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Celebrating Trailblazing Women on International Women's Day
🌳International Women's Day is a perfect time to recognize the incredible contributions of women who are pushing boundaries, inspiring others, and promoting the love of the outdoors. Women around the world are making significant strides in hiking, adventure, and environmental advocacy, showing that the trails are for everyone. Whether it's through pioneering new paths, advocating for inclusivity, or simply sharing the beauty of the natural world, these women are proving that the outdoors is for all to explore, enjoy, and protect.
🚀Here are some of our standout women who have paved the way, both figuratively and literally, for future generations of female trail enthusiasts.
🔎Who do you recognise or relate to? Tell us in the comments!
1. Grandma Gatewood: A True Pioneer of the Appalachian Trail
"Because I wanted to." One of the most iconic figures in hiking history is Grandma Gatewood, the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail solo, back in 1955. At the age of 67, mother of 11 children, she defied expectations and walked the 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail, proving that age and gender are no barriers to adventure. She became an advocate for the trail, and her journey inspired countless others to take on the challenge. Her story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, passion, and a sense of adventure can make anyone a trailblazer...with 6 pairs of trainers, a blanket and a shower curtain!
2. Anjana Khatwa: Championing Diversity in the Outdoors
Anjana Khatwa, an Earth scientist and Ramblers Ambassador in 2020, is a strong advocate for making the outdoors accessible to all. Her work focuses on connecting people, particularly those from marginalized communities, with nature and outdoor spaces. Khatwa’s passion for promoting diversity in outdoor activities, including hiking, has made her a vital voice in increasing inclusivity in the outdoor industry. She is working tirelessly to break down the barriers to entry and encourage more women to engage with trails. You can pre-order her book The Whispers of Rock
3. Anastasia Allison: Revolutionizing Hygiene in the Outdoors
As the founder of Kula Cloth, Anastasia Allison has created a game-changing product that addresses an essential but often overlooked need in the outdoor community: hygiene.
As a dedicated hiker herself - "thoroughly obsessed with the wilderness" - Anastasia understands the challenges of staying clean while out on the trails. That's why she developed the Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth — a practical, eco-friendly solution for when nature calls. Helping to inspire others, "Life’s most challenging moments made sense to me through the lens of the trails...".
4. Elise Wortley: Encouraging Women to Embrace the Outdoors
Elise Wortley, the founder of Woman with Altitude, is on a mission to empower women to reach their full potential in the outdoors while highlighting exceptional female adventurers who came before her. Adventurer, writer and presenter, Elise redefines exploring. She is a passionate advocate for encouraging women to push their limits and find confidence on the trails having searched for ways to relieve her mental health issues herself and finding comfort in the outdoors. Inspiring women of all backgrounds to embrace the outdoors as a space for personal growth.
5. Rhiane Fatinikun: Empowering Black Women to Hike
As the founder of Black Girls Hike, Rhiane Fatinikun is working to bridge the gap between Black women and the outdoor community. By creating safe spaces for women to explore nature, Fatinikun aims to encourage more women of colour to hike, connect with nature, and overcome the challenges they may face in outdoor spaces. Through Black Girls Hike, Fatinikun is fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. They host nationwide UK group hikes, outdoor activity days, and training events.
6. Junko Tabei: First Woman to Summit Everest
Junko Tabei, the Japanese climber, made history as the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975. Her accomplishment was a huge milestone not only for women in climbing but also for women in the world of extreme outdoor adventure. Tabei’s accomplishments didn't stop there — she went on to climb the Seven Summits and inspire generations of female climbers. Her determination and pioneering spirit have solidified her place as one of the greatest figures in the history of mountaineering. Buy her book HERE.
7. Cheryl Strayed: Author of ‘Wild’ and Advocate for the Healing Power of the Trail
Known for her memoir, Wild, Cheryl Strayed is a powerful voice in the outdoor community. Strayed’s account of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone, following the loss of her mother and the unravelling of her personal life, has inspired countless people, particularly women, to take on long-distance hiking and find healing in nature. Her story encourages women to overcome their personal struggles and embrace the outdoors as a place for self-discovery and resilience. Buy her memoir HERE. Image credit: Cheryl Strayed
8. Heather Anderson (Anish): One of the World’s Fastest Long-Distance Hikers
Heather Anderson, also known as Anish, is one of the world’s fastest long-distance hikers, holding the record for completing the Pacific Crest Trail in 54 days, 7 hours, and 48 minutes. Anish’s speed and endurance are a testament to her incredible physical and mental strength, and she continues to inspire women who are interested in ultra-endurance hiking. Her achievements challenge the traditional narrative that long-distance hiking is a male-dominated sport and prove that women can excel at the highest levels. Buy her book THIRST here
9. Isabella Bird: Breaking Boundaries in the 19th Century
Isabella Bird was a trailblazer in the true sense of the word. The first woman to become a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Bird suffered from chronic back pain throughout her life. She followed her doctor’s advice: go on an adventure! Advice we can all do with! Freeing herself from the strict confines of Victorian England’s expectations for women she set off to travel the world. Her journeys took her to Australia, Hawaii, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Morocco, and the USA. She became known for riding horses in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Over the course of her travels, she covered 800 miles in the Rocky Mountains, documenting her experiences and writing books that inspired other women back home in Britain to explore the world. Buy 'A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains' HERE
10. Gertrude Bell: A Female Adventurer Beyond Hiking
Although Gertrude Bell may not have been a hiker, her adventurous spirit and ground-breaking work as an explorer, archaeologist, and diplomat are legendary. Known as the "Queen of the Desert," Bell was instrumental in mapping the deserts of the Middle East and influencing British policy in the region. Her travels and work in difficult terrains proved that women could thrive in challenging environments, breaking barriers for women in exploration, travel, and geopolitics. Want to know more about this amazing woman? Read Queen of the Desert: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell
These women, through their passion, perseverance, and trailblazing spirits, are opening the doors for the next generation of female hikers and outdoor adventurers. Whether they’re leading by example, advocating for inclusivity, or creating innovative solutions, they all share a commitment to making the outdoors a space for everyone.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate their achievements and continue to work towards a future where the trails are equally accessible, welcoming, and empowering for women everywhere. Here’s to the trailblazing women who inspire us to lace up our boots and get out there — the world is waiting for us to explore.
📣TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE FEMALE EXPLORERS, HIKERS OR ADVENTURERS. IS IT YOU? ⛰️
