Ciss Outdoors

When I first started taking the outdoors seriously, I didn’t have outdoor friends. No group chats were buzzing about weekend hikes, no seasoned winter hikers offering to help me choose crampons or talk about kit over coffee. It was just me. Me, a lot of curiosity, and very basic kit.

If you’re at the beginning, feeling like you’re not “outdoorsy enough” or unsure where to start, I’ve been there. And I want you to know that you’re not alone. You don’t need the fanciest gear or the longest adventure CV to find connection. You just need to begin. People often assume that if you’re out on the hills regularly, you must’ve always had a solid network of outdoorsy mates. But that’s not how it happened for me. I had to build friendships from scratch, one group walk at a time.

If you are still finding your feet outdoors and trying to work out what comes first, this broader guide on where to begin building confidence outdoors brings together practical advice, reassurance, and early next steps.

Choosing Connection Over Comfort: How Taking the First Step Builds Outdoor Friendships

The first Mountain Leader–led group hike I ever did, I showed up nervously and hoped for the best. I wasn’t there to be guided, I was there for a bit of community. And funnily enough, that’s exactly what I found.

I met Lisa that day. We swapped numbers at the end, not quite sure if we’d actually follow through. But we did. That one walk opened the door to friendship. That’s the thing. You never know what one “yes” might lead to. But it starts with putting yourself out there, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Glenmore Lodge and the Power of Cold, Wet Bonding

One of the biggest turning points for me was a winter skills course at Glenmore Lodge. I signed up for the knowledge, but what stayed with me was the people.

We were strangers when we met, wrapped in down jackets and that slightly guarded politeness you get when nobody wants to seem too keen. But by the end of the week, we were swapping snacks and planning future hikes. There’s something about hiking in winter conditions together that fast-tracks trust. It’s where I met Jen and Ed, two people I now count among my closest mountain pals. They’re the kind of people I feel totally myself with in the hills. No pressure to perform, no proving anything. I feel most confident with them, not because we always get everything right, but because we’ve got each other’s backs.

Why Outdoor Friendships Don’t Have to Be Deep to Be Meaningful

One thing that’s helped me most is understanding that there are different kinds of outdoor friendships, and they’re all valuable. Some people I see once every couple of months for a hike and a chat. We catch up on life between summits and then go our separate ways, and that’s enough. It’s meaningful, even if it’s not profound.

Other friendships go deeper, the kind where you talk about everything and nothing for hours on a long day out. But you don’t need every connection to be like that. Sometimes, just having someone to share a trail with makes the day better. And those lighter, more casual friendships still shape your journey outdoors.

It’s also normal to go weeks or even months without seeing your outdoorsy friends. Chances are, you live in different places, and it takes effort to meet up. But when you do, it picks up right where it left off.

When Outdoor Connections Don’t Click (and Why That’s Normal)

Not everyone you meet outdoors will be your kind of person. One of the best thing about the outdoor community is that it’s so big and varied. Some folks live for fast-paced days, others are all about slow wanders and long lunch stops. Don’t give up just because one outing didn’t work for you. Things might not click with the first group you try, or even the second. Don’t take it personally. Keep showing up, keep exploring different spaces, and you’ll find people whose pace, values, and sense of humour match your own.

The Right Message at the Right Time

Sometimes the best part of finding your people is the message that lands out of the blue: “Forecast looks good for Saturday, you free for some Munros?” It doesn’t have to be a big plan. Just someone thinking of you, someone who knows you’ll probably say yes.

It might be a last-minute invite, a shared map link, or a simple “Fancy a run?” that turns into something great. You don’t need dozens of outdoor friends, just a few good ones who check in, suggest a plan, and know you’d rather be out there than anywhere else.

Solo’s Still Special, But Shared is Something Else

I’ll always love solo days. The freedom, the peace, the headspace. But there’s something different about standing on a summit beside someone who gets it. Who doesn’t ask why you’re beaming in sleet… because they’re grinning too.

These connections take time. They take effort. But they’re worth it. Because yes, the hills are incredible, but the people you meet along the way? They are the ones you can reminisce with about shared experiences and core memories.

How Outdoor Connections Keep Growing Over Time

The amazing thing is, growing your outdoor community is a constant evolution. Even now, a few years in, I keep finding new circles and new people.

Through becoming an Ordnance Survey Champion, I’ve met brilliant people who care deeply about access and adventure. That’s led to conversations that continue to inspire me. Ultra running has been another unexpected doorway into connection. Sweaty, muddy, brilliant friendships forged over long miles and shared struggle. Travel brought with it new people to explore with, a shared love for the outdoors bringing an easy route to friendship.

And most recently, I started a new chapter as a volunteer ranger with the Cairngorms National Park. I’ve only just met some of the team, but already there’s that same sense of purpose, of “you get it too.” I’m excited to see where those friendships go, and what we’ll learn from each other along the way.

Be Open to Change

Not every person will be in your life long-term. Life shifts, people move, grow, and change direction. Some friends are there for a certain season, a certain chapter, or even just a single hike that meant something at the time.

It doesn’t make those friendships any less real. They were part of the journey. And sometimes, making space for new connections means letting go of the idea that everything has to be permanent. I used to struggle with this, but am I the same person I was a few years ago? No. So why would I expect other people to be? Being open to people coming and going throughout life has brought me a lot of peace.

Practical Tips for Meeting People Through Outdoor Activities

And if you’re still trying to find your people? Don’t panic. It can start with one walk. One message. One course. You don’t have to do it all at once and you are definitely not alone. Here are a few tips on how to start building outdoor connection:

• Start small. You don’t need to tackle a mountain. A local walk or run is enough to meet someone new.
• Say yes more often. Join that group hike, sign up for the skills course, reply to the Instagram story.
• Follow up. If you clicked with someone, message them after. Suggest a walk or share a route you enjoyed.
• Be the one who asks. Don’t wait for the invite! Send the message, suggest a date. Someone else might be hoping for the same.
• Look beyond the obvious. Volunteer opportunities, races, conservation events, or training weekends are brilliant ways to meet like-minded people.
• Let it be casual. Outdoor friends don’t have to be best friends. Enjoy sharing your love for the outdoors and let it become whatever feels right.
• Keep showing up. Building community takes time and effort. Get out there!

Related reading:

Resting Isn’t Quitting: The Importance of Recovery in Outdoor Adventures

Solo Wild Camping: Confidence, Comfort & Safety in the Outdoors