Hello, I’m Elise.
Our Story
It started with a walk…
She Hikes was founded in Devon by Elle (@elle_hikes on Instagram) with a simple idea: to create the kind of walking community where women could genuinely feel comfortable turning up alone.
Because making friends as an adult isn’t always easy.
Neither is finding someone who wants to spend their Sunday hiking across Dartmoor, try something completely new, book that weekend away or say yes to the adventure you’ve been talking about for years.
And far too often, women end up waiting.
Waiting for a friend to be free.
Waiting for a partner to want to go.
Waiting until they feel confident enough to do it alone.
She Hikes was created to change that.
What started with local group walks has grown into a community bringing women together for weekly hikes, friendships, socials, events, new experiences and adventures.
The walking might be what introduces you to She Hikes.
The community is what makes you stay.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Hi, I’m Elle 👋
I’m the founder of She Hikes – and what started as an idea to help more women get outside has become something I’m incredibly proud to be building.
My background is in women’s health, fitness and wellbeing. I’ve worked as a Personal Trainer for more than 10 years, helping women become stronger, healthier and more confident through movement.
My training also includes areas such as Outdoor First Aid, navigation, group leadership and physical activity for mental health, all of which have helped shape the standards behind She Hikes.
Because although our walks should feel relaxed, friendly and fun, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes!
Routes need planning. Conditions need monitoring. Risks need assessing. And as She Hikes grows, I’m passionate about making sure that growth happens responsibly and without losing the community feel that made it special in the first place.
WHY SHE HIKES EXISTS
You shouldn’t need someone else to say yes first.
Some women join She Hikes because they love walking.
But plenty don’t.
They join because they’ve moved somewhere new.
Because their friends don’t enjoy hiking.
Because life has changed and they’d like to meet new people.
Because they’ve lost some confidence.
Because they’re tired of spending weekends wishing they had somebody to do things with.
Or simply because they want more adventure and more things in life to look forward to.
That’s why coming alone isn’t unusual at She Hikes.
It’s completely normal.
You don’t need to already know somebody. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker. And you don’t need to fit a particular mould.
Just turn up.
We’ll take it from there. ❤️
MORE THAN HIKING
The walks are only the beginning.
She Hikes has grown into much more than a calendar of walking routes.
Through She Hikes Club, our members can access regular organised walks alongside a growing programme of experiences designed to bring women together.
That can mean a Sunday hike followed by a pub roast. A private fitness or wellness session. Dinner with women you met on a walk. A creative workshop. A special collaboration. A Christmas party. A weekend away.
Or even getting on a plane and exploring somewhere completely new together.
Different experiences. Same community.
OUR COMMUNITY
Come alone. Leave with friends.
One of the biggest things we hear before someone’s first She Hikes event is:
“I’m nervous because I won’t know anyone.”
We get it!
Walking into any group for the first time can feel daunting – particularly when it looks from the outside as though everyone must already know each other.
But so many She Hikes friendships started with two women turning up separately to exactly the same walk.
That’s the environment we’re committed to protecting as we grow: welcoming, inclusive and genuinely comfortable for women arriving alone.
Because nobody should miss out on an experience simply because they haven’t got somebody to go with.
SAFETY & STANDARDS
Relaxed on the outside. Properly organised behind the scenes.
Community is at the heart of She Hikes, but so is doing things properly.
Our organised walks involve route planning, consideration of conditions and terrain, risk management and appropriate group leadership.
As our team grows, we’re also investing in the training and development of She Hikes Walk Leaders so that we can offer more walks while maintaining the standards our community expects.
We want you to enjoy the walk, meet people and have a brilliant day.We’ll worry about the work that happens behind the scenes.
WHERE WE’RE GOING
And we’re only getting started…
The vision for She Hikes has always been bigger than one walking group.
We’re creating more opportunities for women to walk together, building our team of Walk Leaders, developing She Hikes Club and creating experiences and adventures that take our community beyond our usual trails.
From Devon walks to weekends away and international adventures, the goal remains exactly the same:
To help women build confidence, make genuine connections and experience more of the world around them.
Wherever She Hikes goes next, we’ll always protect the thing that started it all:
“You can come on your own. You can be completely new. And you'll be welcomed. ❤️”Elle x
Founder, She Hikes
Ready to find your people?
Join a community of women walking, exploring and saying yes to more.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST