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As a non-hiker, have you ever had this strange urge to become the next Heather “Anish” Anderson or Andrew Skurka? So you rummage through Google for beginner-friendly hikes and trails, form a list, get kitted up and embark on your new hiking journey.

Also read: 4 hikes with epic views that aren’t Lions Head

Then all of a sudden you find yourself not even halfway up the mountain, huffing and puffing, with no more water left. This is when you come to the realisation that what Google says, is not always what a first-time hiker would deem ‘beginner-friendly’ or that your friend’s fitness levels don’t quite match up to what they’ve claimed.

Cue Amanda and her trusty @hikingforchubbygirls Instagram page.

Whether you’re an avid hiker in search of new trails, new to the Mother City in search of new friends, or simply just starting your hiking journey and in search of honest reviews and an inclusive hiking group with people that look a little bit like you,

In her bio, Amanda explains the essence behind her page, saying: “A page dedicated to honest reviews of walking trails and hikes around Cape Town – that take into account short legs, chubby bodies and the safety of women on these trails”.

Soon after, Hiking for Chubby Girls (HFCG) became an official movement (yes, that was a pun) when Amanda held her first inclusive hike in 2022. It was the easier route of the beautiful Cecilia Waterfall Hike, which went through Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Since then, HFCG’s inclusive hiking groups have traversed a number of trails across the Cape, welcoming hikers and trailers of any form, shape, or fitness level “as long as you’re not trying to outrun anyone”.

Tomorrow marks the return of HFCG for 2023 and the first trail is an easy easy hike through Newlands Forest, perfect for those trying to get back into the hiking scene or just starting out.

Picture: @hikingforchubbygirls / Instagram

Details

  • Date: Saturday, 11 March 2023
  • Location: Newlands Forest – meet up in the parking lot
  • Time: 9am

Also read:

5 easy hiking trails for new hikers tackling the Cape Town mountains

Picture: @wendyannehogarth / Instagram

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