The Merrell Hiking Club officially debuts in Italy Over 60 people gathered in the Regional Park of Montevecchia and the Curone Valley for an immersive outdoor experience
Saturday, October 3, 2026, more than 60 people gathered in the Regional Park of Montevecchia and the Curone Valley for an immersive outdoor experience to discover the suggestive Pyramids of Montevecchia, in Lombardy. Born as a European movement dedicated to making the outdoors more accessible, inclusive and welcoming, the Merrell Hiking Club is a community led by women that promotes excursions, training and sharing. The goal of Merrell, a global leader in outdoor footwear, is to break down barriers that limit access to outdoor activities, creating a safe space to build trust, acquire new skills and rediscover the connection with nature. After the success achieved in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Sweden, the project arrived in Italy, confirming the growth of an international network of enthusiasts.
Trekking in Montevecchia: 13 km between nature, guides and outdoor stories
The participants undertook an itinerary of about 13 km guided by local experts, who enriched the route with insights on flora, fauna and local morphology. The community was also accompanied by the two trailblazers of the event, Giulia Grollo and Giorgia Celante, who shared their personal journey to approach nature. Halfway through the itinerary, the group stopped at Cascina Ratta for a lunch based on local products and a short in-depth talk. Giorgia Celante recounted her experience in the Belluno Dolomites between shepherding, research and sustainable fashion focused on the enhancement of wool. Giulia Grollo, on the other hand, retraced the birth of her passion for hiking and the experience of her first solo journey undertaken in summer.
Field test: the Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX shoes in action
Along the way, participants were able to test the Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX, an iconic model of the Moab family and flagship product in the brand's Hiking category. The field test made it possible to experience comfort, stability and versatility on a real track, confirming the role of the Moab line as a reference point for outdoor excursions. Now in its fifth year of activity, the Merrell Hiking Club program continues to develop initiatives designed to promote women's inclusion in the outdoor world.
It starts Outside, a global platform that redefines outdoor
The initiative is part of the launch of It Starts Outside, the new global brand platform with which Merrell celebrates 45 years of adventure by redefining the very concept of outdoor. Founded on the idea that contact with nature is a simple and accessible way to rediscover well-being, creativity and connection from the first step outside the home, the project debuts with a global film brand and with the Merrell Outside: Futures program, created to invest in the future of outdoor design and creativity. At a time when people feel overwhelmed, digitally fatigued and trapped in frenetic rhythms, Merrell promotes a simpler message: the outdoors starts here, and it only takes a few steps to change the way we think and feel
