Facebook hiking group with over 17,500 members to host halloween-themed hike up a Peak District landmark

Hiking Singles UK are inviting people to join them on October 27 for hike up the intrepid Mam Tor in fancy dress, to celebrate Halloween.

This is the second year in a row the Facebook group are hosting their Halloween Hike, which will set off from Castleton Visitors Centre at around 9.45am.

Leader of Hiking Singles UK Melanie Lunn, 51, said: “I put on this hike last year. We all dressed up and there were about 45 of us. There were some amazing costumes and people were even dressing their dogs up as things like pumpkins.

“We all walked up to Cave Dale and then up Mam Tor and then down past the Great Ridge. Then we all went for a drink afterwards, and I got such amazing feedback from the event that I decided to put it on again this year.”

Hiking Singles UK was originally set up in 2022. NHS worker Melanie took over as the group's leader from her friend after only a few months.

First set up to bring together single people through their passion for hiking, under Melanie's leadership the group has now opened to anybody who wants to get outside and find a community.

Melanie said: “Originally the group were only doing huge hikes like Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell Pike. There weren't any for people of mixed abilities, so I started hosting some smaller hikes in Derbyshire such as Ladybower, Lathkill Dale and Mam Tor.

“Initially I only had around 16 people attend my events but eventually, the more events I put on its just sort of grown and grown. It's to a point now where we have around 17,500 members on Facebook.”

Hiking Singles UK’s membership is made up of people from all around the country, with some members travelling from as far away as Newcastle and Cambridgeshire to attend Melanie’s events.

The group runs a number of hikes a year, across the country, although most of their hikes are localised around the Peak District.

Melanie initially became a member of Hiking Singles Uk after moving from Manchester to Chesterfield two years ago. Currently residing in Matlock, Melanie joined the group to meet new people after the break up of her previous relationship.

She said: “I think when you’re single or live on your own, and you're working Monday to Friday it’s nice to have something to look forward to at the weekend where you can get out in nature.

“People have said that it’s great for their mental health and it gives them a bit of a boost to get through the working week. It also helps people get fitter and we all encourage each other.”

If you are interested in attending the upcoming Halloween Hike up Mam Tor, or any of the groups future events you can request to join the group on Facebook and click “going” on any of the hikes on the events tab.