Why Walking Group Admins Should Use Walkmates (As Well As Facebook)
If you run a walking group on Facebook, hats off. It’s not easy. You’re herding cats half the time — answering the same questions, chasing up who’s coming, dealing with no-shows, late pull-outs, and the occasional random who thinks Ben Nevis is a good idea for their first ever hike.
Facebook groups are brilliant for community. But when it comes to actually running walks, they fall short. That’s where Walkmates comes in — not to replace your group, but to supplement it.
1. Use Walkmates to run the walk, Facebook to talk about it
Think of Walkmates as your backend. It handles the logistics — who’s coming, what the walk is, where it starts, how hard it is, and what the terrain's like. You create the walk once, share the link in your group, and people can sign up properly.
No more copy-pasting walk details into long threads. No more 47 questions about parking. It’s all there. Clear. Structured.
2. You get commitment — not just “interested”
Facebook’s full of ghost RSVPs. On Walkmates, people join your walk. That means you know who’s coming, you can message them directly, and you’ve got a reliable list. It’s the difference between “I might pop along” and “I’ve signed up, see you there.”
3. You save time and energy
Walkmates cuts the admin. No more spreadsheets, comments to track, or who’s-messaged-who chaos. It’s all in one place. Need to postpone? Update the walk, and everyone who’s joined gets notified. Done.
4. You grow beyond your group
Walkmates helps new people find your walks. Someone searching for a Cheviot hike this weekend might stumble across your event — and your group. You’re not limited to your Facebook bubble. That’s free promotion, with no algorithms throttling your reach.
5. You build a reputation
Walkmates lets you build up an organiser profile — with walk history, reviews, and a track record. That builds trust. New joiners can see you know your stuff. It also makes your group look more credible — like a proper walking outfit, not just a loose collection of posts.
6. You can offer Explorer Walks
Got popular routes you do again and again? Set them up as Explorer Walks. These are evergreen — no date, no time, just a great walk people can do whenever. It’s a brilliant way to keep your group engaged between events, and help new walkers get started.
7. You can still use Facebook — but better
Walkmates doesn’t compete with your Facebook group — it supercharges it. You keep the banter, the photos, the community. But when it’s time to actually plan and run a walk, you hand it off to a tool designed for the job.
Bottom line: Walkmates saves you time, makes your walks easier to run, and helps your group grow. It's not trying to steal your community — it's there to make your job easier and your walks more successful.
So next time you’re planning a walk, try this:
✅ Create it on Walkmates
✅ Share the link in your group
✅ Let the system handle the faff
Still your group. Just… a bit slicker.