Outdooraholics Avis 

Outdooraholics organised an amazing trip to Morocco to hike mount Toubkal. It was an awesome experience, all really well organised. You just need to focus on the hike. Our guide was truly incredible. I will book another trip with them.

I've been doing their hikes since 2020 - lovely routes, very well organised, thank you!

I have only been with this walking group for almost a year now. From the trips that I have been on so far, I have found them exciting, invigorating and a great way to meet new people.
One particular hike I did was in Guildford where we were guided around the outskirts of the city into more of Guildford's countryside where we learnt about local history and nature.
Was an enjoyable day out and worth the trip! Thank you so much Graham.

I have been a member of Outdoor Holics since January 2020, when I returned from a trip to China/Japan. I was recommended to join Outdoor Holics due to my love of outdoor hiking. I have undertaken, on average, one 1-day trip per month, which equates to around 53-day trips with Outdoor holics. I have also undertaken 12-13 weekend trips. Most of these trips have been with Graham and some other hike leaders. Most (90%) of the weekend trips have been with Graham. I was born in England and am of Indian/west indian descent. I want to make three points.

1. Outdooraholics one of the most ethnically and gender-diverse groups I have ever seen, having been born and lived in London all my life, from the hike leaders like Graham to Corina and Elizaeth to the group's demographic, comprised of UK, English, Asians, south Asians, Chinese, Japanese Europeans, Americans, South Americans, etc. This is one of the attractions of the group- the ethnic and gender diversity and the different nationalities you meet around the world. International people attend these hikes as it is a chance to visit the countryside in the UK and meet other people. I have never witnessed Graham excluding anyone from meeting and greeting them at the hike. Even in large groups of at least 30-40 people, I have clearly witnessed him engaging with everyone, regardless of their background, gender or ethnic mix. I dont know the circumstances of the exact trip referenced. I have physically witnessed him taking the time to engage, greet and ensure everyone's attendance and safety- whatever the level of attendance at the group. If an exclusion were made at the intro to the hike, it would have almost certainly been either he genuinely didn't see you. But when that happens, it is easy to remedy it by checking in with him to ensure he noted your attendance for the hike.

2. Graham has always led the hikes exceptionally professionally. All the leaders, in fact, at Outdoor Holics make the time to ensure people's safety prior to the hike with their briefing, when we arrive at the destination and during the hike. If there are steep hills or any areas of danger, he makes a concerted effort to tell everyone, checks everyone's welfare and asks about their fitness level. I just finished Jurassic Coast with him and 30 other people, and he made considerable efforts to explain to people where the steep and challenging parts were, what options to do if we felt it was challenging, etc. He is an experienced hike leader.

3. Finally, I want to emphasize that I have never experienced or witnessed any form of racism within Outdoor Holics. As someone of Indian descent , I have known Graham for over four and a half years, and he has always been one of the most friendly, welcoming, and engaging people I have ever met. His warmth and inclusivity extend to men and women of all nationalities and ethnicities. I can personally attest to this, and I know that others who have interacted with him would corroborate my experience.

Kind regards

Arvin

Great guides and great hikes!
Always good to get out of london over the weekend, even better when you can meet up with like minded people and enjoy an easy to follow route with professional hike. Would definitely recommend!

An avid hiker stationed in London I am always looking for outdoor adventures – and I am so thankful that my regular hikes with Outdooraholics were planned, organized, and executed to perfection. This dedicated group offers hikes for all levels, from beginner to advanced, from day trips to long weekends, in the UK or even abroad, always with clear descriptions of what to expect. Day or weekend expeditions can be challenging enough to provide a great workout and so many nice people and points of interest yet so well run that you always feel completely relaxed the entire trip. I have always been rewarded with wonderful time in the great outdoors, spectacular views, wonderful company, and the luxury of end-to-end service. Indeed you don’t have to worry about anything other than showing up. The enthusiastic group leaders and Outdooraholics’ extremely friendly organiser Graham, the entire team is exceptionally nice, dedicated, well-organized, responsive, and flexible in accommodating any special needs and requests. They anticipate and take care of every detail. And the atmosphere, from online registration to the train back to London, is outstanding, always so positive and delightful. I have been hiking with Outdooraholics for more than 3 years and on my latest hike, like every single time, I could appreciate again their exemplary organisation and warm hospitality Bravo and thank you, Outdooraholics!
Sylvie

Absolutely fantastic! They provide brilliant hiking destinations that cater for all levels. There are a range of both UK and overseas hikes and trips you can participate in. UK trips can be a day to 4/5 days with Overseas trips 3 days or more. So no need to take too much time off work. They are organised, friendly and I would highly recommend them for hikers of all levels! In addition to this, it is a great way to make new connections.

I've been hiking with Outdooraholics since 2018 and think it's a great group. The best thing about it is the people it attracts - I always meet really interesting , nice, quirky, fun people - and when I go on an Outdooraholics trip or hike I know I'm going to have a good time and make some good memories. When people come on the trips and day hikes, they're usually busy people living in London and they're committed to having a great time and making the most of their free time. I would highly recommend!

I'd definitely recommend this meetup group to hike with. I've hiked with Outdooraholics since 2012. All of the hikes I've been on (probably over 50 now) have been well organised, inclusive and informative usually finishing in the pub. All of the guides go out of their way to ensure that everyone has a great day out. I recommend the weekends away and am doing my first trip abroad with Outdooraholics in September to Bulgaria. I've also met many friends through the group over the last 12 years, so would definitely recommend the group to anyone either new to London or those just keen on getting out and seeing new places at the weekend.

I had a really good day, the hike was the right length and pace for me.
Was well organised with an excellent guide , we had enough time for lunch and to have a chat as a group after in the pub.
Would definitely recommend.

I have been travelling with or via Outdooraholics for nearly 15yrs. They get me to places I would otherwise never have thought of travelling to eg Slovenia or trails particularly in the UK, (but also above The Amalfi coast tourist route) that I wouldn't think to look for. Initially , when he was "a one man show", this was just Graham's UK w/e and day trips then, I was part of the very start of his overseas trips - Slovenia , Amalfi and Bulgaria.
Throughout all these years the lowest standard, Graham , his office and most importantly his "coal face" staff - the fellow guides have ever displayed is one of being completely professional, with safety being top of the list. On nearly all my trips the standard has actually been much higher than purely professional the whole trip ie also bathed in warm good spirits.
I am in 2 other London based hiking meetup groups , all 3 contain a lot of what I call the "displaced" - either Brits ,like myself , now based a long way away from their British roots , or non Brits by definition now also based a long way from their roots. The latter in particular leads to above average (for the UK) racial diversity on trips and this is fully part of OA's and Graham's personal warm embrace. It's a shame C Zhu has managed to imagine something opposite. I'm black , many of my fellow OA longstanding stalwarts ( ie those of us most likely to have been on trips specifically lead by Graham ) are Asian .We wouldn't have stayed if racism was an issue. I have also never had any financial issues with OA and therefore am never worried about long term deposits.
I would and do recommend my OA experiences to evryone.

Have used Outdooraholics ever since 2021. I used it to get outdoors since lockdown as well as to use my weekends and make the most out of them, whilst also being around people and seeing parts of the UK I didn't know much about!

Since joining I've been lucky as made some good friends from various hikes. I too met my partner on one of the hikes which just shows how valuable this group has been for me.

I would recommend to anyone looking to do something active, whilst being able to connect with different people and explore new places.

This is in response to Caroline Zhu’s July 21,2024 review. I respect that you took the time and effort to write your review and that we live in a place that allows free speech but would like to state that in my over 20 hiking trips with Outdooraholics, many that Graham ran, that what you have described has never EVER happened. Graham, and ever other trip leader I’ve had, has been nothing but inclusive, professional, attentive and fun to be with. As with your trip I too have been on trips with 30,40 or more people and never did I solely rely on a trip leader to approve of my presence or to even be selected out to be greeted. I definitely fall into the group that is ‘outside’ the box but again NEVER felt I was excluded or ignored. Whatever hang-ups you have about who you are or what your background is does not belong in carrying a grudge against Graham or Outdooraholics. It may be best for you to find other avenues to get your hiking experiences…Graham and all trip leaders at Outdooraholics would never intentionally do what you described. I respectfully and emphatically disagree with you.
Don Milbier

I did a trip to the Amalfi coast with Outdooraholics this April. Francesca was our guide, she was fantastic, lovely guest house, very well organised and a good price too. Recommended!

I've been with Outdooraholics for 8 years, and after trying other groups, I can confidently say this one is the best. They offer the most diverse range of hikes, with excellent availability, making it easy to find something that fits your schedule. The hike leaders are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable to be around, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

The members are also fantastic, making every hike a pleasure as you get to meet and connect with interesting people. What I appreciate most about Outdooraholics is that after a long week of work, if you're in the mood for a day hike, you can simply switch off. The hike leaders handle all the planning and leadership, allowing you to relax, take in the stunning views, and enjoy the company.

I have been hiking with this group for several years and hike with them every weekend! So far they hold the best reputation amongst all.other hiking group I am a member of. Great leaders, nice and friendly people, special and scenic hikes and lots of other benefits. Leaders are very responsible and caring, they always make sure everyone is safe and the group stays together for better results. Time wise they are punctual and they also treat everyone equally, which is a great feeling. Thanks to the precise arrangement you only take yourself to the meeting point in the morning and everything else is sorted for you for the rest of the day. All my friends have joined this group and they are all very happy too!

I've been on several trips with Outdooraholics in the UK which were great. Thank you

I’m always looking forward to attending Outdooraholics day-hikes in my free time, I just wish I had more time to attend them all. They are organized like clockwork, coordinating transport and navigation seamlessly and offers friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The trails are well thought out with breath-taking views, blend nature and history. The hike leaders contribute to the educational aspect of the journey by sharing fun historical facts about the areas. The beginner groups are great for those who are just starting out or you just want a relaxing hike with likeminded people, and the intermediate to challenging hikes for though for those who want to test their endurance. What I love is you get to walk and talk and meet new people in the “real world” doing the activity you love in a safe and secure environment and not have to worry about navigation or time, you just need to make sure you stay with the group, listen to, and follow the instructions. Some people like to engage in conversation and make new friends, while others prefer to immerse themselves in scenery. Big thanks the hike leaders I have met so far “Graham, Milena, Fate and Lee” for organising and making it such a great experience. I have never had issues with refunds if I decide to cancel RSPV and when my position is filled by someone else. In my opinion Outdooraholics stands as a top-tier hiking group offering unforgettable adventures, I have been recommending Outdooraholics to everyone I know, I can’t wait for my next hike with the group.

Still fighting to get my deposit refunded post-2020 cancellation – it's been 2 years!! I have explained that I was diagnosed with breast cancer since and need the cash. Nobody cares. Shows the real ethics behind this company. Don't give them any business :)