Harrow and Wembley Outdoor Group

HAWOG is one of the oldest outdoor groups in the country with a history dating back to 1936. We are a highly successful local group - 80% of our 100+ paid members live in north-west London - with virtually equal numbers of girls and guys. Membership is open to anyone aged 16 years or over and we offer reduced price for anyone who is under 30 years old at the start of each group year (1 Oct) or on low_incomes etc. Everyone new can try our group for free for 2 months - no obligation - any time during each year and then only pay pro rata membership price for the remaining months to the end of our group year (30 Sep) if joining.

So if you enjoy travel and exploring rural locations, walking and opportunites to try other outdoor activities, and have or want to gain skills and experience in outdoor navigation or for other activities, then you have three key reasons to try our group FREE for 2 months - no obligation:

Travel and Explore: We offer loads of local, national and occasionally international outdoor activities organised by members for members. Most weekends we offer a local countryside walk and most months we offer at least one weekend away. We are one of the country's original Youth Hostelling Association (YHA) groups and many members join to experience our beautiful short breaks to the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Brecon Beacons etc. Members also join for some of our weeks away to walk longer distance paths (Pennine Way, Cumbria Way) and to visit the Scottish Cairngorms, Ireland and the French Alps - all events in recent years. In short, we offer all the best destinations for outdoor activities, countryside views, wildlife and quaint villages at minimal cost.
Variety and Choice: We offer a range of outdoor activities to suit the varied abilities, interests and aspirations of our members. So short walks, rambles and cycle rides suitable for virtually anyone, lots of medium distance walks, maybe involving a few hills, and some more challenging activities involving mountain climbs, longer days and some specialist technical skills, clothing and equipment. Something for everyone and opportunites to try new activities, maybe caving, mountain biking, kayacking, rock climbing etc. If you want to try it, there is probably someone else who already has or would like to try it too.
Skills and Experience: We offer good opportunities for members to gain the key technical skills and competence in the activities they do. By far the most common skill most members require is to be able to navigate outdoors. In recent years we have hired experienced trainers to design and run day theory and practice outdoor navigation courses locally specifically for our members. Within our group we have a pool of experienced navigators willing to advise and support with route planning and leading. And our events programme affords lots of opportunities for members to help plan and lead routes and organise trips. As most members walk or cycle with our group, most do require at least basic skills in route planning, map reading and compass use. As such, after 12 months most members should gain, demonstrate and maintain sufficient outdoor navigation competence or alternative commensurate skills (rock climbing, kayacking etc - something of value and relevance to support our group's outdoor activity ethos and events programme).

In recent years members of our group have organised events involving:

Challenging: Climbs up the highest mountains in the UK like Ben Nevis, Snowdonia, Scafell Pike, Helvelyn and the Seven Monroes; climbs up various mountains in the Scottish Cairngorms and the French Alps; day long 20 and 30+ mile walks in the UK and Ireland; week long walks along the Pennine Way and Cumbria Way; 60 mile day long cycle rides in Wales and the Yorkshire Dales.
Moderate: Climbs up the Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales; numerous 10-15 mile day walks in all parts of the UK, particularly (local) the Chilterns, Thames Valley and Surrey Hills and (further) the Peak District, Lake District, Cotswolds, Lincolnshire Wolds and Wales; White Water Rafting; Canoeing; Rock Climbing; Via Ferrata.
Easy: Shorter day walks of less than 10 miles; picnics; horse riding; cycle rides of around 20 miles per day on flat terrain; 5 mile 'hedge hopping' evenings; wind surfing.

Supporting our outdoor activities is our weekly meet in central Harrow. This enables prospective members to find out more about our group and meet a few members, and for everyone to gain extra information about our current outdoor activities and possible ideas for future events. It also provides an opportunity for socialising. We meet most weeks, on Thursday evenings, in central Harrow from 8:30pm to 10:00pm, at Our Lady & St Thomas Of Canterbury R C Church Hall, 22 Roxborough Park, Harrow, HA1 3BE (map).

So, if you're interested in finding out more, then please:

look at our events programme and come along soon to any events that interest you - remember, try us FREE for 2 months no obligation
join our FREE email group to receive our weekly email about our next weeks events, first details of new events, and reports on recent events
check out our list of frequently asked questions
contact us with any specific questions at or 07906 512110 - leave a message and we'll call you back

We look forward to meeting you, do come along soon!