It’s no secret that nature can work wonders for our sanity. And in 2021, we will be more ready than ever to get out of the house and into the wild. Even newcomers to hiking should opt for short breaks close to nature – from day hikes to glamping weekends to even longer backpacking tours in the hinterland. But for LGBTQIA + people, hiking is not always an easy and safe excursion. Indeed, in 29 states, there are still no laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This can turn a fun escape into a terrifying endeavor. But with the inside knowledge of how to connect with queer hiking groups (plus our tips for the destinations), your trip can be an absolute win.
The venture out project
The venture out project (TVOP) is a non-profit organization that offers wilderness travel for LGBTQIA + people. Adventures include day hikes, an LGBTQ + family campout, forest swimming retreats, queer hikes and canoe trips, youth- and women-centered camping trips, POC hikes and more. They are very popular with 25-35 year olds and recently launched a nationwide volunteer program Instagram and join in the fun when they visit your area.
QPOC hikers
QPOC hikers was founded by Jasmine Maisonet, a queer, non-binary black woman who graduated from 52 hiking challenge. Born and raised in New York City, they created an inviting outdoor community for queer colored people in the Pacific Northwest, where they now live. At the moment there is usually a group hike every month and they have an annual overnight backpacking trip to Barclay Lake in Washington. Sign up for travel on their Facebook site and keep an eye on them Instagram to find out about upcoming trips.
Adventure out there
Non-profit educational institution Adventure out there was founded in Seattle by Elyse Rylander, who has a passion for LGBTQIA + youth travel and is committed to empowering queer youth by connecting with nature. Outdoor adventures include kayaking, rock climbing, and multi-day hikes, and participants travel from across the country to partake in their programs (in Oregon and Washington) so you’re sure to make new friends along the way.
Unlikely hikers
Founded by Jenny Bruso, a queer hiker from Oregon, Unlikely hikers aims to make their walks as inclusive as possible: gay, transgender, disabled, non-binary, colored, indigenous – everyone is welcome. There are now chapters of Unlikely Wanderers in the United States. The best way to find out about upcoming hikes in your area is to visit their website and sign up for their mailing list. Don’t miss out either Bruso’s podcastwhere she talks to fellow hikers about life on the trails. It is the perfect listening pleasure when you are traveling alone but want to have fun in company.
To meet
Many cities in the US have queer walking groups, however Meetup.com lists other gay and lesbian walking groups than any other platform. When you’re in a big city, you’ll have the most options with lots of new friends. In New York City, try to mess with LGBTQIA walkers, Backpacking Gay Men of NYC, and the Hiking group for gay men over 40. In Los Angeles, there is Gay and lesbian Sierrans (Part of the Sierra Club). In Chicago you want that Chicagoland Active Lesbian Meeting. Look for that in Austin Austin Queer Adventurers. After all, in Washington, DC, Queer Wanderer and another chapter in the San Francisco Bay Area Rainbow Sierra.
Facebook groups
Another point of contact for queer hiking groups in your area is Facebook. The trick to finding what you want is to select the “Groups” option when looking for queer wandering. Local groups show up first and they also publish group walks.
The Wilderness Society x Pride Outside card
To help queer nature lovers connect with each other, the Wilderness Society and Pride Outside have teamed up to create an interactive map that shows you dozens of LGBTQIA + outdoor groups in a handy place. Even if you host an LGBTQIA + outdoor group and don’t see them listed on the map, you can add them and literally put your group “on the map”.
NOW WHEREVER YOU GO …
The Olympic Peninsula
A fantastic hiking destination in the Pacific Northwest, the Olympic Peninsula has more than 600 miles of epic hiking trails in Washington Olympic National Park which include different ecosystems: rainforests, alpine tundra, wildflower meadows, snow-capped mountains and rugged coastlines. There are also notable wildlife in the park to keep you going along the trails, such as black-tailed deer, mountain goats, black bears, and pumas.
If you don’t know where to start, check out some of the most popular hikes, including any of the hikes in the Hoh Rainforest; the Hurricane Ridge Trail and Sunrise Ridge via the Sunrise Point Trail (both offer beautiful views over Hurricane Ridge and can be done in the same day); Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall; the Ozette Triangle (also known as the Cape Alava Loop) from Lake Ozette to the coast; and for more experienced hikers, the 10.5 mile Spruce Railroad Trail around Lake Crescent.
The 134-mile Olympic Discovery Trail, currently under construction between Port Townsend and La Push on the Pacific Coast, will provide experienced hikers with an incredible backcountry backpacking experience. There are currently around 80 miles of the trail done, but if that’s too long for you, you can also tackle shorter trails parts of it for a day hike.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If you are looking for a hiker’s paradise on the east coast, the Great Smoky Mountains, shared by Tennessee and North Carolina, could be your next perfect adventure. With 150 trails inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is one of the very few national parks that does not require entry. The lush forests offer 800 miles of hiking trails with breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls, and diverse flora. The best places to settle down are the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge (home of Dollywood, Dolly Partons theme park) or Sevierville – all stunning places you won’t hate to call home (temporarily).
If you are one of the people who has always dreamed of being that The Appalachian Path, the 2,200 mile Georgia to Maine trail, this is your big chance. With 71 miles of the AP running through the Smoky Mountains, it takes about seven days to complete the entire section of the hike – a commitment that we think is definitely worth it.
Sedona
The small artist town of Sedona in northern Arizona is one of the most scenic travel destinations in the southwest and a colorful starting point for your hiking vacation. Considered a sacred place by the Native Americans, Sedona is made up of extraordinary red rock formations, buttes, and canyons. But in addition to its picturesque landscape, Sedona is also known for its vortices of energy (also known as healing and spiritual energy). It attracts those who are looking for a place to connect with nature and themselves.
Sedona has over 100 hiking trails, some of which feature ancient Native American cave paintings such as the Palatki Ruins. The Wanderhaus (on Highway 179 south of the roundabout with the Open Gate Sculpture) is a must for any last minute hiking gear and the Energy Cafe, where you can stock up on good food or take off your boots and hang out with fellow hikers on the patio. Hikes to add to your list include Cathedral Rock Trail (the most famous trail in Sedona), Devil’s Bridge Trail, Airport Mesa Loop, Bell Rock Pathway, and Boynton Canyon.
While there, be sure to explore the Grand Canyon, which is just a short drive from Sedona. You can get to the South Rim in just over two hours and the East Rim in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Ideally you want to stay overnight to be one of the The Grand Canyon’s many trails.
Montana
Montana may be best known to foodies for moose and bison burgers, but hikers know it for its mesmerizing effects Glacier National Park. With 700 breathtaking lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, and 734 miles of hiking trails, there are tons of world-class hikes to choose from: Highline Trail (ranked as one of the best hikes in the US), Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, Cracker Lake Trail, and Lake Josephine Trail. But the state has more to offer than just glacier. Montana offers changing landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the vast expanses of the Great Plains, and is a true hiking paradise. You can find hiking trails across the state, including day hikes as well as multi-day backpacking tours in the vast expanses Bob Marshall Wilderness, a designated wilderness area in western Montana that spans both sides of the continental divide.
Montana is also home to the longest section of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT), considered the most challenging of the three long-distance hikes in the United States (the other two are the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Ocean). Kammweg). If you don’t have the time (eight to 10 weeks) or the will to hike the entire 820 miles of the CDT in Montana, part of it can still be tackled. For example, the 110 miles that run in Glacier National Park – or part of it – will be an accomplishment to make you proud.
Colorado
With over 39,000 miles of hiking trails, Colorado is the crowning destination for hiking in the United States. In addition to the Rocky Mountains, the Centennial State will amaze you with orange-red rock formations, canyons, hot springs, waterfalls, alpine lakes and flat tundra. Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with over 100 peaks over 11,000 feet high and 350 miles of hiking trails, is one of the most popular parks in the country and must not be overlooked. The quaint hilltop town of Estes Park is just 90 minutes from Denver and is surrounded by rugged peaks and scenic trails. It’s a great base for your longer adventures.
If you prefer shorter day hikes, settle into the mountain towns of Aspen or Breckenridge. There are many hiking trails nearby. Boulder, the super cool town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, has many reasons to be loved – and is another popular starting point for day hikes with countless hiking trails, some of which even start right in town.
If you want to challenge yourself to a mega hike check out the Colorado Trail, a 485 mile long distance hiking trail from Denver to Durango that takes anywhere from four to six weeks. If that’s too long, you can hike shorter sections of the trail and still enjoy all of the grandeur. Another popular challenge for experienced hikers is climbing one of the 58 “Fourteeners” – mountains over 14,000 feet high – of which Colorado has more than any other state.
Orbitz believes that everyone should be able to travel freely, no matter who you are, who you love or where you are going. Discover LGBTQIA-friendly hotels, plan queer-friendly trips and be inspired to vacation. You will feel welcome when you book with Orbitz. Travel As You Are ™ .Dani Heinrich is the vagabond author and photographer behind it GlobetrotterGirls.com. She has toured over 70 countries on four continents and has no plans to stop anytime soon. Follow her up Instagram and Twitter.
