How to find hiking partners in Greensboro and Winston-Salem
The Triad has Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock within an hour, 30+ miles of trails around Greensboro's lakes, and a few groups that hike every couple of weeks. Here's how to find people to hike with.
Updated November 2026
Finding people to hike with in the Triad
The Triad sits in a sweet spot. Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock are close enough for a morning hike, and Greensboro and Winston-Salem both have long trails inside the city. What’s harder is finding people. The local hiking groups are smaller than in Raleigh or Charlotte, so a lot of Triad hikers end up going solo or not going at all.
Smaller groups have an upside: you’ll see the same faces quickly, which is how hiking friends actually form. And if you want a partner for one specific trail, post it in Ridgemate and we’ll ping you when someone nearby wants to do it too.
Hiking groups in Greensboro & Winston-Salem
These groups are run by locals and are free or low cost. Check each group's page for its next hike, since schedules change.
Triad Hiking Group (Ages 20 to 35)
Hikes of about 3 to 6 miles on trails and greenways in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, roughly every two weeks. All skill levels welcome.
Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club
A Greensboro-area club that organizes hikes, outings and social events, including a recurring Thursday walk and dinner. See the club's Join a Hike page for upcoming trips.
Good trails for hiking with someone new near Greensboro & Winston-Salem
Busy, well marked trails with clear parking are the easiest place to meet a new hiking partner for the first time.
Ledge Spring and Little Pinnacle Overlook
Rocky ledges below the Big Pinnacle and a short walk to the best viewpoint. Easy to pick as a first hike together.
Grindstone Trail
A real climb from the bottom of the mountain. Good for a longer morning once you've hiked together once.
Hanging Rock State Park
The Hanging Rock summit trail, waterfalls and Moore's Wall. Popular on weekends, so the main lot is an easy meeting spot if you go early.
Salem Lake Trail
A mostly flat dirt and gravel loop in town. Easy to walk side by side and talk the whole way.
Greensboro watershed trails
Beginner trails like Nat Greene, Osprey and Townsend, plus the intermediate Laurel Bluff. Most are out-and-back, so you can turn around whenever you want.
How to find a hiking partner in Greensboro & Winston-Salem with Ridgemate
- Post the hike you want to do. Pick a trail (or paste an AllTrails link) and a day, or mark it as anytime.
- Go about your week. When someone nearby wants to hike the same trail around the same time, you both get a ping.
- Plan it in the group chat. Sort out the meetup spot and the carpool, then go.
Ridgemate is free on iPhone. Women and non-binary hikers can choose to match only with each other. It's new in Greensboro & Winston-Salem, so the more people post the hikes they actually want to do, the faster matches happen.
Meeting a hiking partner for the first time
- Pick a popular trail for the first hike and meet at the trailhead rather than carpooling.
- Tell a friend where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you expect to be back.
- Agree on pace, distance, and a turnaround time before you start.
- Carry your own water, food, layers, and a charged phone, even on a short hike.
- If the vibe is off at the trailhead, it's fine to call it. A good partner will understand.
Greensboro & Winston-Salem hiking FAQ
Are there hiking groups in Greensboro?
Yes. The Triad Hiking Group (ages 20 to 35) hikes about every two weeks around Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, and the Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club organizes hikes and social outings in the Greensboro area.
What are the best hikes near Winston-Salem?
Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock state parks are both within about 45 minutes. In town, the Salem Lake Trail is a 7-mile loop around the lake.
How do I find someone to hike Pilot Mountain or Hanging Rock with?
Post the trail and day in Ridgemate. When someone nearby wants the same trail around the same time, you both get a ping and a group chat opens to plan it.
Where can beginners hike in Greensboro?
The watershed trails around Lake Brandt and Lake Townsend have beginner-rated trails like Nat Greene, Osprey and Townsend. They're mostly out-and-back, so it's easy to keep a hike short.
Find someone to hike with in Greensboro & Winston-Salem
Post the trail you've been wanting to do. We'll ping you when someone nearby wants in.
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