Muslim Women's Hiking Groups in the UK: A 2026 List

The fastest-growing segment of UK Muslim outdoor recreation is women-only hiking. Sisters-only hikes, mixed groups with separate turn-outs, and weekend beginner walks across the Lake District, Peak District, Snowdonia and the South East. Here's who is running them in 2026, where to find them, and what to expect from your first walk.

This isn't a directory scraped from social media. Every group below has either led a session we've attended, been recommended by a Badr Adventures hiker, or runs regular public hikes that you can join. We've included contact details, meeting areas, and the practical stuff — pace, terrain, whether kids come along.

Why women-only groups exist

Most Muslim women who want to hike in the UK can join a mixed group just fine. Many do. But a meaningful number — particularly those new to the outdoors, those coming back to fitness, and those who simply prefer it — want a sisters-only space. Three reasons come up repeatedly when we ask:

• Pace. No one has to keep up with the fastest walker in the group. Most sisters-only walks run at conversational pace with stops.
• Modesty. No anxiety about removing a layer if it gets warm. No hijab adjustment awkwardness at a scramble section.
• Conversation. A women-only group tends to talk differently. That's not a value judgment. It's just what people consistently report.

The groups below all describe themselves as open to Muslim women. Some welcome non-Muslim women. Some are specifically faith-led. Check before you book.

England

London and the South East

Wild Women Hike (London). Mixed group but with a regular sisters-only weekend. Day walks in the Chilterns, Surrey Hills, and South Downs. Easy to moderate terrain. Active WhatsApp group with weekly drop-in walks.

Muslim Hikers (London chapter). The Muslim Hikers organisation runs dedicated women-only sessions in Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, and the North Downs. Walks are short to moderate and the group is large enough that there's always someone on your level. muslimhikers.com.

She Climbs (Brighton). Muslim-founded, not Muslim-only. Strong reputation for beginners, and the leaders are qualified Mountain Training hill walkers.

Midlands

Birmingham Sisters Hike. Organised by a group of women who met on a Badr Adventures trip in 2024. They run a monthly walk in the Peak District, typically 8 to 12km, with a coffee stop at the end. Active Instagram presence. Find them as @birminghamsistershike.

Nottingham Outdoor Sisters. Smaller group, smaller walks. Mostly in the Peak District. Beginner-friendly. Word-of-mouth community.

North of England

Yorkshire Moors Sisters. Runs Saturday walks across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales from April to October. Lead walker is a qualified Mountain Leader. They cap group size at 12.

Manchester Wild Women. Mixed group with regular women-only trips into the Lake District. Day trips by train from Manchester Piccadilly. Good option if you don't drive.

Lake District Sisters (Badr Adventures partner). We run two sisters-only hikes a month in the Lakes, led by a qualified female Mountain Leader. Day walks, 8 to 14km. Prayers, packed lunch, no pressure. See our upcoming hikes for the next one.

Wales and Scotland

Snowdonia Sisters Hike. New for 2026, run by a group of women who previously organised under the umbrella of a North Wales outdoor collective. They focus on Snowdon and the Glyderau, with scrambles for the more experienced. Mixed-ability welcome.

Edinburgh Muslim Hikers (women's section). The Edinburgh chapter of Muslim Hikers runs sisters-only walks on Arthur's Seat, the Pentlands, and occasional weekend trips to Glencoe. Excellent kit knowledge among the regulars.

What to expect on your first sisters-only walk

Almost everyone is nervous the first time. Here's what actually happens:

1. Meeting point. Usually a National Trust car park or train station. Most groups post the exact location in their WhatsApp the day before.
2. Welcome. The leader introduces themselves and the route. There's often a kit check (boots, water, layers, packed lunch). If you're missing something, most groups have spares.
3. Prayer. The group prays together. You don't have to know anyone. You just join the row.
4. The walk. Pace is set by whoever's slowest. Stops are regular. The conversation is easier than you think.
5. The end. Coffee or food at a café. People exchange numbers. The next walk gets posted in the group.

Red flags to watch for

Most women's groups are well-run. A few aren't. Watch for:

• No qualified leader. A "group chat" walk with no named responsible person is a risk, especially in winter or on harder terrain.
• No first aid cover. The leader should have at least a one-day outdoor first aid qualification.
• Pressure to keep up. A good group splits or turns back when needed. A bad one leaves people behind.
• Vague meeting points. "Near the car park" is fine. "Somewhere in the Lakes" is not.

If you can't find a local group

Three options:

1. Start one. A WhatsApp group, a regular Saturday, and a sensible route. Most of the groups on this list started with four or five friends. We can help you plan a route and find a qualified leader if you want to set something up in your area.
2. Book a guided session. Badr Adventures runs sisters-only guided hikes in the Lake District, Peak District, and Snowdonia. You book, you turn up, you're with a small group of women and a qualified female leader. It's the lowest-friction way to start.
3. Bring a friend. Most women's groups started because two friends said "let's just do this." If you've got one person to walk with, you have a group.

Kids on the trail

Most sisters-only groups are 18+. A few welcome children, usually from age 8 or 10, on shorter walks. The Manchester Wild Women and Birmingham Sisters Hike both run family-friendly sessions in school holidays. Check before booking.

For dedicated family hiking, see our guide to family-friendly hikes for Muslim families in the UK.

For more on the spiritual side of hiking, see our guide on the Islamic perspective on hiking outdoors. For practical advice on packing and eating, see our guides on halal-friendly hiking packs and family-friendly hikes for Muslim families.