How to find hiking partners in Raleigh
Raleigh has great trails 15 minutes from downtown. Finding someone to hike them with is the harder part. Here are the local groups that actually meet up, the trails that work best for a first hike with someone new, and how to find a partner for a specific trail.
Updated November 2026
Why it’s hard to find hiking partners in Raleigh
A lot of people in Raleigh moved here for work or school, and most friend groups run on busy calendars. The usual pattern is a group chat that says “we should hike sometime” and a hike that never happens. Meanwhile, plenty of people would rather not do a longer trail alone, especially the first time.
The good news is that the Triangle has an unusually active hiking scene for a metro area, with parks inside the city limits and big groups that meet almost every weekend. The trick is either joining a group that already hikes the trails you like, or finding one or two people who want to do the same trail you do.
Hiking groups in Raleigh
These groups are run by locals and are free or low cost. Check each group's page for its next hike, since schedules change.
Triangle Hiking Club (Ages 21 to 36)
One of the biggest hiking groups in the area, with 6,500+ members on Meetup. Most hikes are around 4 miles at parks and greenways like Lake Johnson, Shelley Lake and Bond Park, usually on Sunday afternoons, and the whole point is meeting new people.
Women of the Triangle Hiking Club
A nonprofit hiking club for women in the Triangle with free weekly meetups. Meetup details are posted in the club's Facebook group, linked from its website.
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
The statewide trail runs right along Falls Lake north of Raleigh. Friends of the MST organizes volunteer trail workdays, which are one of the easiest ways to meet people who hike a lot.
REI Raleigh and Durham events
The local REI stores list group hikes and classes on their events pages. Filter by the Raleigh or Durham store.
Good trails for hiking with someone new near Raleigh
Busy, well marked trails with clear parking are the easiest place to meet a new hiking partner for the first time.
Sal's Branch Trail
An easy, popular loop that's a good first hike with someone new. It's short enough that pace differences don't matter much.
Company Mill Trail
Rolling hills, Crabtree Creek and the old mill site. Long enough for a real conversation, and the Reedy Creek lot has restrooms and water.
Sycamore Trail
A longer loop along Sycamore Creek for when you've found someone who wants a bigger morning.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake
Point-to-point sections along the lake are a nice change from loops. With two people and two cars, you can shuttle and hike one way.
Lake Johnson Park
Paved and dirt paths around the lake, close to NC State and Cary. Local hiking groups use it often because it's easy to find and park.
How to find a hiking partner in Raleigh 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 Raleigh, 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.
Raleigh hiking FAQ
Are there free hiking groups in Raleigh?
Yes. The Triangle Hiking Club (ages 21 to 36) and Women of the Triangle Hiking Club both run free meetups, and the local REI stores post group events. Volunteer trail workdays with Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail are free too.
Where can beginners hike with a group in Raleigh?
Umstead State Park is the easiest starting point. Sal's Branch Trail is a 2.8-mile loop, and Company Mill is a 5.8-mile loop with restrooms and water at the Reedy Creek lot. Lake Johnson and Shelley Lake are good flat options in town.
How do I find a hiking partner in Raleigh for a specific trail?
Post the trail and day you want in Ridgemate. When someone nearby wants to hike the same trail around the same time, you both get notified and a group chat opens so you can plan the meetup.
Is hiking a good way to make friends in Raleigh?
It's one of the easiest. Hiking gives you something to do and talk about, and groups like the Triangle Hiking Club exist mainly so people can meet. Showing up to the same group a few times is usually what turns trail acquaintances into friends.
Find someone to hike with in Raleigh
Post the trail you've been wanting to do. We'll ping you when someone nearby wants in.
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