This website for women hikers was a long time coming....beginning in 1971 when a 14 year old girl put on her first external frame backpack and went on a week-long Girl Scout expedition into the Porcupine Mountains. That youngster went on to hike many trails and learn (sometimes the hard way) how to take care of herself in the great outdoors. Now, four decades later, she'd like to share her passion for hiking with women who are just starting out, seasoned veterans, and everyone in between.

Hiking-for-her is a place to look for credible information on safe hiking, and to get your questions answered by someone who is eager to get as many women out on the trails as possible. Global climate changes, encroaching development, poor political decisions, and other pressures are impacting our access to the spectacular wild places on Earth. Get out and see it before it's gone!

This website can help women hikers in multiple ways. Explore the information on types of hiking and how to get ready for the trail. Read about the gear you need and how to find only the good stuff without getting ripped off. Interested in building skills? Read the sections on navigation and outdoor lore. I've gathered together credible resources any hiking women can use, no matter what the level of hiking expertise or interest may be.

Check out the book list, inspirational sections, and gift ideas, too.

And please contribute to building a community of hiking women: the newsletter (Happy Trails) and freebies (alternative first aid remedies, Ten Essentials in a Trail Buddy, and more) are there for you to enjoy and share with your hiking buddies. Sending in your hiking questions and suggestions will spread the wealth (of knowledge) far beyond your hiking circle.

Ready to take a hike? Lace up those boots and let's go!

Photo credits: all photos were taken by David Midkiff.