This blustery month, let’s focus on two groups of hiking women who don’t get a lot of attention: menopausal hikers and plus size hikers.

I’ve got tips and resources galore for these underappreciated hikers.

Plus other hiking news too good to keep to myself!

INSPIRING HIKING WOMEN

She’s Australian, so refers to hiking as “walking”. Same-same.

She also shares some great recommendations for nature writing to inspire your future adventures!

Changes in hiking approach

I’ve got a few things to say about “the Pause” as well, including some benefits (it's true!!) of hiking through menopause.

These are hard won tips that you won't find elsewhere in the blogosphere, mostly because older women are invisible or shamed into silence when they get past a certain age.

I declined that invitation ;)

Menopausal hiking tips

Menopausal nutrition tips for hikers

If you’re looking for a new approach to hiking as you gain more birthday candles, maybe this is it: hike during the day, stay at a lodge at night.

The Europeans and Canadians do it all the time!

I've done it myself multiple times in Canada, so hit reply with any questions you might have for me.

Here’s a company that appears to be doing things right for female hikers (I have no affiliation with them and have never booked a trip through them).

They run a Superior Hiking Trail Lodge-Based Hike & Explore for Women 55+ trip that might be just what you need this year.

55+ Women's Lodge Based Trips

HIKING RESOURCES FOR PLUS SIZE HIKERS

But that's what is being used, so I will go with it here.

It's important to note that some women prefer the term “fat” over “plus size.”

Also important to note on this topic: The average American weighs 181 pounds.

But the average outdoor clothing store carries sizes only to XL for women.

A major disconnect, no?

So let’s do what women always do and band together to create supportive communities!

Here’s an article that shares plus size groups designed to encourage/coax you to get outdoors and enjoy hiking (and skiing, climbing, fishing, anything that piques your interest).

They include Climb Big, Fat Girls Hiking (“Trails, not scales”), Plus Size Backpacking, Trail Dames (“… a hiking club for women of a curvy nature”), Unlikely Hikers, and WHOA Plus.

Bonus: Links to apparel companies that offer sizing that is inclusive of all female hikers.

Outdoor communities that are inclusive

Surprise! I just happen to have another resource to add to this discussion: Hiking For Her recommendations for the best plus size hiking clothing available from Amazon and REI.

These are the brands I use myself, and know will work hard for you on a hike.

Plus size womens outdoor clothing

If you go shopping, good news: REI Member Days are rolling right now, through March 23, 2026.

Use your 20% coupons, get up to 50% off in the Outlet, and check their Flash Deals daily for even more savings.

REI Member Days 2026

2026 BACKPACKING IDEAS

I have a few suggestions for you to get the ideas flowing. These trails caught my eye when I was searching for 3 - 5 day backpacking ideas for myself.

First up: The 40 mile long Timberline Trail in Oregon may be just the trail for you if you crave mountain vibes!

Mount Hood awaits you

Another idea: The 50-mile long Batona (“Back TO Nature) Trail, winding its way through New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve, a truly unique area of the U.S.

Here’s an overview including a map so you can get an idea of what this trail offers:

Batona Trail

Not sure how to make a smooth transition from day hiking to backpacking? Here is one woman’s experience, in her own words:

“After years of researching routes, watching other hikers dial in their systems, overthinking gear lists and romanticizing lean-tos in golden hour light, I finally did the thing that had been circling in my head.

I went backpacking.

Alone.”

Intrigued? Here’s the article:

A transition into backpacker

I know you're truly shocked to hear that I have a plethora of backpacking tips you can use as you plan your trips.

I'll wait for you to recover a bit...

... deep breath...

OK, now here are the tips:

Essential Guide: Best Backpacking Tips

RISK TAKING AS A HIKER

The weight of "what ifs" can press down and overwhelm our sense of adventure.

That's why I'm always watching for research that focuses on who takes risks, and why, and exactly what a risk might be.

And I just found a current research article with an intriguing title: Do We Perceive Risk Differently?

It’s a cross-national comparison of how hikers perceive hiking trail risk, using online reviews from AllTrails in Malaysia and New Zealand as the data source.

I like that it's outside the U.S., because it brings a fresh perspective for us as hikers.

Take a look:

Outdoor Risk Taking

OUTDOOR TRENDS

A 2024 report from Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) summarized data about Americans participating in outdoor recreation (age, gender, location, and more).

Day hiking was the most popular activity in the report. Duh!

And here's the good news for women: more and more of us are becoming outdoor adventurers.

Quoting the article: “For the first time ever, more than half of American women are participating in outdoor recreation. The female participation rate reached 51.9% in 2023, up from 50% in 2022.”

This brings into sharp focus the importance of preserving and caring for public lands.

But that’s a topic for another day.

You can find lots more information on outdoor trends at OIA:

Outdoor Industry Association

That's it for March hiking news...

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to read more about and I'll do my best.

May March hiking make memories that no one and nothing can take away from you, dear hiker.

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

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