On a Sunday morning twelve years ago, Tracy Lindsey, founder of Off the Beaten Track, set out to walk the 6 km Baldwins Bluff trail in Serpentine National Park. Back then she wasn’t a hiker, and she wasn’t looking to start a business. She was simply seeking solace from the pressures of everyday life.
“I wasn’t fit,” she recalls. “I was in a bad place. I thought to myself, ‘What the hell am I doing?’” But then I got to the top and looked at that amazing valley view. I had goosebumps all over. I felt amazing, and I was so proud of myself. That was it – I was hooked. I remember going home that day – I was full of energy, my mood was balanced, I could focus. I felt like I was a better mum. It changed everything for me.”
In Western Australia, women now make up nearly 60% of recreational hikers, according to recent AusPlay data. Yet, despite this growing participation and the many benefits that hiking can offer, some women feel hesitant to hike for a range of reasons.
Fears about confidence
“Women will say things like, ‘I can’t do that’ or ‘I’m not fit enough’,” Tracy says. “People are worried about navigation and getting lost as well.”
These doubts may be based on things women have heard – from partners, colleagues or family members – that they’ve internalised over time.
“It’s rarely about actual ability – it’s a confidence issue. A lot of people are scared they’ll be judged or won’t know what to do. It’s about self-belief. I always say to people, ‘You’ve got two feet and a heartbeat – you can hike. You’ve got to find the hike for you,’” says Tracy.
Fears about personal safety
Personal safety is another common concern – particularly for women who are considering hiking alone. But Tracy challenges the assumptions behind the fear.
“People ask me, ‘Aren’t you scared of being attacked or murdered?’” she says. “I’m not. The people out there on the trails are people who want to connect with themselves, or nature, or get away from the hustle and bustle. I actually feel so safe out there on my own.”
How hiking can build self-confidence
What Tracy has witnessed, and experienced herself, is that the biggest transformation hiking offers isn’t physical. It’s internal.
“It’s about that inner conversation,” she says. “You’re climbing a hill thinking, ‘Why did I do this? I’m not having fun. I can’t do this.’ And then all of a sudden, you get those wow moments and you think ‘Actually, this was the best day of my life.’ You’ve just achieved something you may not have thought you could achieve.”
Hiking is a great reminder that we can do hard things. “Hiking will provide you with so much empowerment. You feel like you can do anything,” says Tracy.
Putting yourself first
Between caring responsibilities, work demands, and the never-ending invisible to-do list, many women can feel guilty about doing something for themselves. “Especially for mums, there’s the sense that taking time for yourself is selfish. But the truth is, when we go down, everything else falls apart around us. We need to look after ourselves, our physical health, and our mental wellbeing.”
Hiking can be the perfect antidote to the noise of daily life. “There’s the connection to nature, the de-stressing, the calming effect, and the mental clarity,” says Tracy. “Hiking is the perfect way to clear our minds. And it empowers us, too.”
Tracy Lindsey is the founder of Off the Beaten Track. Learn about their hiking and accessible tourism experiences here.
If you’re new to hiking, read our hiking safety tips here.
If you’re interested in joining a hiking group, read about WA’s hiking clubs here.
Published July 2025.
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