Walking through grief: Why Felix set up a hiking group for young widowed people

May 2025

WAY member Felix decided to set up the WAY walking and hiking subgroup last summer, one year after his wife died. To mark National Walking Month, he explains how being connected to nature helps to feel connected with his wife, as well as helping him to connect with other young widowed people.

“Walking and hiking have always been a big part of my life, especially since losing my wife, Jayne. We used to do lots of walking, hiking and wild-camping, so being out in nature still makes me feel connected to her, as it was something that we both enjoyed doing together.

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I’ve always loved the outdoors ... it helps me reset, calms my mind, and gives me some perspective. There is something about being surrounded by the ruggedness of nature ... mountains, lakes, coastlines, the sea ... that reminds me how long these places have been here, and how they’ll still be here tomorrow, next year, and long after. I find it comforting.

I still go on solo hikes but also enjoy walking with others. After losing Jayne, I tried a few single hiking groups on Meetup and Facebook (as I didn’t want to end up being surrounded by happy couples), but they just didn’t feel like the right fit. 

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That was the reason for starting the WAY walking and hiking subgroup. Just being around people who understand, who get it ... without having to explain everything, makes a big difference.

I find that a walk or hike is a relaxed environment to talk. You can chat if you want to, but it doesn’t feel awkward if you don’t.

Since starting the group, I’ve organised 17 walks and hikes, and now other members of the group have started putting on events too, which is great to see. 

Planning the walks also helps me focus – it gives me something to do and to commit to. Once I put an event on, I am always going, no matter the weather.”