The Mendip Mental Health Hike is back for 2026, and organisers are hoping that this will be the biggest one yet.
It started in 2024, when 45 people walked the 30 miles from Uphill near Weston-super-Mare, across the Mendips to finish in Wookey Hole. Tired but happy, they then had an after-party at the Wookey Hole Inn with live music, BBQ, raffle and auction. In total, the 2024 event raised £17,500 for the Wells-based mental health charity, Heads Up.
Last year the numbers were higher, with 60 people walking for charity and an similarly impressive amount raised.
The event was created by Chris Young, the owner of Wolf Barbers in Broad Street, and Neil Winterson, a client of Chris’ and the person behind Wells’ Men Walking and Talking group – which meets at St Cuthbert’s Church on Tuesdays at 7pm.
This year’s walk will take place on Sunday, 24th May, and participants meet up at the starting point at 7am, with the aim to finish in Wookey Hole around 7.30pm for the after-party.
If the prospect of walking the whole 30-mile route is a bit daunting for you, then there are other options. The minimum you can walk is four miles, but there are six options in total of varying length, and there are also three walking groups – moderate, intermediate and experienced – so you’re encouraged to walk within your means and never pressured to go further or harder than you feel comfortable with. Starting times are also staggered so everyone should finish their routes around the same time.
A number of local businesses are sponsors, including Cheddar Natural Spring Water (water for the hikers), Daniels Sandwich Bar (buffet lunch for everyone), Wells Cathedral School (minibus to take hikers to the starting points), Luke Phillips Photography (official photos), Burns the Bread (BBQ), HW Signs (finish line barrier) and John Tucker Carpentry (medals).
If you’re not available on that day though, or just want to donate to the event rather than actually walk it yourself, then MMHH has already set up the donation page online, which you can find at www.localgiving.org/fundraising/MMHH2026. Here you can donate, or if you click on ‘View Event’ you can sign up.
To find out more about the fantastic work that Heads Up does locally, go to their website at www.headsupsomerset.org.uk.