feminist solitary hiking project

1. Behind riot trails

2. What riot trails offers

3. The three principles of riot trails

These principles are the result of a two year process, finding out what kind of hiking courses I would like to offer. They symbolize my passion and my values and I’m looking forward to see how they feel in practice. These are also the background or the “feminist solitary hiking trail guide”.

1. Out of your own door

After hiking a long distance trail as well as in the wilderness of Lapland, I found my passion in creating my own hiking routes, starting in front of my own door. As well as sleeping regular outdoors in my nearby nature. Throughout all seasons. It gives you more independence, is a great way to discover new places around you and built up a deeper connection to the place where you live. Regarding if you just moved there or already lived your whole life in this area. I’m sure exploring your surroundings by your own feet, gives you a new perspective on your home. And last but not least it makes hiking more a daily practice for well-being and small daily adventures instead of a long planned, expensive “once in a year holiday-trip”. Read more about how this concept and how it works in practice (coming soon).

2. Alone but together

For me hiking alone makes the difference. It’s about finding and enjoying your own rhythm. Your own unique rhythm of the combination of walking, your own thoughts and observing nature around you. Alone I can see so much more on nature and focus on small details (here an impression what I see) Taking time to listen to your bodies needs, eating and resting in your rhythm. Making breaks to write your own thoughts down, when it feels good for you. Being alone with your body in nature is empowering and joyful. And maybe a forgotten or unknown creative and playful side of you pops up. All these made hiking so special to me and that’s why I don’t want to offer guided group hikes, but focus on a “alone but together” concept in my courses. To enable these described experiences of hiking alone, but also built up connections and community. I am really looking forward to test this in practice! Read more about how this concept and how it works in practice (coming soon).

3. Intersectional feminist perspective

For me (especially solitary) hiking is a feminist practice. It’s a escape from patriarchal structures for a little while. We are still living in a society where women* grow up, learning to see their bodies mostly as a subject for the male desire or learning to serve more the needs of others, instead of learning to recognize their own needs and fulfilling these. Solitary hiking as a little escape can be very liberating, empowering and joyful and also offering inspirations for changing own attitudes in daily life. But exactly going hiking alone can be a difficult step for women*. With riot trails I want to face these obstacles, which prevent women* from going hiking alone. Studies show for example two reason : Women* often face a fear, which has it’s roots in a long history and still presence of violence against women*. In addition to that, women* were (are?) told that their place is the domestic sphere and not encouraged to go on solitary adventures. To enable a safe space, to reflect together about these topics, I offer courses only for women*. Read more about what else feminism has to do with hiking and how it influences my work (coming soon).