Free delivery on orders over £809 Women-led Outdoor Organisations
There's nothing quite like heading out on an adventure with like-minded people. That's why we're highlighting 10 great women-led groups that give women the confidence to enjoy the great outdoors
Lack of diversity, sexism and safety concerns – there are many reasons why women may feel more confident in a group.
Research even shows that women are accessing the outdoors less. The Women in the Hills research network found in 2020 only 35% of participants in general outdoor activities and 20% in mountain sports are female. The Love Her Wild 2021 survey also found 62% of respondents have been treated differently in the outdoors because of their gender. That’s why we find it so important to highlight these groups.
Girls On Hills
Photo credit: Girls On Hills
Founded by Keri Wallace and Nancy Kennedy, Girls On Hills are Scotland’s only women's specific guided trail/fell running company. They are based in the Glencoe area and offer a fantastic way for new female off-road runners to get into the sport, arranging guided runs throughout the year.
Girls On Hills also offer guided hillwalking, mountain safety courses and a monthly navigation essential course. If you're a new/intermediate hillwalker or runner, then Girls On Hills offer all you need to develop and learn your skills.
The Adventure Running Company
Photo credit: The Adventure Running Company
The Chamonix based Adventure Running Company was founded by friends Sam Brooks and Nikki Barnard. Between them they have run the Everest Marathon, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc series alongside arranging countless running holidays for themselves and friends. Drawing on that experience, as The Adventure Running Company, the team organise pulse-racing off-road adventures in some of the world’s best running destinations.
Depending on your experience level there are trips catered to all levels. Options include running holidays to Wales, France, Italy, Morocco, Africa and more.
Ski Goddess
Photo credit: Ski Goddess
Ski Goddess, founded by instructor Katie Dobson, offers women-only ski courses/holidays. Based in Châtel in the Portes du Soleil, you have the option of 3, 4, and 5-day courses which cater for all abilities and allow you to progress your skiing with personalised coaching.
By understanding that women are bio-mechanically different from men and generally learn differently, Ski Goddess offers an invaluable opportunity for women to advance their skiing. By helping women find the joy in skiing, rather than the fear, time spent with Ski Goddess will ultimately help you get more from your trips to the slopes. Not only can you expect personalised teaching within a female-only group of skiers, but Ski Goddess offers the full ski experience including your own chalet chef, après ski and video analysis sessions.
Love Her Wild
Photo credit: Love Her Wild
Love Her Wild was founded by Bex Band and has grown to become a huge online outdoor community for women. The community has local groups across the country so that you can meet up with other like-minded women and head out on your own adventure.
Alongside the community aspect of Love Her Wild, they also organise official adventures across the UK and further afield. The adventures offer an opportunity to learn new skills, push your comfort levels and immerse yourself in the outdoors with like-minded women.
Adventure Queens
Photo credit: Adventure Queens
Adventure Queens is a UK-based community created to help overcome the barriers that prevent women from going on outdoor adventures.
They host spaces, both outdoors and online, to bring the community together to share stories, experiences and advice in safe, supportive and non-judgmental ways. It’s about sharing skills and building confidence for the everyday adventurer to grow.
Since 2017, their community has grown to over 15,000 women, with 25 regional groups, one Mum’s group and three international groups. They’ve had hundreds of events from campouts, local meet-ups and in-store partner events.
ClimbMuz
Photo credit: ClimbMuz
ClimbMuz was founded in 2021 to encourage more Muslim women, ethnic minority groups and POC to try climbing. They aim to create a safe space to climb alongside other women in an inclusive environment. Founder Siddrah was introduced to climbing in her 20s. After initially not minding being a minority at the climbing wall she realised that the lack of diversity in the climbing walls was down to lack of representation. Wanting to make a change creating an inclusive, welcoming space using events was a way felt she could help. Running groups at her local climbing wall and offering places to Muslim women who have never stepped foot in a climbing wall before.
Black Girls Hike
Photo credit: Black Girls Hike
Founded in 2019 by Rhiane Fatinikun, Black Girls Hike provides a safe space for black women to explore the outdoors. They host nationwide group hikes, outdoor activity days, and training events. First started as a small group in Manchester it has now grown to a nationwide group with leaders across the country. Rhiane puts the success of the group down to the fact that it was needed by the community. Other organisations weren't fulfilling those needs, so they were filling a gap.
Gutsy Girls
Photo credit: Gutsy Girls
Gutsy Girls is a travel and adventure company for women. Their mission is to inspire and empower women to step beyond their comfort zones. They are a group that strives to be approachable, welcoming, and fun. They create small group adventure holidays for solo women travellers. They are inclusive to all women, regardless of age, race, shape, size, ability, or background.
The Wanderlust Women
Photo credit: The Wanderlust Women
The Wanderlust Women is an initiative born out of the need to normalise Muslim women exploring and being visible in the great outdoors. They are a hiking and adventure group that provides like-minded women with the space, knowledge and skills to explore green spaces with confidence.
Their audience is predominately Muslim women, and they provide a sense of community and a safe space. Their vision is centred around representation, inclusivity, and visibility for Muslim women.
Founded by Amira in 2020. Since then they have led opportunities from courses on navigation and outdoor skills to day activities in hiking, rock climbing, ghyll scrambling, wild swimming, wild camping, paddle boarding, and even mountain biking. They have recently expanded overseas, offering hiking adventures and expeditions worldwide.
You May Also Be Interested In...
|
|
|
