TLDR
- Hiking with Friendss is a community started by Sevvitaa Baskaran and Vanessa Lim Weng Yann to connect like-minded outdoor lovers and build friendships through group hikes.
- The group welcomes solo hikers and organizes both free and paid hikes, focusing on inclusivity and accessible trails for beginners.
- They have grown rapidly, hosting hikes locally and planning international trips to Nepal and Indonesia to share unique hiking experiences.
Not everyone in a friend group shares the same hobbies – and for some outdoor lovers, that can make planning a hike a little tricky. You might be eager to hit the trails and enjoy nature, only to realise your friends would rather sleep in or spend the weekend elsewhere.
For anyone who has ever wished for more like‑minded hiking buddies, communities like Hiking with Friendss are helping bridge that gap by bringing people together through a shared love for the outdoors.
The story behind the community
For both Sevvitaa Baskaran and Vanessa Lim Weng Yann, it all started with casual hikes with friends, which slowly turned into something bigger.
At the time, both friends—who have known each other since high school—were going through a period of uncertainty in their careers. Sevvita, also known as Sevv, is currently pursuing her professional papers (CLP) after completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB). Meanwhile, Vanessa, or Sasa, completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Finance, and is currently an ACCA affiliate.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
Through all the stress, hiking became something that helped the two of them cope. While they would occasionally invite friends to join their hikes, most were usually busy with their own commitments. That’s when the duo had the idea to create a small platform for people to join them.
“Instead of just two 24-year-olds hiking alone, we could slowly build a small group and share the experience with others. The simple idea eventually became the starting point of Hiking with Friendss, where we create a welcoming space for people to explore nature together and build genuine friendships along the way."
When asked how they came up with the name Hiking with Friendss, the duo shared that several names were suggested by close friends, but they eventually settled on this one.
As for the extra letter ‘S’, Sevv and Sasa explained that it represents both of their nicknames, which start with the letter S.
The hikes and friendships built along the way
Sevv and Sasa didn’t expect much when they announced their first group hike. Initially, they thought it would only attract some friends and followers. Instead, they were surprised by how open everyone was to meeting new people. Though many participants came alone, they were already chatting, sharing snacks, and helping one another within the first 30 minutes of the trail.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
“One moment that stood out, and made us realise our community was growing quickly, was when we saw how the number of participants increased significantly.
They shared, "For our first hike at Mirror Lake, Shah Alam, we had about 12 participants. Then, during the Lata Makau hike, we had around 35 participants. That definitely surprised us.”
Sevv and Sasa credit the emphasis on community and inclusivity as a key reason so many solo hikers feel encouraged to join.
They emphasised from the beginning that it’s completely okay to join a hike alone, as they themselves started the initiative to meet like‑minded people. Many participants choose to join because they want to connect with others who share similar interests, and the duo consistently works to create a friendly, supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable.
Hiking with Friendss usually announces upcoming hikes on Instagram. While some hikes are free, others are structured paid hikes where the duo helps organise permits and planning.
“For free hikes, we usually post the meeting point a day before, and whoever is available can simply show up. For paid hikes, we attach a QR code to our posts. Anyone interested can scan the code and fill in their details to register.”
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
When choosing hiking destinations, the duo shared that many lesser-known trails were discovered through their own exploration, recommendations from other hikers, or social media. They also aim to balance beautiful scenery with trail suitability, and they consider accessibility so that beginner hikers feel comfortable joining.
The joys and the struggles
For both Sevv and Sasa, there have been many memorable stories since starting the community. One such moment happened during a hike at Bukit Gasing in Petaling Jaya.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
They discovered that one of their followers actually drove from Melaka at around 5 am just to join the hike.
There was also a time when the group accidentally took a wrong turn. Instead of panicking, the situation turned into a bonding moment.
“It became a mini adventure of its own. People were joking, helping each other figure out the route, and enjoying the moment. It really showed the positive spirit of the group.”
Another standout experience was during a hike in Kuala Rompin, Pahang. The journey included two beautiful waterfalls, the Padang Batu Waterfall and the Ja’ang Waterfall, and was a challenging 12 km route that took about nine hours.
“What made it even more special was that many of us stayed together in an Airbnb after the hike, which allowed everyone to bond naturally,” they said.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
Of course, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. One of the biggest challenges is making sure everyone has a fun and comfortable experience as the community continues to grow.
“We wouldn’t say it was a huge fear, but we were slightly anxious about whether every participant would truly enjoy the experience. After all, many of them were strangers meeting for the first time."
"Thankfully, after all the hikes we’ve organised so far, participants always leave with big smiles on their faces, which reassures us that we’re creating a positive experience," they said.
The big dream
Although the community is gaining momentum, Sevv and Sasa hope to reach even more people and introduce them to hiking.
“It’s definitely very rewarding, knowing we’ve created a space where strangers can become friends. When we first started, we didn’t imagine it would grow into a community where people connect so naturally,” they said.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
For now, the duo is organising two international hiking trips, one to Mardi Himal in Nepal and another to Surabaya, Indonesia.
They added, “For the Surabaya trip, we actually did the same itinerary with our friends last year, visiting places like Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Mount Bromo, and Kawah Ijen. We found the trip affordable and enjoyable, so we wanted to share the experience with the community."
"Anyone interested can reach out to us, and we’ll help arrange the trip accordingly.”
Check out the community’s Instagram here.
Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
You may be interested in
Brownies Bucket bersama Premium Hazelnut Chocolate Dipping ️
Kurta Larik Petak Relaxed Fit
Nur Food Kurma Ajwa Madinah AA (1kg) (Nur Food Kurma Ajwa Madinah AA (1kg))
Sejadah baldu gebu tebal 5D
