What is the difference between a Public Group and a Private Group?

Public groups can be searched by, and are visible to any person on Hike. Public groups are typically interest based and hobby based groups. In public groups, like minded people connect, share thoughts, and can communicate with each other.

Private groups, as the name suggests, are private. No one on Hike or outside of Hike can find them unless they are a member of the group. New members can only be invited by an existing member or the administrator of the group.