To be honest we would rather talk about you and your needs rather than about us - but you are here to check us out a bit - so here goes...
Born about 10 years ago initially as 'Nics Nordic Walks', and now 'Hiking highs' we have developed and expanded our reach and our team.
Although bigger, our ethos is the same:
To empower people from all backgrounds and all abilities to prosper and enjoy the wonderful outdoors
To get a Hiking High in fact...
We do this through guiding, teaching and organising breaks and events
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We had a great day with Nicky walking up to Greenside mine and beyond at the foot of Catsycam. We went up to the snowline and came down across the fells away from the well trodden paths, a most excellent day out.
Debbie Smith2023
No one knows the fells around Ullswater quite like Nic & her team. They are incredibly flexible, will tailor everything your requirements and will make sure you have the best time possible. Nic's pre-walk research always means she has a new fact (or ten) every time you go out, so not only is it a great walk, but you learn as you go too!
Matt Hutchinson2022
Our Team
10 guides
All our walking days are guided by our superb team of qualified Mountain Leaders who are a fountain of knowledge about the Lake District valleys & fells
See full team info-
Nicky Merrett
Mountain Leader, Navigation & Poles Coach
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Rob Brown
Summer & Winter Mountain Leader, Navigation coach
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Gary Lingard
Mountain Leader & Navigation Coach
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Rachel Platt
Mountain Leader & Geology Expert
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Sean Bolland
Mountain Leader, Navigation & Poles Coach
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Louise Greenwood
Fell Guide
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Bryony Catlow
Fell Guide
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Dave Pratt
Mountain Leader
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Steve Hopwood
Mountain Leader
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Zac Poulton
Mountain Leader
Our Story
and our development
Hiking Highs has evolved since May 2015, here is our story...
In 2014 Nic left a life based in the office and into the outdoors, 'Nics Nordic Walks' emerged as Nic aimed to inspire others with fitness outdoors and a gym without walls. She began teaching folk from all walks of life... from the fittest of fell walkers to the likes of her mum with two new hips and everyone in between with a story. It all started with Nic teaching Nordic walking from the National Trust's Fell Foot Park on the shores of Windermere every Friday.
With a team of fabulous walk leaders, the team led regular walks all over the Lake District. A few people looked at the mountain skylines and asked Nic, "Can you can take me up there please?". So Nic booked her Mountain Leader training, passed with flying colours and Hiking Highs went to the mountain skylines that our gang of jolly hikers was so keen to explore.
Nic Nordic Walking took a side step to WALX Helvellyn and Ullswater to continue her Nordic Walking teaching journey. Hiking Highs emerged alongside this so we could give you skills for hills and adventures in the mountains including largely navigation tuition.
Hiking Highs is jumping ahead with leaps and bounds giving fell walkers, the tools in the box for the fells, this now includes teaching folk to have fun with a map and compass, but also the importance of the safety element of navigation. Nic delivers many courses through NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme), a nationally accredited program, up to the Gold Level.
Hiking Highs works on the idea that we're 'Messing around in the mountains with maps, you don't have to tick off the tops, a journey into the Lake District Fells is what everyone needs... whatever your level'!
