About Us

Discover mountains and forget molehills

Mountains not molehills was created to share stories of days out in mountains, hills and parks across the UK and further afield, from day trips to multi-day hikes, and to create an inclusive, friendly community of walkers where everyone is welcome. We want to highlight the huge benefits walking or hiking can have on your mental health. Hiking for a healthier mind.

Mike Richardson

Mike is a Mancunian who is usually found hiking the boggy moors of the Peak District. Always a lover of outdoor adventures from hiking, snowboarding, mountain biking and water skiing, he has a passion for the outdoors and loves a pint after a day in the hills.

Louise Rhind-Tutt

Writer, editor and restaurant reviewer Louise was brought up close to the hills of the Peak District. A longtime keen walker, and recent enthusiastic convert to hiking mountains, she is at her happiest when going uphill.

Annette McQueen

Annette is a mountain girl at heart, a lover of the great outdoors and yoga. Having started hiking mountains in her early twenties, Annette has developed a love of trail running in the last few years. A regular competitor in ultramarathon races, running long distances up in the mountains and pushing her goals further each year to see where her limit lies.

Hiking for charity

Mountains not molehills support various charities through fundraising challenges. Charities we support are usually focused around mental health, cancer research and sick or vulnerable children. There are no shortage of amazing charities who need support and luckily for us there are no shortage of amazing challenges for us to undertake. We try to focus on a different charity each year to raise funds for.

Our charity for 2025

Throughout 2025 we will be raising money for the Action Medical Research for children charity. This will culminate in a group of us taking on the Race The Sun Challenge in Keswick on the 6th September 2025. A team of four of us will be cycling 34 miles, hiking up Skiddaw mountain and finally kayak our way around a 2-mile water course on Derwentwater.

Improving mental health awareness

Mountains not molehills aims to raise awareness of the benefits that walking and hiking have on mental health. Statistics released by the charity Mind show one in four people will suffer from a mental health problem each year. Hiking and walking is proven to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

We are not experts when it comes to mental health. We do, however, have a dedicated Mental Health page highlighting organisations who can help.