Hiking is fun recreational activity you can do alone or with friends. Virginia State Parks offers the Trail Quest Program that allows park visitors to log their visits as they work towards their Master Hiker Certificate. This program is a way for guests to earn cool pins as they reach milestones by visiting each state park.

A group called Girls Who Hike Virginia began as a community-led Facebook group in 2021 and it didn’t take long for the group to grow into a vibrant hub of outdoor adventure across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Master Hiker ceremony at Pocahontas State Park

This group recently completed Trail Quest and I was able to attend and photograph their Master Hiker Ceremony on April 27 at Pocahontas State Park. This is the first group to complete the program. After chatting more with these amazing women it was clear that this was one of many milestones this group has achieved.

How did this start?

Girls Who Hike Virginia was created as a community-led Facebook group with just a few thousand women+ seeking connection, camaraderie and support on the trail. They officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022 with a mission to educate, connect and empower women+, and to support them with the education and resources they need to thrive both on and off the trail.

GWHVA at False Cape State Park

Today, GWHVA is a volunteer-led movement of more than 31,000 hikers, building confidence, community and a love of the outdoors among women+ in Virginia and beyond.

Virginia State Parks offer a variety of trails that make it easy for the group to meet up at any location and hike a trail or two on their visit.

Completing Trail Quest

When the group found out about the Trail Quest Program, the group’s Ambassadors began to plan these hikes.

Master Hiker ceremony at Pocahontas State Park

The group officially started the program in Jan. 2024 and completed the last park on March 30, 2025. These hikes took place due to the planning and hard work of the Ambassadors, who are volunteers who plan and lead hikes and other events for our community members.

Unlike individuals who complete the program, the group has been planning hikes as a group and those that attend have been logging their visits separately. While each member doesn’t yet have their Master Hiker Certificate, the group was able to achieve this through planned hikes at each park through the group platform.

GWHVA at Caledon State Park

“Completing the Trail Quest program is a huge milestone for our community,” said McFadden. “We’re incredibly lucky to live in a state with so many beautiful and accessible outdoor spaces. Finishing this challenge together is a powerful reflection of our diverse, statewide community, and a reminder of how we continue to show up, support each other, and make the outdoors feel welcoming for everyone.”

GWHVA at Natural Tunnel State Park

There were too many choices when asked which parks were their favorite, as each hiker enjoyed different things at each location. There were two parks that many guests repeated, Natural Tunnel and Caledon State Park, due to the unique landscaping and trails at these locations.

GWHVA at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Some recurring parks for group hikes include Sky Meadows, Pocahontas, First Landing, Grayson Highlands and Smith Mountain Lake. Hikes at these locations are easy spots for the group to meet up and hike for the day. The group also loves that each location offers something different such as the rolling hills and open skies of Sky Meadows, the coastal beauty of First Landing, the forest and large freshwater lake at Smith Mountain and the rugged trails of Grayson Highlands. Together, they showcase just how diverse and breathtaking hiking in Virginia can be.

GWHVA at First Landing State Park

“We also had unique opportunities to explore parks in new ways, like a caving adventure in Natural Tunnel State Park and a historical tour of Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park,” explained McFadden. “These experiences highlighted one of Virginia State Parks’ most underrated resources: the park rangers! We learned so much from them throughout our journey.”

GWHVA at Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park

Additional Group Milestones

This group loves visiting Virginia State Parks and has plans to continue visits with the group. For the first time, GWHVA is participating in an Adopt A Trail Program at Twin Lakes State Park, with other parks in the works.

GWHVA at Twin Lakes State Parks

The group continues to grow and has reached impressive milestones over the years. In 2024, more than 1,500 participants attended 184 Ambassador-led hikes and virtual events. This number seems to grow each year. In 2025 so far, they have already hosted over 76 Ambassador-led events with over 750 participants.

“We are currently working on a virtual Spring Teamwork Challenge where we are teaming up to hike the distance of the Appalachian Trail in VA, 550 miles,” said McFadden. “We also have a personal virtual challenge where participants work on completing 52 hikes in 2025.”

GWHVA at Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park

The group’s Annual Summit is their biggest gathering, bringing together more than 100 women+ hikers for a weekend of outdoor skills workshops, adventure and renewing wellness experiences.

Upcoming hikes and workshops

While they continue hiking Virginia State Parks, the group has their sights set on visiting National Parks too. In July, a small group of GWHVA members will be backpacking at Glacier National Park for 4 days.

GWHVA at York River State Park

They are also working with partners across the state to bring Intro to Backpacking Workshops to the community. While these workshops aren’t new for the group, it is definitely something they are hosting more of now than ever as interest grows.

The group will be hosting its first Intro to Flyfishing event at Shenandoah River State Park later this year. They are also working with partners to bring Beginner Orienteering classes to the community.

GWHVA at Shenandoah River State Park

“The best part of hiking with Girls Who Hike Virginia is the community,” explained McFadden. “Whether you’re new to the trail or a seasoned hiker, there’s always someone ready to cheer you on, share a laugh, or help you feel welcome. It’s more than just hiking—it’s about connection, confidence, and knowing you’re not alone out there.”

How to get involved

You can become involved with the group in different ways. The easiest way to start is to become a Trailblazer. Trailblazers are the most loyal supporters as they are monthly donors to the group who get access to the events calendar and can sign up for official nonprofit events on the website.

Learn how to become a Trailblazer here: www.gwhva.org/donate  

For more information about the group, visit the website at www.gwhva.org.