On your hike – fitness and friendship in the National Park

BLACK GIRLS HIKE – creating a pathway for diversity in the great outdoors

When Rhiane Fatinikun decided to take up hiking, she found fitness, friendship and much, much more – as Fiona Stubbs discovers.

As Rhiane Fatinikun travelled through the Peak District by train just over a year ago, little did she realise what a momentous journey she was about to embark on.

Glancing out of the train window, she was struck by the stunning scenery of the National Park... and vowed to discover more by taking up hiking.

A call-out on Instagram for others to join her resulted in 14 women turning up for the first walk in March 2019 – and Black Girls Hike UK was born.

Since then, the group has quickly grown and developed, capturing headlines and earning widespread recognition for challenging stereotypes.

“I can’t actually believe what we’ve achieved in a year,” says 33-year-old Rhiane, a civil servant from Bolton. “Even though I don’t live far from the Peak District, I’d never thought of going there. But I’d been on a course in Barnsley and, as I was travelling back on the train, I started thinking how I really wanted to start hiking.

“I have plenty of free time, so it was about trying something new and different – something more productive. I wanted to get out more and also to create a safe space for other black women.”

The best thing is the friendships which are being made

Rhiane’s first experience as a walk leader was also her own first-ever hike. “I didn’t know how to read a map, so googled walks in Greater Manchester and tried to memorise a route for our first walk,” she recalls. “I was just winging it! Since then I’ve learned hill and mountain skills and learned to navigate and plan routes. OS Maps also

Black Girls Hike preparing for a caving trip. Founder Rhiane Fatinikun.

gave me their mapping app, which makes it easier to help people prepare for walks and know what to expect.”

Most walks, so far, have been in the Peak District, though Rhiane has also led a hike on Snowdon and taken a group on a caving expedition. This year, Black Girls Hike will try rock climbing and gorge walking, and the group will face its toughest test yet by tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in June.

Rhiane is also encouraging more women to gain mountain skills qualifications, with a view to setting up walking groups elsewhere. A new group has already been launched in Coventry and arranges walks in the Midlands.

“I’d no idea Black Girls Hike would grow like this – I thought it was just going to be a little walking group,” says Rhiane. “But some

Rhiane at the Boots Women of the Year 2019 awards lunch.

If you don’t put yourself out there, you never know what you’re capable of

Hiking in the Upper Derwent Valley.

people travel quite long distances to join a hike. The best thing is the friendships which are being made. Depending on what you’re doing in your life, you don’t always meet people you can really connect with. It’s like networking meets the countryside!

“I think the group gives a sense of belonging – it’s like a sisterhood. Meeting new people and feeling supported is good for your general wellbeing and mental health. We’re cheerleaders for each other.” Black Girls Hike has provided a platform to challenge stereotypes. When Rhiane highlighted a lack of black faces in adverts for outdoor clothing, businesses took note. In the autumn, Rhiane took part in a Berghaus photoshoot in the Scottish Highlands, modelling clothes for its summer 2020 collection. And she is now a brand ambassador for two other outdoor firms. She also won a special mention as a Wellness Warrior in the 2019 Boots Women of the Year awards, attending a celebritystudded ceremony in London. “I was pretty starstruck to be honest!” laughs Rhiane. “But it was amazing to be part of those awards. There were so many inspiring people there.” While tackling certain stereotypes, Rhiane says that experiences with Black Girls Hike has overturned one much closer to home. “A lot of people have an idea that the countryside is not welcoming to people of colour,” she explains. “But we’ve realised that it’s a lot more welcoming than you think. We have some lovely conversations with people we meet on our hikes. So I hope that, when Rhiane modelling the latest Berghaus summer range. PHOTO: BERGHAUS

other people see me and the girls out there, they’ll think ‘it will be ok’.”

Looking ahead, Rhiane is keen to organise walks and training for more people, encouraging better physical and mental health. “Black Girls Hike has given me more confidence to try new things,” she says. “I feel fitter and more motivated. I’ve always been outgoing and quite adventurous, in that I like to travel. But I was never really outdoorsy. Holidays used to be all about the beach, but last year I went hiking in Brazil and this year I’m planning a trip to Colombia, island-hopping with a four-day trek.

“Nothing grows in the comfort zone. If you don’t put yourself out there, you never know what you’re capable of.”

More info

Find more about Black Girls Hike UK on @bgh_uk @bghmcr

Rhiane also has a popular blog, Tales of a Hiker – www.instagram. com/talesofahiker / www.facebook. com/talesofahiker – sharing stories from hikers and adventure enthusiasts around the world. Through Tales of a Hiker, she also organises mixed meetups which are open to everyone.