Why women are choosing to hike together

Location: Kananaskis, AB Trail: Warspite Lake

On a clear morning in Alberta, a small group of women gather at a trailhead. Some of them have hiked for years. Others are here for the first time, unsure of their pace, their footing or their place. What brings them together is not distance or elevation. It is the simple promise of not being alone.

For Janine Dersch, this promise has become a meaning-building calling. Over the past four years, she has been quietly building women-led hiking and outdoor groups. What began as a practical response to fear has grown into a network of shared confidence, connection and care.

Dersch grew up just outside Calgary on a farm, where being outdoors was part of daily life. Camping, hiking and working outside shaped her long before she ever thought of organizing group outings. But when she adopted dogs and began spending more time on trails near home, a new reality set in. Living in bear country meant hiking alone felt intimidating, especially with puppies in tow. She wanted company, and she wanted safety. At first, she hosted small group hikes through a third-party Instagram account for dogs and their humans.

The response surprised her. Five, then ten people began showing up, many of them mutuals from instagram. One of those early hikes led to a close friendship, and when that friend eventually moved away, Dersch realized she did not want the sense of connection to disappear.

“I ended up meeting one of my best friends through that," Dersch says. "When she moved away, I was like, ‘Okay, I wanna keep doing that. I miss that connection. I miss the sense of comfort and space that I found with that."

So, she started asking a simple question in her Instagram stories: Did anyone want to go hiking together? The interest was immediate. People were moving to Calgary during a period when social routines had been disrupted by COVID-19 and community was harder to find. Group hikes became a steady point of connection, a way to move bodies and calm minds while getting to know others at a human pace.

I’ve made so many memorable moments

"I always love and find it amazing when women have the confidence to just show up outside with a bunch of strangers, just because it can be so daunting and I’m glad that I have an account that makes them feel safe enough to do so."

Dersch is intentional about how she chooses locations. Trails are kept close to the city when possible, familiar routes near Kananaskis and Banff that balance accessibility with expansive scenery. Difficulty levels are chosen with care, and expectations are clear. There is no pressure to reach a summit, no requirement to keep up and no judgment if someone turns back early. Breaks are taken as often as needed.

"We are in no rush and if somebody turns back early that’s okay, this is their hike, and they can make it what they want to get out of it—hopefully if you make a friend or two along the way that’s amazing," Dersch says.

Women of different ages, fitness levels and backgrounds show up knowing they will be met with patience rather than comparison. For many participants, this is the first time they feel free to hike at their own pace without apology.

Location: Kananaskis PLUZ, AB Trail: Fullerton Loop

Safety is central to everything Dersch does. She is clear that she is not a guide, and she encourages participants to research trails and make informed decisions for themselves.

“I can never 100% guarantee safety, I’m not an official guide, so I absolutely do make sure anybody participating understands that there’s an expectation that they also look up the trail and make a call on whether or not it is a safe trail for them to do regardless of their experience," Dersch says.

Before each hike, group chats cover weather conditions, trail reports, wildlife activity, and recommended gear. Bear spray is discussed openly and practically, ensuring the group is prepared without unnecessary duplication.

“Bear spray is obviously always needed, but we also don’t need 13 cans of it. So, we talk about it to figure out what people need and don’t need.”

As a first responder, Dersch also brings professional situational awareness to every outing, and she is willing to turn back when conditions call for it. Yet the impact of these hikes goes far beyond logistics.

Dersch has watched confidence grow in subtle ways. She remembers one recent hike where a new participant joined a group of women who already knew one another. Showing up alone took courage. Near the end of the day, that woman told Dersch it was the most fun she had ever had hiking.

“I just thought that was the sweetest moment and it brought me back to why I keep doing this,” Dersch says.

Moments like that are a reminder of why she keeps organizing, even when her own introversion and social anxiety make it challenging.

“Some will join these hikes, but meet us at the end of the trail—already at the viewpoint when we're halfway up. They feel comfortable doing that because they know somebody else on the trail is looking out for them.”

Nature, she says, does most of the work. She does not need to entertain or orchestrate conversation. Introductions happen, and then people walk, talk, or stay quiet as they choose. Phones come out for photos, then go away again. Conversations stretch easily, connected by the shared experience of the day.

“We also stop at the end of the trail for a period of time, just so everybody can enjoy it. I try to have a kind of tailgate in the parking lot with hot chocolate where we’ll stand around and chat. Just letting people choose what they want out of it, I think, has been the biggest thing to encourage them to be present with it,” Dersch says.

Spending time outdoors has been transformative for Dersch’s mental health. Splitting her time evenly between work and personal life, she found that prioritizing outdoor time made everything feel lighter.

Things don't feel so heavy when I go outside. Everything just seems to calm my nerves and anxiety

Being outside and in community reminded her that problems often shrink when set against mountains and open sky. Certain places have, therefore, become markers in her journey. Warspite Lake holds particular meaning after hosting her largest group hike there for International Women’s Day.

International Womens Day Hike

Twenty-one women showed up under blue skies, supported by local sponsors who provided small

comforts after the hike. Little Arthusia is another favorite, a trail she returns to in different seasons,

sharing it with groups when conditions allow. As word spread, so did participation. Women began

traveling hours to join the hikes and camping trips.

“It does surprise me when I get to learn where people are from. A girl from Prince George drove down, which is an 8-hour drive. Some people in Edmonton will drive down for day hikes, which is a 3-hour drive. It’s been really crazy but cool to see just how far social media can reach and how many people I can bring together,” Dersch says.

Some friendships formed on the trail continued long after the events ended, with participants organizing their own outings together. One woman in Texas has started hosting her own women’s hiking and camping events after being inspired by Dersch’s instagram.

The scope of the gatherings has grown organically. Hiking led to cross-country skiing, camping trips, and plans for future snowshoeing and overnight winter outings. Planning happens collaboratively through Instagram channels and group polls, allowing participants to shape what comes next. For Dersch, this responsiveness is part of the ethic.

These spaces exist for the women who show up. Looking ahead, she is preparing for a new year of hikes, seasonal camping trips, and larger gatherings centered around women’s milestones.

“I do use my stories on Instagram quite a lot for kind of communicating, but my Instagram channel is where I do all of the group stuff. I'll post polls to figure out what people in that group want because it's specifically made for the people interested in the events.”

She remains open to suggestions, guided by what those in the budding community think would be fun. When asked what she hopes women take from these experiences, her answer is simple: Take up space.

It is there for us women and we can get so much out of it once we start doing it

For women who feel intimidated by hiking or unsure where to begin, Dersch offers practical advice. Start with one trusted friend, choose a familiar trail with cell service, and keep it small. Only put the invitation out publicly if it feels safe to do so.

“People will come together so quickly,” Dersch says, “Sometimes it only takes one to two people to get outdoors. Then, next thing you know, they bring their friends next time and more friends after that. One day you'll realize you’ve got this big group and people will keep showing up.”

You can follow Janine’s continued journey on Instagram: @outdoorsycrew | Website & Blog:

outdoorsycrew.mypixieset.com