Hiking and backpacking has surged in popularity among women, with each year bringing a higher percentage of women who hike into the backcountry. According to the most recent AT and PCT surveys, nearly half of all long distance thru hikers in the 2024 graduating class identified as women.
Women make up a significant portion of the community of hikers and backpackers, including Mildred Norman and Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, two of the sport’s early pioneers. The current record-holder for the Appalachian Trail’s Fastest Known Time is a woman named Tara Dower, completing the 2,197 mile trail in only 40 days, 18 hours, and 6 minutes.
Even though a lot of women who hike are well-known and successful, it can still be hard and scary to do so on your own. How do you find hiking companions who share your objectives and can relate to you? What kind of equipment do you require? How do you stay safe and build confidence in the backcountry? What do you do about periods?!
Whether you’re planning your first day hike, dreaming about a multi-day backcountry trek, or just want to be inspired by other amazing women, this article aims to be a comprehensive resource for women. We’ll cover everything you need to know to feel prepared and confident the next time you’re on trial, including essential gear, educational resources, women-only hiking groups, and inspiring tales of female trailblazers! One my favorite things about being a woman who hikes is belonging to an incredible community of dedicated, tough, and empowered women. You can learn important lessons, gain confidence, and be reminded that everyone deserves a place on the trail by listening to the stories of other female trailblazers. When I need a little extra motivation, these are some of my personal go-tos:
Books
“Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail” by Ben Montgomery – A story about Emma Gatewood, the 67-year-old grandmother who solo-hiked (in Keds!) the Appalachian Trail and reinvigorated the country’s love of the outdoors.
“Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home” by Heather Anderson – An intense retelling of Heather’s transformation from a self-proclaimed unathletic child to the record setter for Fastest Known Time of the Pacific Crest Trail.
“Wild” by Cheryl Strayed – A thoughtful memoir about self-discovery on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Films, Documentaries, and “The Hutmaster” (2020) A short documentary about the Croo, the team of primarily women and girls who work in and care for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s White Mountain Hut systems.
The story of ultramarathoner Nikki Kimball’s efforts to set the Fastest Known Time on Vermont’s Long Trail, the oldest thru-hike in the United States, is told in the 2015 film “Finding Traction.” The feature film version of the book by Cheryl Strayd, “Wild,” was released in 2014. Women to Follow on Blogs Jennifer Pharr Davis has written numerous guidebooks, memoirs, and an online blog titled The Trailblazer. Davis holds the previous record for the Appalachian Trail and was named Adventurer of the Year by National Geographic in 2012. Tara Dower holds the record for the Appalachian Trail, the Colorado Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and a number of other trails. She also won several Ultra-Marathons in first place. She vlogs her adventures, training videos, and general backpacking tips on her youtube account.
Elyse “Chardonnay” Walker was the first black woman to complete the “Triple Crown,” also known as the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, all of the major national scenic trails in the United States. You can read her blog here.
