlantic Ocean, packed with diamonds, and oil, spread across green savannahs, tropical jungles, and coastal deserts, beating to the rhythms of semba, rivet, and kizomba, and **thundering waterfalls from Luanda to Cabo Ledo**, **Angola is where the bold go to dance and seekers of adventure find the final frontier of African discovery!**
[https://vimeo.com/840793641](https://vimeo.com/840793641)
With only Portugal and Brazil having more Portuguese speakers, Angola’s capital is like taking a walk down the streets of Lisbon with the beats of Brazil around every corner café and the Fortaleza de Miguel and the Iron Palace to remind you of a colonial legacy dating to the 16th century.
One of the **largest waterfalls in Africa**, fed by the Cassoco Hills and the Catumbela and Lucala Rivers at the, the Kalandula Falls drop 105 meters down with **570m3/s of water** raging over the rocks. We’ll earn our views from above and below, getting sprayed at the foot of the falls and taking in the enormity of the drop from the trails above.
The Black Rocks of Pungo Andongo, a mystical place full of myths and legends, according to the locals this was once the capital of the Kingdom of Ndongo, with the footprints of her monarch Queen Ginga, carved into the rocks. These **extensive monolithic formations, millions of years old**, jut out of the savannah in black towers, with the commune of Pungo-Andongo all that remains of this ancient kingdom and the ruins of the Fortress of Pungo-Angongo from the days of Portuguese colonialism still haunting this mysterious place.
With Kuduro, Kizomba, Semba, and Tarrachinha beats from the high savannahs to the beaches of Cabo Ledo, Angolan safari in Kissama, and **rapids and waterfalls along raging rivers all the way to the Atlantic, it’s a little Brazil, a dash of Portugal,** **and a lot of African Angola!**
**Let’s go!!**
**Day 1 // Arrival to Luanda**
After arrival and immigration formalities, check in to hotel before looking around Luanda, one of the oldest Portuguese colonial cities in Africa! We’ll pass by a few monuments and other curiosities before we head to hotel for check-in, dinner, and rest.
**Day 2 // Malanje and Kalandula Falls**
After early breakfast of fuba bread and funge, we’ll hit the road to small community of Cacuso before we reach Malanje and nearby Kallandula Falls. We’ll check-in to hotel and take a quick break before heading to the foot of the falls and few other viewpoints. We’ll finish the day at sunset with dinner view of the falls!
**Day 3 // Pedras Negras do Pungo Andongo**
With the sound of the falls as our alarm clock, we’ll get up for early breakfast and head to the Black Rocks at Pungo Andongo, millions of years in the making and spread over the wide savannahs of western Angola, we’ll explore these mesmerizing formations before lunch and then onwards to Musseleje Falls, a rare sight as it’s rather difficult to access. After a few treks and trails, we’ll head back to hotel for dinner and rest.
**Day 4 // Sumbe to Cabo Ledo**
After breakfast and check-out, we hit the road to Sumbe, along the way we’ll explore the rapids of Binga Falls and stop at few villages nearby. Visit Kumbira Forest reserve community and continue to spectacular Sassa Cave. We’ll reach Cabo Ledo beach resort a the time for sunset.
**Day 5 // Kissama Park to Mussulo**
We make an early start to Kissama National Park for safari across Baobab savannah! We’ll take quick boat trip before lunch in Calumbo, a destination for many pilgrims. We’ll continue on to Mussulo island for yet another sunset on the beach and check-in to hotel for dinner and rest.
**Day 6 // Mussulo Island**
Today we ll take a relaxing boat trip to explore this wonderful, tropical island, followed by visit in iconic Kazunga Church and Flamigo Bay. Accomodation at Mussulo Beach Resort.
**Day 7 // Moon Rocks + Ships Graveyard - Departure**
We’ll make a quick stop at Moon Rocks view point with short walk inside, followed by famous Ships Graveyard and last minute souvenirs before transfer to airport for flight home.
**Grade:** Easy – available to everyone
**Accomo & meals:** comfy hotels & lodges – double sharing. Restaurant meals excluded.
**Cost: 6820 AED** excl. flight, **until May 20th.**
**Flights:** Emirates direct at 4700 AED.
**[Visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Angola):** Most of passports visa free, otherwise e-visa.
See yah in Angola x
Trekkup Crew
[Whatsapp 050484823](https://wa.me/971504848238) / [docs@trekkup.com](docs@trekkup.com)
[Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup](https://linktr.ee/trekkup)
Trails Events Near You
Connect with your local Trails community
Sharon Woods HIKE
Hi ladies. Let's hike the edward thomas trail, lake trail , spring creek and a short walk on the multi purpose trail. This is one large loop . Wear your shoe of choice.
Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. 4.2 miles in length .
Sharon Woods HIKE
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.
Hike Char-Mar Ridge Park
This is a small but pretty park with a 1.7-mile loop. We will walk it 2 times. It goes along a ridge and has moderate elevation changes.
Trails & Ales! Chestnut Ridge Metro Park / BrewDog DogTap
**History**
[Chestnut Ridge Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/chestnut-ridge/) is historically significant because it sits on a 300-million-year-old outcropping of Blackhand sandstone. Geographically recognized as the very first foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, the ridge rises 1,116 feet above sea level. Long before European settlement, the land served as a sacred site for ancient civilizations. The park contains the Old Maid's Orchard Mound, an eight-foot-tall burial mound constructed by the Adena culture between 1000 B.C. and 100 B.C. This ancient landmark has remained largely intact and is now protected on the National Register of Historic Places.
The documented modern history of the land began with an official survey conducted by Ebenezer Buckingham in 1801. Original land deeds of sale from this period notably bear the signatures of United States Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In the 1830s, Irish laborers arrived at the ridge to quarry its rich Blackhand sandstone. The blocks they hewed were used to build the crucial locks for the nearby Ohio and Erie Canal. Remnants of this early sandstone quarrying operation can still be spotted by sharp-eyed hikers along the modern trails.
Agricultural transformation defined the ridge throughout the mid-to-late 19th century. Settlers discovered that the high elevation created a natural air flow that prevented late-season frost damage to crops. Extensive fruit orchards were planted across the slopes between 1860 and 1880. One notable orchard was established by John Wagner, a Spanish-American War veteran who chose the ridge specifically for its proximity to the bustling Columbus market. The park's current name pays homage to the massive American chestnut trees that once dominated the ridgeline before a devastating ecological blight wiped them out in the early 20th century.
The conservation story of the modern 486-acre park began in March 1962. The Metro Parks board announced land acquisition plans to block developers from building a residential housing development called Chestnut Heights. Director-Secretary Walter A. Tucker advocated heavily for the purchase, citing the ridge's immense value as a scenic overlook for central Ohio. The district systematically purchased multiple agricultural parcels over the next two decades. After operating strictly as undeveloped farmland through the 1970s, Chestnut Ridge Metro Park officially opened to the public on December 18, 1988.
In recent decades, the park has evolved from a quiet hiking spot into a premier regional destination for outdoor sports. A major turning point occurred in 2010 when the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO) partnered with the park district to develop new infrastructure. Volunteers worked extensively to construct a single-track mountain bike trail, which officially opened in October 2011. An expert gravity and flow trail featuring advanced jumps was later integrated into the loop in 2016. Today, the park successfully balances its deep ancient, industrial, and agricultural history with active recreation.
**Map of the Park**
Here is a [map of Chestnut Ridge](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CHR_map_1980px_2026.jpg).
**Summary**
For this event, we will hike the Ridge, Meadows, and Homesite Trails, and Law's Lane, which is unmarked on some maps. None of these trails is individually very long, so we will hike a few permutations and loops until we get in 4-5 miles. The hike will be moderately strenuous.
**Where We'll Meet**
Drive to the rearmost picnic area at the back of the park. There's a latrine here, but there's no water fountain here or anywhere else at Chestnut Ridge. I strongly recommend you bring some water of your own, at least for after the hike.
Cell service at the park is spotty, although your GPS will get you there just fine. The map pin I've provided here is exactly where we'll be meeting and should be able to be used directly in Google Maps, although Chestnut Ridge isn't big and you're unlikely to get lost here.
**After the Hike**
Afterward, we'll head over to [BrewDog DogTap](https://drink.brewdog.com/usa/brewdog-dogtap-columbus) for [drinks](https://usa.brewdog.com/pages/brewdog-lineup) and [food](https://usa.brewdog.com/cdn/shop/files/DogTap_Menu_2025_65e1ff8b-97d4-4f26-80f1-68321d482025.pdf?v=17356939232910340498). They also have an outdoor area that's extremely popular.
I've had their burgers and their pizza, and I think they're both very good. I also really like their [Cold Beer](https://usa.brewdog.com/products/cold-beer-2024) (that's its actual name), which is their American light lager.
BrewDog's actual address is [96 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/96+Gender+Rd,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88387c06afa21a85:0x804c611d373d8c54?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and they have a large, free parking lot. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Hi Ladies , Let's Hike Blendon Woods Metro Park .
We will meet at the nature center parking lot.
Hiking about 4 miles completing the blendon woods loop and the sugarbush trail .
Wear appropriate footwear and bring water for hydration .
Rays Of Light Spiritualist Church Service
Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel.
Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger.
Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life.
Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.



















