Cover Solo female hikers share practical tips and honest stories from their journeys of independent adventure. (Photo: Jcomp / Freepik)
Solo female hikers share practical tips and honest stories from their journeys of independent adventure. (Photo: Jcomp / Freepik)
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Explore the inspiring journeys of solo female hikers redefining adventure and independence
Solo female hikers are rewriting the narrative of adventure, carving paths that blend independence with exploration. For these women, trekking alone is not mere escapism but a rigorous engagement with nature’s challenges and rewards. Their stories offer not only inspiration but also the practical realities of navigating wilderness solo, often underrepresented in mainstream outdoor discourse. These solo female hikers bring distinct perspectives and expertise to their journeys, reflecting a spectrum of motivations, backgrounds and trail philosophies.
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1. Isabel Cautivo (@itsxisaabel)
Isabel Cautivo’s journey into solo backpacking is deeply personal and relatable, marked by humble beginnings in the San Francisco Bay Area, where outdoor activities were not initially part of her upbringing. Isabel’s signature approach is grounded in accessibility, showing that solo backpacking is achievable without expensive gear or exotic locations, often advocating starting in familiar, local parks.
She shares candid, educational content on TikTok and Instagram, not shying away from discussing the challenges of solo hiking as a young woman of Filipino descent. Isabel actively promotes inclusivity in the outdoors, highlighting how people from immigrant backgrounds and underrepresented groups can find belonging and empowerment in nature.
A unique aspect of her journey is that she has reintroduced her family, including taking her dad on hikes, bridging cultural divides through shared outdoor experiences. Her content mixes practical advice on gear, safety and trail navigation with immersive videos that invite viewers on her adventures.
2. Eva zu Beck (@evazubeck)
Eva zu Beck stands apart for her audacity to explore seldom-travelled territories, particularly in politically complex zones. She is all about immersive cultural integration, spending extended stretches living with locals and offering nuanced narratives beyond typical tourist experiences.
Recently, Eva has become host and director of Superskilled, a National Geographic adventure series launched in 2024. The show investigates extraordinary human potential through stories from diverse communities across three continents, blending her solo travel expertise with compelling documentary storytelling. Her thorough documentation emphasises resilience and curiosity, themes that resonate deeply with adventurous solo female hikers seeking substantive journeys beyond surface-level exploration.
3. Kathleen Neves (@_thehungryhiker)
Above Kathleen Neves, also known as The Hungry Hiker, is a solo backpacker and coach inspiring women to embrace the trail with confidence and practical wisdom. (Photo: @_thehungryhiker / Instagram)
Kathleen Neves, also known as The Hungry Hiker, is a solo backpacker and coach inspiring women to embrace the trail with confidence and practical wisdom. (Photo: @_thehungryhiker / Instagram)
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Kathleen Neves is a backpacking coach for women who became obsessed with hiking after completing a challenging 25-mile rim-to-rim hike across the Grand Canyon in 2015. This pivotal experience inspired her to set her sights on solo thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which she accomplished over five months in 2018. Transitioning from a corporate career and yoga teaching, Kathleen blends physical endurance with mental resilience developed through years of outdoor practice.
As The Hungry Hiker, she shares pragmatic trail wisdom, food tips and motivational content focused on solo female hikers and their unique challenges. Kathleen’s coaching combines practical preparation with spiritual insights into self-discovery via solitude. Her story highlights how solo trekking can foster personal healing and community leadership in outdoor education.
4. Kate Woodley (@kateacrossborders)
Kate Woodley is a full-time traveller, travel writer and content creator with over four years of experience exploring more than 50 countries. She is the founder of Stay Wild Travel, a travel company that organises bucket list group trips for women. Before committing to full-time travel, she was a management consultant at PwC in London, specialising in collaborative design workshops and problem-solving.
Her content reflects her passion for wanderlust, focusing on strategic planning, self-reliance and embracing off-the-beaten-path destinations. She also runs group tours to destinations like Pakistan, addressing the social and cultural dynamics of solo travel for professional women.
5. Ilaria Reed (@ilariareed)
Ilaria Reed’s brand centres around digital content creation based in Colorado’s rugged landscapes, where she has built a strong following of over 18,000 on Instagram. She merges recreational hiking with a role as a group hike leader, often leading outings that prioritise safety and camaraderie among solo female hikers. She offers solo hiking tips, practical advice and gear recommendations, which she shares through engaging and accessible social media content.
Her approach is grounded in balancing independence with community, dispelling the myth that solo hiking means being solitary. She encourages women to find empowerment through nature while fostering a supportive network around solo adventures.
Solo female hikers today are more than adventurers; they are trailblazers in a cultural movement redefining independence and exploration. Their experiences reveal the complexities of solitude, confronting safety concerns while fostering profound personal growth. With the rise of supportive communities and resources tailored to solo female hikers, a growing number feel empowered to embrace wilderness on their own terms. The stories of Cautivo, zu Beck, Neves, Woodley and Reed demonstrate the diverse paths solo female hikers carve—each journey unique but united by strength and intent.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
