8 BIPOC hiking groups that are challenging outdoor stereotypes in North Carolina
North Carolina is full of outdoor adventures — from the coast to the Appalachians. Within a few hours drive, most of us around the state could be soaking up the sun, hiking to a waterfall or rappelling off a cliff.
The great outdoors should be accessible to every human, but historically, that has not been the case. About 70 percent of people who visit national forests, wildlife refuges and parks are white, the National Health Foundation reported in 2020. “The experience of visiting a national park and being surrounded by the natural world holds an immeasurable value and should be accessible for all,” the Foundation wrote.
There are several hiking groups across North Carolina who are actively working to overcome the diversity gap on our state’s trails, parks and mountains. Check out these eight groups and find out more about each one below.
Note: Some of the group activities are on pause due to the destruction of trails, mostly in Western North Carolina, due to Hurricane Helene. Check for cancellations before you go.
Black Girls Do Hike
Instagram: @black_girls_do_hike
Facebook: Black Girls Do Hike
About: Black Girls Do Hike creator Malika White launched the Charlotte-based group in 2019. The group hikes on trails in Charlotte and at Crowders Mountain, according to our story about the hiking group. “Nature reduces blood pressure as well as the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline,” states Black Girls Do Hike’s Facebook group. “Therefore our goal is to hike globally, teach about the benefits of nature and allow women to experience nature at its best.”
Blk Hiking Club Raleigh/Durham
Instagram: @blkhikingclub
Facebook: @BLKHikingClub
About: Blk Hiking Club has chapters in the Raleigh/Durham area and also in Atlanta. In North Carolina, upcoming events include hikes to Umstead State Park in Cary (one for Black men only and another for Black women only) and to Bond Park/White Oak Greenway in Cary. Unless otherwise mentioned, Blk Hiking Club events are for Black hikers only. “While we appreciate the work of allies, they are encouraged to join one of the many other hiking groups in the Triangle,” the group states.
Charlotte Afro Explorers
About: Charlotte Afro Explorers is a Charlotte-based Meetup group that goes on outdoor adventures. Events include hikes to waterfalls, road and mountain biking excursions, visits to winery vineyards and out-of-town trips. Hikes are both for beginner and experienced hikers.
Culture Queens Outdoors
Instagram: @culturequeensoutdoors
Facebook: @cltqueens
About: In October 2020, the newly formed Culture Queens Outdoors, an extension of Charlotte-based Culture Queens, completed its first group hike. These days, the group’s adventures include hiking, camping, ziplining and more. It hosts retreats, visits to state parks and team-building activities. In 2023, the group was featured on PBS. “I have a bucket list to visit every single state park in North Carolina, so if I’m not at the state park, I am out hiking a trail, chasing a waterfall, anything outdoors,” founder Jennifer Michelle told the network.
Issa Vibe Adventures
Instagram: @issavibeadventures
About: Lisa Colvin, Charles Gbenyon Jr. and Ali Steele formed Issa Vibe Adventures in 2017, with “a mission to reconnect Black people to nature,” according to its website. The team offers experiences like group hikes to waterfalls. Larger groups can book hiking tours within 45 minutes of Charlotte, with two or three of Issa’s guides.
Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas
Instagram: @latinosaventureros
Facebook: @latinosaventureros
About: Three-year-old Latino-led Latinos Aventureros is a bi-lingual outdoors group that invites people of all backgrounds and culture to join for hiking, camping, community aid events and more. There is a children’s adventure group, too. Everything is free to attend, including educational and convervation-focused events around the Carolinas. “Our mission goes beyond outdoor adventures,” executive director Vivianette Ortiz told CharlotteFive. “We’re deeply committed to preserving and celebrating our culture, ensuring that our heritage is passed down and represented in the spaces we explore,” Ortiz said. Recently, the team has been taking relief items to Western North Carolina with a focus on the Latino community and also helping anyone in need.
North Carolina BIPOC Climbers
Instagram: @ncbipocclimbers
Facebook: @North Carolina BIPoC Climbers
About: North Carolina BIPOC Climbers is a grassroots group that supports climbers of all levels. It holds regular meetups at climbing gyms in Asheville and Mills River; however, those have been put on pause due to the Hurricane Helene devastation in the area. Asheville resident Danielle Johnson created the group in 2020 after not seeing any BIPOC representation in the climbing space, Outbound reported.
Outdoor Afro
Instagram: @outdoorafro
Facebook: @OutdoorAfroCharlotteNC @OutdoorAfroTriangleNorthCarolina
About: Outdoor Afro was created in 2009 in California and is now a national group with chapters in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro and the Raleigh/Durham area. In addition to hiking, group activities include fishing, biking, kayaking, gardening and skiing. Outdoor Afro’s founder, Rue Mapp, is a co-creator of a collection of hiking apparel with REI.
