This page lists some of the walking groups across the country who use hostels as bases for their walking holidays. Some of these were once YHA Local Groups, the youth hostel associations local hosteling groups, which in many cases founded the original hostels now owned by the YHA.
If you run a walking group that uses hostels (YHA or Independent) and would be interested in having your group listed here, do get in touch.
The Hubberton Hikers
Halifax, West Yorkshire www.hubbertonhikers.com contact Andrew Bradley [email protected]
Hubberton Hikers formed in 2004. Many challenge walks have been completed by group members raisng money for charities,including – The Pennine Way, The Alternative Pennine Way, The Dales Way, The Coast to Coast, South West Coastal path, Calderdale Way, Cleveland Way and the Lyke Wake Walk. If anybody would like further information, please call Andrew Bradley [email protected] 01422 839881 or 07941 072530.
Newport Outdoor Group
Newport Outdoor Group and have 90+ members. www.newportoutdoorgroup.co.uk
A well established walking and social group celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020. They organise a walking weekend every month in different parts of the UK with longer breaks at Easter and New Year. They also run walking or cycling events most weekends and meet every Monday evening throughout the year for a programmed range of walks, slide shows, competitions, quizzes and social events. The group also organises a long distance National Trail walk once a year. It also runs two challenge walks per year in the Brecon Beacons area to raise money for the mountain rescue team. For more information contact Mr. Alan Lucas on [email protected].
Ipswich Outdoor Group
Founded in 1976, we are a friendly group of over 200 members across a broad age range, who regularly meet to enjoy a full, varied outdoor programme, comprising activities such as day and evening walks, cycle rides, runs and similar local outings, alongside trips like weekends to the Peak District or longer UK holidays and overseas. All events, including evening and social meets, are arranged by our members, who seek to plan fun activities for everyone’s enjoyment. Group members organise activities across a range of levels, with something suitable for all. Most events need only average fitness but if you are after anything more strenuous, you will find members with similar interests. Our emphasis is on having fun and meeting people. Most of our members live in Ipswich, but there are also many in Suffolk and further afield. web: www.ipswichoutdoor.org, email: [email protected]
Central London Outdoor Group
CLOG is a friendly outdoor activity group for people living in and around London. We are happy to welcome anyone who enjoys walking, cycling, hillwalking, exploring our countryside and other outdoor activities. The club is run by its members for its members. All members are welcome to organise events. People of any age are welcome to join but the majority of our current members are in their late 30s to 50s. There are typically around four to eight events every week. You are welcome to attend three events to try out the group; after that we ask that you join. The membership fee for one year is £15 for new members. For more information contact Penny Foot at the Central London Outdoor Group https://www.clog.org.uk
Chelmsford YHA Local Group (CYHA), ex-YHA affiliated group
We are an active outdoor group based in Chelmsford, Essex. We go away for the weekend walking, and sometimes cycling, roughly once a month, staying in a mixture of YHA hostels, independent bunkhouses, and occasionally holiday homes. We also walk in and around Essex one Sunday a month, and summer Wednesday evenings. Recent trips have included a weekend in Oxford, August bank holiday in the Elenydd Wilderness, and a week in the Shetland Islands. We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in joining us. Our website is: www.chelmsfordyha.org.uk
Hostelling 50 Plus
Hostelling 50 Plus is a nationwide group for over 50’s who enjoy staying in hostels as a base to explore the countryside and towns, and to socialise with like-minded people. The group (which was previously known as the Over 50’s YHA Group) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018. We arrange hostel visits every month except December, staying in YHA or independent hostels in England and Wales. Members make their own travel arrangements and book their own accommodation in the chosen hostels, unless the group arranges exclusive hire.
There is no set programme – you can pursue your own interests or join other members on walks, visits to places of interest or just potter around the local area. Members self-cater or purchase hostel meals, or may get together with a small group to enjoy a pub meal. The cost of membership is £10 per year. For further information, email Jamie Wood at [email protected].
They also have a Facebook page.
For more information read the accounts of hostel visits by the Hostelling 50 plus group.
Harrogate Fell and Dale Club
The Harrogate Fell and Dale Club was first established in 1942 and is based in the Harrogate area and offers led walks on Sundays all year round and Tuesday evenings between May and July. We have approximately 100 members and have a programme that trys to cater for all walking preferences in twice yearly programmes with a wide variety of events: (i) Sunday walks (all year round), (ii) Tuesday evening walks (summer only), (iii) Friday monthly pub nights (winter only), (iv) Winter social events, (v) Weekends Away. Find out more on www.fellanddale.org.uk
Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club
COPSE (Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club) – we do what our name says! Our beginnings were as Croydon YHA Group in 1934 – the first Local Group to be set up – and we’ve been here ever since. We are a not-for-profit club run by ourselves and for ourselves and offer three free visits before any fee is required (pro rata, during first year of joining). We hold a sociable Club Night every Tuesday evening and have activities on most weekends. Our website is: www.copsecroydon.co.uk
XXL Hillwalking Club (soon to be re-named Aberdeen and Shire Hillwalking Club)
Welcome to the XXL Hillwalking Club based in Aberdeen. Each year the club runs a full and varied programme of hillwalking activities with shared transport arrangements. All walkers are welcome, from the novice to the Munroist.
The annual programme consists of a day walk and a weekend trip each month. The day walks are chosen to be within easy range of Aberdeen, whilst the weekend meets take us to locations all over Scotland. On day walks the whole party normally completes the same route, which will have been publicised in advance by email. On weekend meets we normally split into several groups with differing objectives and levels of speed or difficulty. There is usually something to suit all tastes. Weekend accommodation is usually arranged in walkers’ bunkhouses and hostels, which are mostly basic but comfortable, with showers and kitchens. We sometimes arrange group catering.
During the year the club organises several social gatherings in Aberdeen, such as “The Last Thursday of the Month” in a pub and a summer BBQ. The highlight is our annual dinner at Ballater near Christmas. If you want to find out more, please visit our website at www.xxlhwc.yolasite.com
Leicester Hiking & Hostelling Group (formerly known as Leicester Local YHA Group)
An informal and friendly walking group, comprising people of all backgrounds and abilities. Each year we organise a variety of weekends away, ranging from hard mountain walking to city breaks, usually staying in youth hostels. In addition, we do day walks in the local area and a range of social events. www.hikeandhostel.org.uk
Ealing Outdoor Club
Ealing Outdoor Club was formed in 1941 and we currently have around 60 members. Sunday walks are arranged every week, often in the Chilterns but also in areas such as Hertfordshire and the North Downs, as well as walks local to Ealing. These walks vary in length and degree of difficulty, the grading being explained on our website. Four or five residential trips are arranged each year, usually staying in youth hostels or similar accommodation. Recent locations have been the South Downs, Hawes, Northumberland and Gower. Once a month we meet socially for an evening drink in an Ealing pub. New members are always welcome and may join us for three walks before taking out membership which is currently £15 per year. For contact details, please see the relevant page on our website. www.ealingoutdoorclub.org.uk