Join a walking club for a more social outdoor experience

Walking and hiking can be a perfect way to get away from it all and everyone. Peace, quiet and nature can the ideal pursuit if you want to recharge in solitude. But walking does not have to be a lone activity. In the UK we have many different walking clubs catering for all ages and abilities and covering most areas of the UK. The most well-known is the Ramblers Association but there are also numerous other smaller associations and clubs.

Walking clubs can be a good way of keeping up your walking, extending yourself and therefore increasing your physical fitness and well-being. Research shows that spending time outdoors in nature is very beneficial to our physical and mental health and acts as a good counterpoint to our increasingly sedentary and indoor lives. Some walking clubs organise regular walks, perhaps every weekend or every month. You can usually join a few walks to see if you like the club before paying a membership fee.

Being part of a group or club can also help in finding new routes and therefore discovering new places to enjoy. Walks can vary in length from a few miles to over ten miles for the more hardy walkers. You should be able to check the route and whether it is suitable for you before the walk itself. Being in a group you can learn from and be supported by others. Another benefit of walking in a group is that it increases your chances of learning more about the area you are walking in and the history of the area than you would walking alone.

Joining one of the many of the walking clubs in the UK also means you can meet new people, make new friends and expand your social life. It it likely that you will meet people with similar interest in nature, being active and enjoying the outdoors. Walking in a group, it is possible to chat along the way and you may find you have more common interests and points of view. More social opportunities may be provided on the walks as they may stop en route or end the walk with a drink and snack at a cafe or pub.

If walking is a new hobby or activity you want to take up you could also get invaluable advice from more experienced club members. Therefore you can make sure you purchase in advance and are well-equipped with the necessary womens outdoor clothes and mens outdoor clothes for the weather expected.


Whites is a friendly small business passionate about walking and enjoying the outdoors. They can advise outdoor clothes and equipment and provide for all your walking and rambling needs.