Hiking Zen Retreat at Deer Park Monastery 2026

From March 1–7, 2026, nearly fifty lay friends and nine monastics gathered for our Hiking Zen Retreat, beginning and ending their journey at Deer Park. Carrying tents, cooking supplies, and simple meals, the community stepped into a week of mindful walking and camping together. Over five days, the sangha hiked between four and nine miles each day, practicing with each step across the rolling hills and quiet trails. Some practitioners carried only a daypack while volunteers lovingly transported larger backpacks between campgrounds, allowing many to walk with a lighter load. Our temporary home rested atop the mountain, where tents dotted the landscape and the gentle fragrance of lilacs blooming reminded us of the beauty of the present moment. Together we cooked simple vegetarian meals, set up our tents beneath open skies, and practiced mindfulness while walking, breathing, and sharing the stillness of the land. We were grateful for this week of togetherness, simplicity, and joy, all supported by the mountains, the earth beneath our feet, and the collective energy of the sangha. ?? Deer Park regularly hosts Hiking Zen activities, including backpacking retreats and day hikes where we practice mindful walking and sitting meditation, listen to short Dharma talks, and participate in Dharma sharing circles outdoors in nature. Occasionally we work with our sister centers in France and Germany to run special Hiking Zen retreats in locations worldwide. Learn more about our Hiking Zen initiatives and events at http://www.hikingzen.org. Video by Samuel Lu