Gay hiking

Gikers is a global LGBTQIA community of outdoor enthusiasts that aims to increase access and engagement of LGBTQIA community members to the outdoors. Join us now and embark on exciting adventures!. Similar to our ongoing features highlighting prominent Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the outdoor world, as well as BIPOC outdoor organizations and groups to support, we have crowdsourced the following list of LGBTQ+ nonprofits, collectives, and groups.

Strap on your best outdoor walking boots and head for the great outdoors with the Gay Mens' Hiking Group. This woodsy gang of dudes takes day trips to nearby mountains, forests and nature trails. Recent trips have included a winter hike in the Hudson Highlands and a vigorous 10 mile hike in Harriman. These seven LGBTQ outdoor groups run outdoor adventure trips for queer people. Some trips are exclusively for queer folks while others welcome allies or take an intersectional approach, like LGBTQIA plus BIPOC participants.

Trips with LGBTQ outdoor groups range in length from day hikes to multi day backcountry trips. 1. The Venture Out Project. 1. Dani Heinrich pulled together a thorough guide for LGBTQ+ hikers who want to connect with others who enjoy hiking treks, camping, nature, and exploring the Great Outdoors. These walks usually take in the sights of towns and cities, and are suitable for most abilities, including those with some accessibility requirements.

They'll usually have a pub or cafe stop. Leisure Walks can have up to 20 or 30 people on them, and you are unlikely to need any special walking equipment. They are a good place to start if you don't have walking experience or prefer a walk that's gentler and where it's easier to chat with others on the way around. These may be longer walks, and may involve walking uphill for a while.

The groups size is smaller, normally 20 or fewer. You will need to have some basic walking equipment such as walking shoes or boots and waterproof clothing.

gay walking group

If you are generally fit and want to do a walk that is more challenging, then a Lowland and Hill walk could be your ideal first event. These are more strenuous, and will typically take a full day. There will be several hundreds of meters of ascent and descent, and the terrain and conditions will normally be more challenging, and the weather can have a much greater impact on the event. The group size will be smaller to reflect the more challenging conditions.

You will need to have more equipment to take part. If you already like hiking in mountainous terrain, these walks may be ideal for you. Mountain walks are often, but not always, found as part of OutdoorLads hostel weekends , simply because the more remote locations can take too much time to get to for them to be practical as day walks, especially on shorter winter days.

Winter Mountain Walks are the most challenging, as you can expect there to be snow and ice and the conditions will be much tougher. As a result, the group size will also be smaller, to enable the event leader to guide the participants safely. You will need to have, or hire, some specialist winter equipment such as crampons and an ice axe. All of our Leaders will be happy to talk you through the challenges of an upcoming walk.

OutdoorLads is committed to ensuring all hikers are safe, by requiring Mountain Walk Leaders to be certified in Outdoor First Aid and trained in group leadership as well as ensuring all bikers wear appropriate safety equipment. They're also offered the chance to complete Mountain Leader ML training. All the kit you need will be details on the event page.

Typically for a Leisure Walk, you won't need any specialist equipment. You'll need a good pair of walking boots for most Lowland and Hill Walks, as well as season-dependent clothing like waterproofs, and a backpack. Mountain Walks and Winter Mountain Walks will require decent walking boots, plenty of layers and a decent jacket to keep you warm at the summit, hat and gloves, and maybe a pair of walking poles if necessary.

Yes, it sure is! We're all gay, bi and trans folks that just enjoy rambling around the beautiful British countryside. No dumb questions and all are welcome! If you decide you still like us which, of course, you will , you can continue as a Pay-As-You-Go Member, or upgrade to Full Membership to get discounted events, retail discounts, and a vote on governance matters at our AGM.

Check out all of our events. What kind of walks do OutdoorLads do? Leisure Walks These walks usually take in the sights of towns and cities, and are suitable for most abilities, including those with some accessibility requirements. Mountain Walks and Winter Mountain Walks These are more strenuous, and will typically take a full day.

When are the next hiking events near me?