Solo female hiking numbers rise across UK and Europe
Women in the UK and Europe are increasingly choosing solo autumn walks despite lingering fears about safety.
Recent surge in participation
The proportion of women solo hiking in the UK increased by 27 percent between 2020 and 2022. In America, 41 percent of female hikers report regularly walking alone. Researchers note that many women remain hesitant to start this activity.
Reasons for hesitation
Interviewees expressed nervousness about potential dangers like getting lost or encountering dangerous animals. Some women feel intimidated even though they want to join the tradition of solo walking. Fear often outweighs the desire for silence and solitude in empty wilderness.
Historical context
Women have long enjoyed a tradition of wandering radically alone through wild landscapes. Past examples include religious pilgrims, goat herders, and 19th-century adventurers who walked without companions. New walkers can learn simple ways to make the experience fun rather than daunting.
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