10 QUESTIONS WITH…

founder of Black Girls Hike, Rhiane Fatinikun

1 Have you always been a walker?

No! I grew up in Blackburn and while the West Pennines were close by, I didn’t really explore them. I thought nature was a bit boring as a teenager. The closest I got to ‘the outdoors’ was hanging out with my friends in the park.

2 So how have you ended up heading a hiking group?

Two years ago, I was on a train travelling through the Peak District. It was so beautiful – it was New Year and lots of walking groups were getting on and off. I thought, ‘That could be me’ and posted a video of the scenery on Instagram with the caption ‘I’m taking up hiking this year – Black Girls Hike’. A few days later, I decided it was time to really walk the talk: I set up a hiking group for black women in Manchester and called it Black Girls Hike. There’s little diversity in outdoor sports and I wanted to create a group where black women could feel comfortable. I work in a predominantly white office, where casual racism is common. Being able to explore the outdoors with people who share my experience provides a huge sense of relief – it’s essential for marginalised people to have safe spaces where we feel supported.

3 How was the first outing?

It was a rainy Sunday, but 14 women showed up and I was on a high for days. I had bought my first pair of walking boots the day before and had chosen a five-mile route around Hollingworth Lake in Rochdale, even though at that point I could barely read a map. I managed to get us back to the start without getting lost. No one knew that I was completely winging it.

4 Do you still get lost?

During one hike, I got a group lost in the fog on Saddleworth Moor for several hours. After that, I remember thinking, ‘No one’s ever going to come back!’ That made me take the role more seriously. I’ve now completed two mountain skills courses and have a Lowland Leader qualification, focusing on route-finding and risk management. Now, I feel much more confident in my abilities.

5 Where are your favourite spots?

I live in Bolton, between the Peak District and the Lake District, and I love any route with a waterfall. Last year, 17 of us climbed Snowdon in Wales. We turned heads – it’s rare to see so many black people at the top of a UK mountain. Now, we go caving, climbing, gorge walking and potholing.

6 Is it as much about talking as walking?

Lots of walkers say hiking has boosted their confidence as they haven’t connected with nature before (only one per cent of National Park visitors come from minority backgrounds*). But it’s not just about nature: it’s about connecting with people. Women of all ages come, but it tends to be young professionals. Black Girls Hike is more than a walking group

– it’s a sisterhood. Even the big hills can’t stop me chatting!

7 Does everyone keep up?

I’m a naturally fast walker, but we usually have two groups – one faster and one slower. We want to appeal to people who have never hiked before. That’s the whole point of the group.

8 How do you advertise the walks?

Each chapter has a local leader, but I organise the walks around Manchester. I go out with a friend to find a suitable route, then advertise it on social media. Once the meeting spot has been decided, people arrange car shares. But I also want to offer urban walks, which are more accessible to those without cars, as public transport can be expensive and infrequent. All our hikes are free.

9 Do you still turn heads among other hikers?

We’re often greeted with surprise, but almost everyone is happy to see us. From my perspective, if you’re passionate about something and see someone else enjoying it, you feel good. Some people assume we’re lost or don’t know what we’re doing, but just because we’re underrepresented doesn’t mean we’re less able. Some people also say we’re not inclusive (the walks are only for black and mixed-race women of African or Caribbean descent), but I want them to be safe spaces. There are lots of groups that cater for the majority – I’m making the outdoors more inclusive of black women.

10 What’s coming up on the horizon?

More than 500 women have joined since we started. Now we have chapters in London and the Midlands – and we’re launching more groups all over the country. As a result, I’ve quit my office job to focus full-time on Black Girls Hike – and we’ve become a Community Interest Company (a type of company that exists to benefit the community). We are going to be working with younger and older people. I’m proud to challenge stereotypes and prove that the outdoors is for everyone.

“Being able to explore the outdoors with people who share my experience provides a huge sense of relief ”