Walking Groups For Over 50s: We've Handpicked The Best Groups Near You
Regardless of your age, there’s so much to love about walking. It’s free, easy to do, a great opportunity to socialise and a lovely way to remain fit and healthy. So it's no surprise that there are numerous walking groups for over 50s across the UK.
Use our navigation links below to check out some of the UK’s best walking groups and clubs for older adults.
Looking for care?
Use our directory to find a care home near you.
Find a walking club for over 50s near you:
- London and the South East
- South West
- The Midlands
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- North of England
- Scotland
- Wales
The Ramblers
The Ramblers is a charitable organisation that organises group walks across Britain.
The Ramblers is one of the easier places to find a walking group near you. All you need to do is head onto their website and enter your postcode or location, and you’ll then see a range of local walking groups to get involved with.
Every year, around 300,000 people take part in Ramblers' organised walks, including thousands of older adults. Members can join a walk anywhere in the country, with new walkers always being warmly welcomed.
Time Outdoors
Time Outdoors is another brilliant organisation that makes it really easy to find walking clubs for over 50s near you.
Just like with The Ramblers, all you need to do is enter your location on their website and you’ll be given a map, complete with pins showing walking clubs in your area. Though their list isn’t quite as expansive as The Ramblers, Time Outdoors are definitely still worth checking out.
Other Walking Clubs in the UK
The United Kingdom is full of walking groups and clubs, many of which offer weekly walks which are open to people of all ages and fitness levels - including those over 50 and older adults. We’ve highlighted some of the UK’s best walking groups for you to check out, region by region.
London and the South East
London Strollers
The London Strollers are perfect for over 50s and older adults, emphasising walking at a leisurely pace, with routes between two and seven miles long. This group is also ideal for older adults who are new to walking or would prefer to go on shorter walks. You can try out the London Strollers three times before you’ll be asked to join as a member.
An example of a route the London Strollers would go on is from Wandsworth to Hammersmith (5.5 miles), or a hike around Abbey Wood, Thamesmead and Plumstead (5 miles).
Saturday Walkers
The Saturday Walkers are a London & South East-based hiking club. South East England is crisscrossed by public footpaths that’ll take you through wildflower meadows and heathland, alongside historic castles and houses, into cosy pubs and next to idyllic beaches. All of their walks can be reached in an hour or so by train from London.
The Saturday Walkers have several club walks each week which are free to join, along with 400+ free-to-use public transport-friendly walks which can be downloaded. Some of these walks include Princes Risborough to Wendover and Berwick to Eastbourne.
North London Rambling Club
The North London Rambling Club organises varied rambles and walks past points of interest. These walks in London and the Home Counties take place each Saturday and sometimes during the week. All walks can be reached via public transport, making them very accessible for older adults. Walks range from 6 to 15+ miles and are a fantastic way to escape to the countryside while getting some exercise.
When heading off on a hike with the North London Rambling Club, some of the routes you may go on include Romford to Harold Wood (around 9.5 miles), Dartford to Otford (around 12.5 miles) and Cheshunt to Broxbourne (around 9 miles).
South West
South West Trekking and Hiking Group
The friendly and sociable Southwest Trekking and Hiking Group are primarily located in Bath, with walks taking place across South West England and into the mountains of Wales, including places like the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, Avebury, Somerset, Exmoor, Mendip and beyond.
Walks are graded as either ‘Leisurely’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strenuous’, depending on the difficulty of terrain and length. Walks typically range between 5 and 12 miles, with some as long as 20 miles.
Cornwall and Devon Long Distance Walkers Association
The Long Distance Walkers Association has 40 groups across the county, and their Cornwall and Devon branch is one of the most popular! Here, you’ll be able to enjoy some truly stunning scenery, including walks through Dartmoor National Park, Exmoor National Park, along the South West Coastal Path and much more.
Walks begin at around the 15-mile mark and can be as long as 100 miles - it all depends on how far you’d like to walk. Membership begins from £15 and is aimed at people of all ages who enjoy long-distance walking, including people aged 50 and over.
The Midlands
Midland Hillwalkers
A group of enthusiastic walkers who are generally aged between 20 and 70, the Midland Hillwalkers enjoy walking or scrambling anywhere that you’ll find hills and mountains. This group walks one Sunday a month and usually travels by coach to numerous beautiful locations which are within easy reach of the West Midlands.
They mainly head to areas within Wales and the Peak District - such as Buxton, Bakewell and Glossop.
Fifty Plus Ramblers in the West Midlands
Formed in 2000, the Fifty Plus Rambling Group is based in the West Midlands. The number of members is capped at 40, and membership is open to people aged 50 and over. Walks take place most Mondays and usually begin in the Birmingham city centre.
Walks are created by individual members, so are suitable for people of varying ages and fitness levels. Walks vary between five and nine miles, with popular locations including Alcester, Malvern Hills and Kenilworth.
Yorkshire and the Humber
Craven Ramblers
The Craven Ramblers enjoy regular walks in and around the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park. Every walk has an experienced leader, with members being friendly people from all walks of life and with a wide span of ages. The Craven Ramblers usually walk between eight and ten miles on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month. On the third weekend of each month, they have a more leisurely paced walk between five and six miles. Walks normally end with a well-earned cup of tea and a slice of cake in a nearby tearoom!
Yorkshire and the Humber is full of gorgeous places to explore, including Craven, Hebden, Skipton, Saltaire and Shipley (which is on the outskirts of Bradford).
North Yorkshire Walkers
The North Yorkshire Walkers are a walking group for people living in and around Northallerton, Thirsk and the surrounding areas. If you’re willing to travel then this walking club also welcomes other walkers from further afield. The North Yorkshire Walkers hike every Sunday throughout the year and tend to mainly walk in the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale, North York Moors and Teesdale. They also sometimes venture out to the beautiful coastal areas of Staithes, Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Whitby.
North of England
Northumbria Walking Group
The Northumbria Walking Group was originally founded to encourage young walkers into joining the Ramblers community. With that being said, this Northumbria-based walking club has no age limits, meaning over 50s are welcome. Members are based in Newcastle, along with surrounding areas like Durham, Sunderland and Northumberland.
North East England is packed with idyllic spots to explore, including Hadrian’s Wall, the Cheviots, the Northumberland Coast, North Yorkshire and the Tyne Valley. Walks range from gentle 5-8 mile rambles to longer 11-16 mile all-day hikes.
Manchester Weekend Walkers
This Ramblers’ walking group is aimed at people living in and around Greater Manchester. The Manchester Weekend Walkers welcome people of all ages and from all walks of life. The majority of members are considered to be in the middle of their working lives.
Through this walking group, you can take part in several walks each month, along with fun weekends away to locations across the UK.
Some of the most popular locations for walks in North West England you can enjoy through the Manchester Weekend Walkers include Salford, Burnley, Sale, Macclesfield, Knutsford and Marple.
Scotland
Glasgow Ramblers
Glasgow Ramblers is a friendly walking club for people of all ages who enjoy walking in the countryside and through cities alike, including those aged 50 and over. Through this Glasgow walking group, you can meet like-minded people who share your passion for walking and exploring. Walks are available for people with various levels of experience and fitness. Walks are usually arranged at the weekend, with occasional mid-week walks.
Past walks have seen members head through idyllic parts of Scotland like Kirkintilloch, Lanark, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire - with North Ayrshire being one of the best places to retire in Scotland.
Aberdeen Hillwalking Club
One of the oldest groups in the Aberdeen area, the Aberdeen Hillwalking Club was formed all the way back in the 1940s by staff of the then-nationalised telephone service. This club has an inclusive membership with members hailing from all walks of life and is open for anyone to join.
Aberdeen could hardly be better located for offering walkers and hikers some gorgeous locations to explore, thanks to being right next to Cairngorms National Park. Walks will take you through various areas in North East Scotland, including Littlemill, Crathie, Invermark and Chapeltown.
Wales
Cardiff Ramblers
Cardiff Ramblers are the area’s local Rambler group. They organise walks of all distances across South Wales and beyond. Non-members are encouraged to join for a few walks. You can then become a fully-fledged member once you start regularly heading off on hikes with the club.
When walking with the Cardiff Ramblers, places you may visit include Whitchurch in Shropshire, Garth, Caerphilly and of course the city of Cardiff itself.
Abergele Rambling Club
One of several walking clubs in North Wales, the Abergele Rambling Club was founded in 1987 by a newly-retired group of friends who were active and wanted to explore the beautiful countryside of North Wales.
Abergele is in the middle of North Wales, making it ideally placed to explore the entire region - from Anglesey to Flintshire and from Llangollen to Caernarvon. This includes the Anglesey Coast and Northern Snowdonia - both of which are simply stunning - as are most walks this group goes on.
Why Over 50s Should Walk For Health
Walking offers numerous benefits to physical and mental health. These benefits apply to people of all ages, including older adults and those aged over 50.
Better circulation and breathing rate
There are numerous health benefits to walking, including warding off heart disease, lowering blood pressure and increasing your breathing rate - meaning oxygen will travel faster through your bloodstream. All of this means you’ll have more energy and your body will heal faster.
Stronger bones, muscles and joints
Walking limits the loss of bone mass for older people with osteoporosis. Walking also tones your legs and abdominal muscles, allowing you to remain independent for longer. Several studies have even found walking reduces arthritis-related difficulties.
More resistant to coughs and colds
Walking helps protect you during the cold and flu season. Studies have found that elderly adults who walk at least five days a week for 20 or more minutes had much fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less.
Live longer
Research has shown that people in their fifties and sixties who walk regularly are 35% more likely to live longer than people who don’t walk very often. This rises to 45% for older adults with underlying health conditions who regularly exercise.
Enjoy a positive mood and outlook
Walking releases natural painkilling endorphins to the body which will put you in a much better mood. Being in nature and surrounded by fresh air will also go a long way.
Walking is a great way to make new friends as well, with this extra socialisation acting as a natural form of companionship care. In fact, many people use these groups as a way of meeting new people and dating at 50 and over.
Weight loss
Did you know that a brisk 30-minute walk will burn around 200 calories? Over time, calories burnt can lead to pounds dropped. Walking is definitely one of the best ways for older adults to lose weight.
Slow down memory decline
A study of 6,000 women by researchers at the University of California found reduced age-related memory decline in those who walked more. Women who walked 2.5 miles per day had a 17% decline in memory, whereas women who walked less than half a mile per week had a 25% memory decline.
Lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
A study from the University of Virginia Health System found men aged between 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile per day were twice less likely to have dementia and Alzheimer’s than those who walked less than a quarter of a mile per day.
Stay fitter for longer
Walking reduces the likelihood of becoming immobile and less independent as a result. This is especially true for people aged 65 and over.
Searching for an elderly care home can be a stressful and time-consuming operation. Thankfully, we’ve removed much of the difficulty from this process by utilising years of expertise to connect you or your loved ones to the UK’s very best care homes.
Check out Lottie and everything care-related we have to offer!
Join Lottie's online community
Want more advice and guidance like this?
Join Care Space, Lottie's online Facebook community, for expert care support and guidance and to connect with others navigating later living. Because a little support goes a long way.
