THE CONFIDENT HIKER

4-8 Women • 10-25 km • Moderate to Challenging • Extended Day Hike • $79

The Confident Hiker is for women who are ready to go beyond familiar trails and take on bigger adventures and find a community of women who share their love of adventure.

Whether it's a longer distance, a steeper climb, or a trail you've always wanted to explore, this experience is designed to help you gain the experience that comes from challenging yourself on real Nova Scotia trails.

Led by an OCC Certified Field Leader with Advanced Wilderness First Aid training, each experience includes route planning, risk management, pacing support, navigation oversight, and small-group leadership so participants can focus on the experience, build confidence, create connections, and discover what's possible when they don't have to go it alone.

Small groups.

Longer trails.

Bigger adventures.

JOIN THE WAITLIST

RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

This is where preparation becomes experience.

Many women arrive wondering whether they can handle the distance, the terrain, or the climb ahead. By the end of the day, they often find themselves standing at a viewpoint they once thought was beyond their reach or completing a trail they had talked themselves out of attempting alone.

The goal isn't to move the fastest or tackle the hardest trail. It's to discover what happens when you stop waiting until you feel ready and start trusting the experience you've already built.

Whether your goal is to hike iconic Nova Scotia trails like Cape Split, explore more rugged routes such as Crowbar Lake, or simply feel comfortable heading out on your own without second-guessing yourself. The Confident Hiker is designed to help you get there.

"I completed trails I never would have attempted on my own. What felt intimidating at first became one of the most rewarding experiences I've had outdoors. I left with new friends, great memories, and a completely different perspective on what I was capable of."

ANONYMOUS

WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR HIKING JOURNEY?

WOMEN’S HIKING FOUNDATIONS

Start Here

THE CONFIDENT HIKER

Step up to the Challenge

BACKCOUNTRY WARRIOR

Answer the Call


Explore the Valkyrie Pathways →

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Approximately 10 to 25 km of hiking

  • Moderate elevation gain

  • Rocky, rooted, and uneven terrain

  • Longer periods between trailheads and facilities

  • A pace focused on challenge, support, and enjoyment rather than speed

  • Opportunities to build confidence on trails many women would hesitate to tackle alone

TRAIL TYPES

Examples may include trails similar to:

  • Cape Split

  • Crowbar Lake

  • Musquodoboit Trail

THE EXPERIENCE

Part 1: Prepare for the Adventure

Every hike begins with preparation.

Participants receive detailed pre-trip information designed to help them arrive prepared and ready for the day's adventure. This includes route information, distance, elevation, terrain expectations, meeting details, recommended gear, and guidance on how to prepare for the experience.

Before heading out, we review the route, terrain, elevation, weather conditions, and expectations for the day. Participants have an opportunity to ask questions, confirm gear, and understand what lies ahead.

The goal is simple: start the day feeling informed, prepared, and ready for the adventure ahead.

Part 2: Push Beyond Familiar

The Confident Hiker is designed to help women move beyond the trails that feel comfortable and familiar. Depending on the route, participants may encounter longer distances, steeper climbs, rocky terrain, uneven footing, and more physically demanding trail conditions.

Supported by an experienced guide and a small group of like-minded women, participants are encouraged to challenge themselves while moving at a pace focused on enjoyment, accomplishment, and safety.

Part 3: Rise to the Challenge

As the kilometres add up and the terrain becomes more demanding, many participants discover that challenges which once felt intimidating become achievable through preparation, persistence, and experience.

For some, it's reaching a viewpoint they once thought was beyond their ability. For others, it's completing a trail they had talked themselves out of attempting alone. Often, it's simply realizing that the obstacle was never as big as they imagined.

The goal isn't to move the fastest or tackle the hardest trail. It's to discover what happens when you stop waiting until you feel ready and start trusting the experience you've already built.

Part 4: Build Your Adventure Community

Many women join The Confident Hiker because they want more than just a supported experience. They want people to explore with, learn from, and share future adventures with.

Many participants arrive on their own and leave having met women who share their enthusiasm for hiking, challenge, and exploration. For some, those connections lead to future hikes, new adventures, and lasting friendships beyond the experience itself.

The trail may bring the group together, but the connections often continue long after the hike ends.

WHO IS THIS EXPERIENCE FOR

This experience is designed for women who:

  • Already enjoy hiking and want to tackle longer or more challenging trails

  • Are comfortable on beginner trails and ready for the next step

  • Have looked at trails like Cape Split and wondered if they could do them

  • Want experience on longer distances and more varied terrain

  • Are looking for women to share adventures with

  • Want to explore more of Nova Scotia's hiking opportunities

  • Enjoy challenge, personal growth, and time outdoors

If you've ever looked at a trail and thought, Maybe someday, this experience is designed to help turn that someday into today.

BY THE END OF THE DAY YOU WILL

  • Complete a more challenging Nova Scotia hike

  • Gain experience on longer distances and varied terrain

  • Better understand your capabilities on more demanding trails

  • Learn strategies for pacing, preparation, and trail planning

  • Feel more prepared to choose future hiking adventures

  • Meet women who share your enthusiasm for challenge and exploration

  • Take another step toward larger outdoor adventures

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • This is a guided half-day hiking experience. Participants should plan to spend approximately four to six hours on the trail, depending on the route, weather conditions, and group pace.

    Detailed trip information, meeting location, recommended gear, and any additional preparation details will be provided before your scheduled adventure.

  • Absolutely. Many women join because they want to feel more comfortable exploring independently. The Confident Hiker is designed to help you gain the experience, confidence, and trail awareness that can help you feel more comfortable tackling new adventures on your own.

  • The Confident Hiker is designed for women who already enjoy hiking and are comfortable on easier trails. You don't need to be an expert hiker, but you should be ready to challenge yourself on longer distances, varied terrain, and more adventurous routes.

  • Hikes will take place on a variety of trails throughout mainland Nova Scotia, all within approximately 1.5 hours of the Halifax Regional Municipality.

  • A detailed gear list will be provided before the experience. Participants should arrive prepared for Nova Scotia hiking conditions with appropriate footwear, clothing, water, snacks, and any personal items they may require.

  • Nova Scotia weather can be variable, and part of spending time outdoors is learning to be comfortable in changing conditions. Most experiences proceed in light rain and typical seasonal conditions. If severe weather creates an unacceptable safety risk, the experience may be modified, postponed, or cancelled.

  • Most participants register on their own. One of the most rewarding parts of the experience is meeting other women who share your love of the outdoors and desire for adventure.

  • Group sizes are intentionally kept small to allow for a supportive, guided experience. The minimum group size is 4 participants and the maximum group size is 8 participants.

  • This experience is specifically designed for women who want to build confidence outdoors. You'll be supported throughout the day in a welcoming, encouraging environment where the focus is on growth, not performance.

  • No. The Confident Hiker is a supported hiking experience. While you'll gain practical knowledge and confidence along the way, the focus is on learning through experience rather than classroom-style instruction.

  • Trails are selected to help participants build confidence on longer distances, varied terrain, and more challenging routes than they may normally choose on their own. Specific trail details will be provided before each experience.

  • Participants must be 19 years of age or older unless otherwise specified for a particular experience.

BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE

Before reserving your spot, please review the Experience Expectations section in the menu above. It outlines what to expect from the experience, participant responsibilities, group expectations, and our Terms & Conditions

If there are trails you've always wanted to tackle but haven't wanted to attempt alone, The Confident Hiker was designed for you.

Cost: $79

JOIN THE WAITLIST