Find your Hiking Community this Summer
Itching to get outside, but need someone to go with? Check out these groups that are making it easier to connect in nature.
Summer is well underway in the Pacific Northwest! Perhaps this has you itching to get outside. Hiking can be a great way not only to connect with nature, but also to connect with others. At WTA we know that all kinds of people hike, for all kinds of reasons, seeking all kinds of experiences. Here are a few groups and organizations making it easier to find and connect with your people outside. 
Photo by Sarvinder K.
Trail Bliss
Trail Bliss is a small nonprofit with a mission to “help others build a transformative connection with nature by exploring and engaging with the outdoors in mindful ways.” Founded in February of 2022, Trail Bliss leads hikes which provide opportunities for people to connect in mindful ways and strives to create a safe environment for all participants to grow by blending nature and mindfulness. Sarvinder, Trail Bliss’s founder, says “TrailBliss is a manifestation of my deep reverence for nature and belief in the goodness of humanity.” You can find their calendar, as well as opportunities to volunteer, on the Trail Bliss website.
Photo by Megan Rice
Military Wild Washington
With chapters across the country, Military Wild works to connect military families with one another and the outdoors. They have a strong focus on community, striving to welcome all ages and abilities, and provide an environment where members can feel supported to step out of their comfort zones. Each chapter has ambassadors who work to create connections in their area. Military Wild Washington is currently focused in Western Washington, but welcomes opportunities to expand. Find out more:
Photo by David Hagen
Cascadians
The Cascadians is an outdoor recreation club based in Yakima. Participants engage with one another in a variety of activities, from hiking and backpacking, to snowshoeing and cycling. Within Cascadians, you can choose different groups based on experience and desired activity level. They have an extensive calendar that is sortable by activity, making it easy to find your next adventure. Find out more about becoming a member and joining this community on the Cascadians website.
These are only a few of many opportunities to connect with others in the outdoors. Take a look at this list of hiking groups for more suggestions. Don’t see a group or organization that you think should be on this webpage? Please let us know! Contact Nicole Masih-Theberge at nmasihtheberge@wta.org. You may help others find the connection they’re seeking.
Interested in the work of making the outdoors safe and accessible for all? Check out WTA’s Trails for Everyone campaign! Trails for Everyone acknowledges that all kinds of people want to engage with nature in a variety of ways, and that it’s not always as easy as it should be to find the safe connections with others in nature that everyone deserves.
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