From Across the World to the Same Trails: Finding Community Through Muslim Hikers

What would make someone travel halfway across the world to join a group of strangers for a hike?

For some, it’s the promise of beautiful scenery or the excitement of exploring somewhere new. For others, it’s the opportunity to meet like-minded people, reconnect with their faith or simply find a community where they feel they belong.

At Muslim Hikers, we’ve welcomed people from across the UK and around the world. Some arrive with friends, while others turn up on their own, unsure of what to expect.

But what often happens along the way is much more meaningful than a walk.

Over the past year, we’ve heard some beautiful reflections from people who’ve travelled considerable distances to join our adventures.

Among them are Carolina, a recent Muslim revert from California; Nawal, an outdoor enthusiast from Italy; and Dilara, who came all the way from Australia.

They joined us for different experiences, in different places, but their stories share a common thread.

Sometimes all it takes is the courage to show up.

Carolina: Finding belonging on the trails of Al-Andalus

California, USA | Hike Al-Andalus

When Carolina joined our Hike Al-Andalus expedition in Spain, she’d been Muslim for just one year.

For someone relatively new to the faith, joining a group of other Muslims for an extended outdoor adventure was exciting, but it also brought uncertainty.

Would she fit in? Would she feel comfortable? Would the whole experience be overwhelming?

Carolina later shared a deeply personal reflection on those fears.

“As a revert of only one year, I walked into this space carrying a quiet fear that I might not fit in or that the Hike Andalus experience would overwhelm me.”

What she experienced instead was something she hadn’t expected.

“Instead, my heart found a sanctuary.”

Over the course of the expedition, Carolina found herself surrounded by people who made her feel welcomed, supported and accepted.

“You all fostered a space so safe & so tender that my fears simply melted away. I’m leaving with a soul that feels expanded & content, filled with a newfound pride in what it truly means to be Muslim.”

Her reflection touched on something particularly important about belonging within the Muslim community.

For someone who has recently embraced Islam, finding their place among people who may have grown up with the faith isn’t always straightforward.

There can be unfamiliar customs, different cultural backgrounds and the feeling of being the newcomer in a space where others already know one another.

But Carolina’s experience reminded her that faith can bring people together across those differences.

“Our faith isn’t defined by the borders we were born in or the languages we speak, but by the resilience, warmth, & radical kindness I saw in each of you.”

She also had a beautiful message for Muslims who have practised their faith throughout their lives.

“Your lifelong journey is what inspires me & every revert you may encounter. Through it all, you’re still here. A heart that rediscovers its path often shines the brightest.”

The mountains, landscapes and heritage of Al-Andalus provided the setting, but for Carolina, it was the people who made the experience so meaningful.

She ended her reflection with a heartfelt dua for the group, asking Allah to preserve their connections, grant them ease in their struggles and reunite them in Jannah.

And, with a little humour, she also prayed for everyone to navigate their thirties and beyond with fewer knee and back problems.

It’s a small detail, but one that perfectly captures the warmth and personality of her message.

For Carolina, Hike Al-Andalus was far more than an outdoor adventure.

It was a place where she found reassurance, friendship and a stronger sense of belonging within her faith.

Nawal: Don’t wait for the perfect hiking companions

Italy | Snowdon, Wales

Nawal Farah has always loved the outdoors.

For her, exploring new places, challenging herself and spending time in nature offer something that everyday life doesn’t always provide.

“Nature is where I disconnect from everyday life, reflect, find peace, and appreciate the beauty of Allah’s creation.”

But despite her love for adventure, she only started hiking a couple of years ago.

The reason was surprisingly simple.

She couldn’t find anyone to go with.

It’s something many people can relate to. You want to try a new activity, visit a particular destination or take on a challenge, but none of your friends share the same enthusiasm.

For a long time, that held Nawal back.

Eventually, she found like-minded people who shared her interests, and some became close friends.

The experience taught her an important lesson.

“If there’s something you really want to do, don’t wait until you find the perfect group. Go alone if you have to, or take a chance on joining strangers, you never know, they might become lifelong friends.”

That same willingness to take a chance eventually brought her from Italy to Wales.

Nawal had been following Muslim Hikers and had previously hoped to join our Ben Nevis hike, but other commitments kept getting in the way.

When she planned a trip to the UK, she finally found an opportunity to join one of our adventures, this time on Snowdon.

“I wanted to experience nature on different soil and connect with a Muslim community abroad with so much experience in organising mountain adventures.”

For Nawal, incorporating the outdoors into her travels had already become a habit.

But joining a Muslim hiking community in another country offered something extra.

She found herself walking alongside people from different backgrounds, cultures and age groups, connected by a shared enthusiasm for the outdoors.

“It was amazing to spend the day with people of different backgrounds, cultures and ages, all brought together by a shared love for the outdoors.”

The welcome she received left a lasting impression.

“Appreciating Allah’s creation is already a blessing, but experiencing it in such great company made it even more meaningful.”

And while Nawal had originally hoped to join us on Ben Nevis, that ambition hasn’t disappeared.

She ended her message with an invitation for Muslim Hikers to visit Italy and the hope that she’d see us again on Ben Nevis, or perhaps even sooner.

Her story is a reminder that you don’t have to wait for the perfect circumstances to enjoy the outdoors.

Sometimes joining a group of strangers is exactly how you find the companions you’ve been looking for.

Dilara: Australia to Dover, with a hike booked before the flights

Australia | Dover to Folkestone

Most people planning a trip to the UK would probably start by booking their flights.

Not Dilara.

Travelling from Australia, she had a slightly different order of priorities.

“I actually booked the Muslim Hikers Dover hike BEFORE I booked my flights to the UK.”

And for someone who loves outdoor adventures, that apparently made perfect sense.

“But flying halfway across the world for a hike is very on brand.”

Dilara was already an enthusiastic explorer, with hiking experiences across different countries.

Joining Muslim Hikers offered an opportunity to discover somewhere new while connecting with fellow Muslims.

“I love being outdoors, love to appreciate the beauty of Allah’s creation and it seemed like the perfect excuse to explore a part of the world I was yet to see.”

The destination was Dover, where our group would explore the spectacular coastal scenery along the route towards Folkestone.

The famous White Cliffs certainly delivered.

Although Dilara, naturally, couldn’t resist a little friendly competition between Britain and Australia.

“The views were incredible (and this is big to say considering I’m from the most beautiful country in the world), the weather behaved itself (also big to say since Australia has the best weather all year round)…”

She also recalled plenty of eating from random bushes, reassuring everyone that none of the berries appeared to be poisonous.

But beyond the scenery and light-hearted observations, something else made the experience memorable.

The people.

“One of the best things about being a Muslim is that no matter where you are in the world, there’s an instant connection! And that’s exactly how it was in Dover!”

Despite arriving from the other side of the world, Dilara felt an immediate connection to the community.

“The sense of community with Muslim Hikers was truly unmatched! Complete strangers quickly became lifelong friends and the energy was extraordinary!!”

It’s one of the remarkable things about bringing people together through a shared interest and faith.

You can arrive in a country you’ve never visited, join an event where you don’t know anyone, and find yourself surrounded by people who make you feel welcome.

For Dilara, a single day walking along the English coast became part of a much bigger travel experience.

And the friendships she made were just as memorable as the views.

She ended her reflections with a beautiful prayer for those she’d met.

“May Allah preserve everyone I met that day, strengthen the bonds within the community and allow us to meet again in this life and the next, Ameen.”

Not bad for a hike she booked before her flights.

Different countries. Shared experiences. One community.

California. Italy. Australia.

Three women who travelled from different parts of the world to join three very different Muslim Hikers adventures.

Carolina came to Al-Andalus carrying uncertainty about whether she’d find her place within the group.

Nawal travelled to Wales with the knowledge that sometimes you need to take a chance on meeting new people.

And Dilara crossed half the world, putting a hike on her itinerary before she’d even booked her flights.

None of them came away talking only about the distance they’d walked or the views they’d seen.

They spoke about friendship.

About feeling welcome.

About connecting with people from different backgrounds.

And about the joy of experiencing Allah’s creation alongside others who shared their faith.

Those experiences reflect something we’ve always wanted Muslim Hikers to be.

A community where people feel comfortable taking that first step, whether they’re seasoned hikers or complete beginners, arriving with friends or joining on their own.

Our events are open to people of all faiths and none, while creating opportunities for Muslims to enjoy the outdoors in a space where their faith and identity are understood and respected.

And the connections people make can extend far beyond the event itself.

For some, that means new hiking companions. For others, it’s a renewed sense of confidence, belonging or connection to faith.

Sometimes a single hike becomes the beginning of something much bigger.

Your next adventure might be closer than you think

You don’t have to travel across continents to experience what these women discovered.

You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, and you certainly don’t need to have a group of friends ready to join you.

Our guided hikes take place throughout the year, offering opportunities to explore beautiful places, meet new people and enjoy the outdoors together.

Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another adventure, we’d love to welcome you.

Who knows where one walk might lead?

Explore upcoming Muslim Hikers events

With thanks to Carolina, Nawal and Dilara for sharing their experiences with the Muslim Hikers community.