Just moved to Bellingham, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Greater Bellingham Running Club
Mondays, 6:30pm · all paces, rotating trailheads
Rotating local trailheads
The club’s flagship weekly trail run — show up at the posted trailhead and run with a pace group.
Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition
Seasonal community rides on Galbraith — see calendar
Galbraith Mountain trailheads
Group rides on the 70+ miles of singletrack the coalition builds and maintains on Galbraith Mountain.
Whatcom Association of Kayak Enthusiasts
Ten monthly meetings a year + free instruction — see calendar
See WAKE website
Bellingham’s sea-kayak community — monthly meetups plus free instruction and group trips on the Salish Sea.
Greater Bellingham Running Club
Wednesdays, 6–7pm · structured workout at the WWU track
Greater Bellingham Running Club
Seasonal local race series — see calendar
Varies by event
Tuesdays, 6:00pm · all paces, pace-grouped
Tuesdays, 6:00pm · road or trail route, pace-grouped
Community swim/bike/run workouts — see schedule
Varies by discipline
Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition
Volunteer trail-building days — see calendar
Galbraith Mountain trailheads
Weekend group hikes — see schedule
Rotating North Cascades trailheads
Winter snowshoe outings — see schedule
Rotating Mt. Baker-area trailheads
Winter cross-country ski outings — see schedule
Rotating Mt. Baker-area sno-parks
Seasonal paddle outings — see schedule
Rotating Salish Sea launches
The Mountaineers — Bellingham Branch
Branch hikes & trips year-round — see activity calendar
Rotating North Cascades trailheads
The Mountaineers — Bellingham Branch
Climbing courses & outings — see activity calendar
Varies by course
The Mountaineers — Bellingham Branch
Winter snowshoe trips — see activity calendar
Rotating Mt. Baker-area trailheads
Guided hikes on protected lands — see events
Rotating conserved properties
Saturday mornings, Spring & Fall, 9am–noon · volunteer restoration & stewardship
Rotating conserved properties
Daily 11am–9pm (24-hour access for members) · clinics, youth & yoga programs
WWU Wade King Rec Center Climbing Wall
Open climb during posted hours · students + alumni/guests
Winter group ski outings on groomed trails — see schedule
Monthly club meetings — see schedule
See club website
North Cascades Audubon Society
Monthly urban birding walks in Bellingham — see calendar
Rotating Bellingham parks
North Cascades Audubon Society
Year-round birding field trips — see calendar
Rotating Whatcom County sites
North Cascades Audubon Society
Fourth Sunday of the month, 1–3pm · Hall of Birds program
See chapter website
A monthly fourth-Sunday program for the local birding community.
North Sound Chapter, Trout Unlimited
Chapter meetings & events on Nooksack/Skagit waters — see schedule
See chapter page
Fly-fishing classes & guided outings — see shop schedule
Whatcom Association of Kayak Enthusiasts
Winter pool sessions for skills practice — see calendar
See WAKE website
Whatcom Association of Kayak Enthusiasts
Wednesday evenings after work, most of the year · straight paddle or skills session
See WAKE website
Paddling classes, rentals & community paddles — see schedule
Community Boating Center, Bellingham Bay
Mt. Baker Ski Area — Mountain Education Center
Avalanche-awareness & backcountry-fundamentals clinics — see schedule
Guided excursions & clinics — see program calendar
Sea-kayak trips, clinics & rentals — see program calendar
WOOT orientation trips + ski/climb/raft clinics — see calendar