As we head towards 2026, I’ve been spending some time reflecting.
Walking forward, while protecting what matters
Adventure Geek has grown in ways I never could have imagined. What started as a walking club has quietly become something much bigger — a community where people feel accepted, supported, challenged, and part of something meaningful.
My focus word for 2026 is Protect.
Protect the magic.
Protect the people.
And, if I’m honest, protect myself too, so I can keep doing this for years to come.
With that in mind, I wanted to share how Adventure Geek will be evolving over the coming year.
From walking club to Adventure Geek Community
Walking and adventure will always be at the heart of Adventure Geek. That’s not changing.
But it’s also clear that what brings people together isn’t just the walks. It’s the socials, the book club, the quizzes, the photo competitions, the shared laughs, the friendships, and the feeling of belonging.
So you’ll start to see Adventure Geek referred to more as a community, rather than simply a walking club. That’s not a reinvention — it’s a reflection of what already exists.
What’s staying the same?
Before I talk about what’s new, I want to be really clear about what isn’t going anywhere:
- Walking will always be at the core (morning miracle walks, evenings, daytime and weekend walks – it’s all staying the same).
- Adventures – I will always lead Camino’s each year, and a couple of other big hikes, but I also have trusted partners who will lead other adventures for me. I trialled the trusted partner idea in 2025 with various trips such as the Isle of Man, Iberian Lynx trip etc and it has worked well.
- A friendly, welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, always!
- The Adventure Geek “feel”, the magic, the humour, the sense of being part of something special (and not forgetting Kipper in his various outfits!).
That heart stays exactly where it is.
Protecting the magic
One thing I want to be really clear about is this: Adventure Geek isn’t about doing more.
Many of the changes you’ll see in 2026 are about doing things more sustainably, not adding pressure or pace. A lot of the groundwork is already in place, and where new ideas are introduced, they’ll be grown gently and intentionally.
Not everything will happen at once. Some ideas may evolve slowly, others may remain occasional. What matters most is protecting the heart of Adventure Geek — the sense of belonging, the care, the laughter, and the feeling that this is a safe and welcoming space.
Quality will always come before quantity.
And if something ever risks diluting the magic, it won’t be pursued.
Socials – Member led, and AG organised
Adventure Geek socials — adventure comes in many forms.One of the things I’m most proud of is how many socials already happen within the community.
At the moment, we have around four socials a month, many of which are organised by members, for members — theatre trips, concerts, carols at Warwick Castle, axe throwing, meals out and more. That member-led energy is brilliant, and it will absolutely continue.
Alongside this, I’ll also be introducing regular Adventure Geek–organised socials, so there are a few familiar fixtures in the calendar that people can rely on.
These already include:
- The book club
- The regular quiz night
And I’ll be exploring adding two extra things to regular socials (below are some thoughts / examples)
- A regular film night, or simply meeting up for a relaxed drink or meal
- Yoga, Pilates, Soundbaths – something mindful.
- Netball (mixed or women’s), Walking football
- Something to do with food? The bread-making was popular last year.
- Darts league, Skittles, Pool team
- Dancing, choirs or something musical
- Dragon boat racing
- Board game nights or a board game league
We also already have a puzzle group, which I’d love to bring to life a little more — perhaps with regular meet-ups or friendly challenges.
The idea isn’t to do everything. It’s to create a handful of welcoming options where people can show up, join in, and feel part of something — even if walking isn’t their thing.
New regular adventures – including minibus trips
Some adventures work really well when we travel together.
After the success of the Lavender Fields trip this year, I’ll be using minibus travel more often for selected adventures, making things easier and more sociable.
Trips already planned include:
- The Battlefield Trail (Leicestershire)
- The National Arboretum Trail (November)
- The Daffodil Trail (late March)
Monthly Pointy Map Walk
From 2026, I’ll be introducing a members-only Pointy Map Walk on the 3rd Tuesday of every month (If I am away then then we will swap to another day).
A chance to explore routes a little differently, build confidence, and enjoy the joy of navigation together.
Photo competition – more interaction, more fun
The monthly photo competition will continue, but voting will now include:
- A Facebook voting page
- Likes and loves on WhatsApp
Every interaction will count, so getting involved really matters.
Themes will continue to be chosen using the poll system, which has been working brilliantly.
Fundraising – doing more together
In 2025 I didn’t do as much fundraising through Adventure Geek as I would have liked, even though I raised funds through my speaking gigs.
In 2026, I’ll be introducing regular treasure hunts to raise money for SHOUT, alongside the continued sale of SHOUT t-shirts and fleeces.
Self-guided adventures – with Adventure Geek magic
I’ll be placing much more focus on self-guided adventures, particularly routes I know inside out, including:
- Camino routes
- Hadrian’s Wall
- The South Downs Way
- The West Highland Way
- Adventure weekends away
These won’t be “here’s a route, off you go”.
They’ll include:
- Hand-picked accommodation
- Clear guidance on what to see along the way
- A Zoom session before you go to talk everything through
- Support via WhatsApp during your trip
I may not be walking beside you, but I’ll very much be with you.
Capturing the stories – Adventure Geek Travel Blogs
Many of you know that alongside leading adventures, I’ve always loved writing about them.
Over the years, lots of people have told me how much they enjoy reading my travel blogs, not just for the routes, but for the stories, the honesty, the moments in between, and the things you don’t always see on a map.
So in 2026, I’m taking this a step further.
I’ve teamed up with a designer, and the first of many Adventure Geek travel blogs will be published on Amazon in January.
We’ve created a really lovely process together that allows each travel blog to include:
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The story of the journey
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Photographs
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Packing lists
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Practical advice for that particular trail
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Fun facts and things to look out for along the way
There are plenty of past adventures to backdate, but now that the process is established, it won’t take long to work through them.
This feels like a natural extension of Adventure Geek, capturing the adventure, preserving the experience, and making it accessible to people whether they’re walking the trail themselves, planning a future trip, or simply enjoying the story.
It also supports the quieter, residual income side of the business, helping Adventure Geek grow in a way that’s sustainable long term.
Mystery Adventures
I’m also leaning back into proper Adventure.
I have two mystery adventures planned — small groups of just 12 people, something a bit more extreme, a bit thrilling, and very much in the spirit of Adventure Geek.
Watch this space…
Adventure Partners & new horizons
In 2026, I’ll be developing and extending relationships with trusted Adventure Partners who share the Adventure Geek ethos ( I like the word “Ethos”), so people know exactly what to expect when they book.
This opens the door to:
- Cycling adventures
- New UK destinations
- Expansion into places like Portugal, Mallorca and Ireland, with eyes on 2027
The magic stays. The delivery evolves.
Our purpose
Adventure Geek exists to create spaces where people feel they belong, where adventure builds confidence, connection and courage, and where people discover more about themselves than they expected.
It’s not about being the fastest, fittest or bravest. It’s about showing up as you are, being welcomed, and finding adventure in ways that feel safe, meaningful and joyful.
Adventure Geek core values
- Belonging comes first – Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to fit a mould, keep up, or prove anything.
- Adventure builds confidence – Big or small, every step outside your comfort zone counts.
- People over pace – Connection, experience and enjoyment matter more than speed or performance.
- Kindness, always – We look out for each other, listen, and treat people with respect.
- Care for the whole person – Mental wellbeing matters just as much as physical movement.
- Sustainability matters – We make choices that protect people, the outdoors, and the long-term health of the community.
These values guide how Adventure Geek grows and help protect what makes it special — now and into the future.
A final word
Adventure Geek isn’t slowing down. It’s protecting what makes it special.
My intention for 2026 is simple: to create adventure, connection and belonging in a way that’s sustainable, joyful, and true to who we are, including me.
Thank you for being part of the community. The best is yet to come.
Love ya loads. x
Julia 💛