#hikeOctober
Join our eighth annual #hikeOctober campaign to raise awareness of the challenges of mental illness, fund mental health research and conserve wilderness trails. #hikeOctober is free to join, open to hikers of all experience levels, and an easy way for your walk in the woods, or around the park, to make an impact!
Sign up now, then hike or walk any distance, anywhere, by yourself or with a group, anytime in October!
Watch as we collectively build our community fundraising and hiking totals. Remember to hashtag #hikeOctober on your walking and hiking photos, and to connect with us via social media to hear campaign updates and share in the impact we all make as the HIKE for Mental Health team!
Registration is Closed
Funds raised
$0.00
Miles hiked
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Registration is Closed
What is #hikeOctober?
#hikeOctober is a month long celebration of the outdoors and the ways it can heal us. We hike because it is great for our own mental health; we hike to raise awareness of the stigma of mental illness; and we hike to raise money for mental health research and trail conservancy.
Who organizes #hikeOctober?
HIKE for Mental Health is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to overcoming the stigma of mental illness, promoting the benefits of outdoor activity, and conserving wilderness trails. Our hikeOctober planning team is a diverse group of men and women around the country who volunteer their time throughout the year to organize and promote this campaign, including team lead Brayden Donnelly and team members Brielle Brack, Cristen Heavens, and Shianne Purvis.
What has #hikeOctober accomplished?
Since our first #hikeOctober in 2017, the #hikeOctober community has raised $74,984, hiked 19,200 miles, and brought together 814 participants! We have had involvement from nearly every state in the US and even hikers from various countries around the world. And, since we started keeping track in 2020, our all-volunteer team has logged nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer effort. Numbers like these show the incredible effort that can be made when passionate people get together for a common goal. So, please join the #hikeOctober campaign to see how you can make a difference!
How far do I have to hike?
You can hike or walk as little or as much as you want. It is completely up to you. Once you sign up, you will be able to add your hiking mileage to the #hikeOctober community total. As you add more hikes, you will receive online “badges” to share your achievements with friends via social media. Let’s see how far we can hike together this year!
Where do I hike?
Anywhere you want! Any hike or walk during October in honor of the campaign can be part of our #hikeOctober. A 20 mile backpacking trip or a 2 mile walk in the town park – it’s all good! Take one big trip, or walk a little every day. You decide how you want to #hikeOctober and how you’ll make a difference.
Is there a cost to sign up?
No, it is completely free. Remember to share the news with your friends and encourage them to take part.
How does the fundraising work?
When you sign up, you get to personalize a fundraising page. By sharing your page with others, you build awareness and give them an opportunity to make a donation to the campaign. There is no minimum fundraising requirement to participate, but everyone who reaches $250 or more by the end of October will receive a cool, quick-dry HIKE for Mental Health hiking shirt.
Where does the money go?
HIKE for Mental Health is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on the vision of a world in which everyone, including those who suffer mental illness, can find the simple joy of living. Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of those afflicted by mental illness, eliminate the associated stigma, and to foster responsible use of wilderness trails. As an all-volunteer organization, we distribute 100% of contributions raised by our hikers.
- 80 cents from every dollar funds scientific research to understand, prevent, and treat mental illness
- 20 cents maintains and preserves wilderness trails
Your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS. To learn more, visit hikeformentalhealth.org.
How do I update my mileage?
After you sign up, you can update your mileage anytime by scrolling to the alphabetical list at the bottom of this page, and clicking the “update” link next to your mileage.
What organized group hikes does HIKE for Mental Health have this year?
You can view our full slate of hikes anytime on our hike schedule page.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.
Remember to hashtag #hikeOctober during your October walks and hikes and then follow us on social media for the chance to see one of your very own #hikeOctober photos!
