How this bushwalking group for rambling retirees is forging friendships and freedom

President Kathryn Brown said most of its 460 members are retired or semi-retired and range in age from their early 50s through to 90-plus.

RASA Bushwalkers are a subgroup of Retire Active SA, one of many South Australian volunteer-run community organisations providing rewarding activities for older people.

Ms Brown said it offers a comprehensive program of day walks with grades ranging from flat, short rambles followed by coffee to all day tramps in the more challenging sections of the Adelaide Hills.

"During the summer months we also offer two grades of early morning walks to beat the heat and enable members to keep up their walking fitness," she said.

"This equates to approximately 300 day walks per year. The club offers regular accommodation-based camps both within Australia and overseas, and the opportunity to walk the entire Heysen Trail in a supportive small group."

It is one of the state's largest bushwalking clubs.

"Members come from all walks of life, with a wealth of experience and knowledge which is freely shared with members having different interests such as flora, fauna, history, geography, and geology."

"Walks are an opportunity to engage socially, to enjoy nature and to feel the physical and mental benefits of outdoor activity.

"Members volunteer their time to plan and lead walks, manage club activities and co-ordinate camps. It is a friendly club that provides a supportive environment for older walkers to keep on walking and even challenge themselves."

The group's first walk was in Belair National Park on March 15, 1984.

"We don't have a record of the exact route of this walk but over the last 40 years RASA Bushwalkers have trod every path and trail in the park many hundreds of times including numerous walk and weed days with the Friends of Parks volunteers," Ms Brown said.

Visit www.retireactivesabushwalkers.org.au or phone 08-8211-9244 for more information.