Muslim Hikers Host First Eryri Residential at Plas y Brenin
Muslim Hikers successfully delivered its first-ever Summit & Soul: Eryri residential weekend at the iconic Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, bringing together nearly 100 participants for a powerful start to the new year.
Eryri (Snowdonia), January 2026 — Muslim Hikers successfully delivered its first-ever Summit & Soul: Eryri residential weekend at the iconic Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, bringing together nearly 100 participants for a powerful start to the new year.
Set against the winter backdrop of Eryri’s mountains, with fresh snowfall adding to the atmosphere, the three-day retreat combined a headline mountain hike, optional outdoor activities, reflective sessions and shared meals in a community-focused environment.
The event marked a significant milestone for Muslim Hikers, hosting a large-scale residential at the National Outdoor Centre for the first time.
Mountains, Mindfulness & Meaningful Moments
Summit & Soul was designed to create space, physically and mentally, for participants to reset at the beginning of the year.
Saturday saw the group take on Moel Siabod directly from Plas y Brenin’s doorstep, navigating winter conditions with steady pacing and team support. Sunday offered a range of optional activities delivered on site, including climbing, low ropes, bouldering and orienteering.
Across the weekend, participants gathered for prayer, reflection and conversation, reinforcing the ethos that Muslim Hikers events are about more than miles covered.
A Strong Partnership
The success of the retreat was made possible through close collaboration with the team at Plas y Brenin.
Liz Beverley from the National Outdoor Centre reflected:
“What an absolute pleasure it was, to host the Muslim Hikers on their first Eryri retreat this January. So many smiles, so many fears conquered and so many achievements. There was even some snow to make the experience even more magical. We hope to see you again soon; our doors are open anytime.”
The partnership highlights the growing confidence and visibility of Muslim communities in mainstream outdoor spaces.
Resilience in Winter Conditions
The weekend took place amid significant winter weather warnings across parts of the UK. Despite this, participants travelled from across the country and showed remarkable resilience and commitment.
Founder Haroon Mota commented:
“Summit & Soul was about starting the year intentionally, not just physically climbing a mountain, but building confidence and connection in the process. Seeing so many people show up despite challenging conditions was a powerful reminder of the strength of this community.”
Looking Ahead
Summit & Soul marks another step in Muslim Hikers’ expanding UK residential programme, alongside its annual Ramadan Retreat, Great Walking Weekend, and Devon Retreat.
With further UK hikes and international expeditions planned for 2026 and beyond, the organisation continues to create inclusive pathways into the outdoors.
From snowy summits to shared conversations around camp, Summit & Soul: Eryri will stand as a defining chapter in the Muslim Hikers story.
