Skip to content

'I hold festive hikes after a lonely Christmas'

News imageJay Mistry Jay Mistry stands a top of a fell in the Lake District. He stands in front of a grassy gorge. He is wearing an orange thermal fleece and a lilac t-shirt. He is wearing a light blue cap with a branded logo on it. Jay Mistry
Jay Mistry says he "didn't want people to spend Christmas on their own"

A man who organises hikes over the festive period says he does not "want people to spend Christmas on their own".

Jay Mistry said he was inspired to hold walks in the Lake District around Christmas after he had no-one to celebrate with in 2019 and thought "there had to be more people like me".

The 39-year-old said "all were welcome" to join him on a hike up Latrigg Fell, adding he wanted to "bring happiness and memories".

Meanwhile in Northumberland, Newcastle Hiking Group has organised a walk up Simonside to "bring people together who would otherwise be spending time alone".

Mr Mistry, from Huddersfield, said: "I'm hoping that by doing these walk and socials, it gives people something to look forward to.

"In 2019, I had a Christmas where I was on my own, I had no partner and my folks were overseas and I couldn't escape with work either side of Christmas.

"I thought there has to be more people like me."

Mr Mistry said he got "nine amazing people" together that year for Scafell Pike, and then restarted the reunions in 2021 after the pandemic, until "we got almost 90 people out last year".

News imageJay Mistry A large group of people dressed in outdoor hiking clothing, many of them wearing red Santa hats. There are lots of dogs sat with their owners at the front of the group. The group are posed outside Moot Hall in Keswick, which has Christmas decorations on it.Jay Mistry
Mr Mistry said he got about 90 people together in 2024 for a festive hike

Mr Mistry said the hike would begin from Moot Hall, Keswick, at 10:00 GMT on Christmas Day.

He added the group would meet later in the afternoon at Oddfellows and the Crafty Baa if people did not want to walk but still wanted company.

He said another hike would go ahead up Catbells on Boxing Day too.

Mr Mistry said if he was not working, he was climbing mountains because "it really helps my mental health".

News imageThe Newcastle Hiking Group The Newcastle Hiking Group - a group of hikers stand together a top of a fell summit. The group are wearing winter warm clothing and outdoor gear. There are a few dogs. The cloud is thick grey and there is small layer of snow on the ground. The Newcastle Hiking Group
The Newcastle Hiking Group regularly arranges hikes to combat loneliness

James Musgrove, 44, is part of the Newcastle Hiking Group, which has encouraged people to walk in the hills for six years.

"Our walk is in the Northumberland National Park near Rothbury, we are doing a six-mile (9.6km) circular route taking in the Simonside hills and the summit of Simonside," he said.

Mr Musgrove, from Blyth, said: "We thought it would be a good idea to start a Christmas Day walk for anyone who would usually be spending time alone on Christmas Day.

"It can be such a difficult time of year for many people, it's a great way of bringing people together who would otherwise be spending time alone."

Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.

More like this