How to connect to a walking group or a club

This blog came from a conversation I recently had with a friend who is interested in walking. I was sharing my website with her and she kept asking me how she could join a walking group. I realized my website has lots of resources for walking but it doesn't address how to join a club or a walking group.
One of the easiest ways is to join Meetup (which is free) to join. Once on Meetup you'll need to sign up and then search for hiking or walking groups. They may have many names and many levels of abilities. This is a great way to connect with people who enjoy walking and hiking.

If you are on Facebook you can also look for hiking Facebook groups. Broaden your search. If you are interested in specific trails search for friends group of the trails. Use your imagination. Facebook will even find groups you may like once Facebook recognizes that you are searching for hiking groups. 

The American Volkssport Association (AVA) (America's Walking Club) has clubs all across the US and these clubs are always looking for new members. These clubs offer walks, create walks and walking events for other members of the AVA and the public. To search for clubs by state: https://my.ava.org/find-a-club.php

Some other large walking organizations that have walks and are a great way to connect with walkers is EverWalk, Freewalkers, and Shorewalkers.

My website has many resources. you can always google walking clubs in your state. 
City Parks often have a Recreational program and some have hikes that are available.
AARP offers neighborhood walks in many cities throughout the US during the spring and summer months. Go to AARP and search for neighborhood walks.
There is also a group called GirlTrek. This a group specific for Black women. It is a National walking club led by very dynamic women. 

​Sometime community colleges offer noncredit courses and they may have hiking programs or walking destination trips. 

Browse hiking books, and local hiking books. Often in the back of the book they will list local walking or hiking clubs.

I hope this helps to connect you with a walking or hiking group near you. Please add to the list if you have found some other useful resources that I overlooked.