Even though hiking is a solitary diversion, many hikers crave companionship. Enter Go Wild Hikers, which organizes group hikes in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Lake counties every weekend of the year.
Executive director Zoli Somogyi of Santa Rosa plots and leads all the hikes himself, sharing his love of the great outdoors with up to 35 friends on any given trip, building community with every step.
“It’s one thing to experience the beauty of Sonoma and Marin counties on your own, but to experience it with other people makes it extra special,” says Somogyi, who has led more than 350 hikes in just over seven years. “The more people participate, the more comfortable they get with themselves, with the outdoors, and with others in the group.”
Most Go Wild hikes average between 4-9 miles, last anywhere from two to six hours, and max out at 1,000-feet gain in elevation. Degrees of difficulty for each hike vary, and participants usually form smaller groups based on strength and skill levels. Some hikes — at least one each month — even accommodate dogs, and all end with an optional post-hike get-together at local pubs and restaurants.
Go Wild suggests a $5 donation each hike, and hikers must cover necessary parking fees at regional and state park outings.
To sign up for a hike, visit the Go Wild page on heylo.com.
Zoli Somogyi’s Favorite Hikes
Pomo Canyon: “From the coast to the canyon, you hike through several different ecosystems. It’s beautiful the whole way.”
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park: “On a clear day, you can see the entire Bay Area from the top of this hike. It makes you realize how close we are to everything else.”
Jack London State Historic Park: “The hike I do there has something for everyone: an orchard, a lake, some redwoods. It packs a lot in.”
Jenner Headlands: “Groups usually say this hike is arduous. I like to think of it as challenging. And spectacular.”
This article was excerpted from our Ultimate Guide to Sonoma County’s Great Outdoors, originally published in the July/August 2026 issue of Sonoma Magazine.
