Women’s Mental and Physical Wellbeing Through Sport and Nature
Hikes4Happiness legacy
Women who broke barriers and opened doors for others.
Photo: www.wiredforadventure.com
- Alexandra David-Néel
Alexandra David-Néel was a French-Belgian explorer who broke barriers at a time when long-distance travel and mountaineering were seen as activities for men.
She travelled on foot through the Himalayas, India, China and Tibet, becoming the first Western woman to reach the forbidden city of Lhasa in 1924 while disguised as a Tibetan pilgrim. Her courage, determination and ability to endure some of the world’s most challenging mountain landscapes made her a true pioneer of outdoor exploration. Through her achievements, she showed that women could thrive in extreme environments and inspired generations to embrace hiking, adventure and exploration without limits.
- Pavla Jesih
Pavla Jesih (1901–1976) was one of Slovenia’s greatest mountaineering pioneers and a remarkable entrepreneur.
Pavla Jesih was a pioneering Slovenian alpinist and entrepreneur whose determination broke barriers both on the mountains and in business. Between 1926 and 1933, she completed 18 first ascents in the Julian Alps, establishing herself as one of the world’s leading female climbers of her time. She also took part in the legendary first ascent of the “Čopov steber” on Triglav’s north face, where her perseverance in the face of exhaustion became a symbol of resilience. After a climbing accident ended her mountaineering career, she went on to build one of the largest cinema businesses in Slovenia and Yugoslavia, proving that her pioneering spirit extended far beyond the mountains.
Source: Gore in ljudje
Photo: Wikipedia
Photo: © Carina Räihä
- Carina Räihä
Carina Räihä made history in 2010 when she became the first Finnish woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Her journey into mountaineering was not only about physical strength. Räihä has spoken openly about her fear of heights and how climbing became a way to face that fear, challenge herself and discover what she was capable of. Preparing for Everest required both physical endurance and mental strength, including the ability to stay focused, make decisions and keep going in difficult conditions.
Her story also stands out in a field where women have traditionally been underrepresented. At the time of her Everest expedition, Räihä estimated that only around 10% of mountain climbers in Finland were women.
Carina Räihä’s journey is a powerful example of how nature and physical activity can provide opportunities for personal growth, confidence and resilience. Her story reminds us that women belong in outdoor spaces – from local hiking trails to the world’s highest mountains.
Her experience strongly reflects the values of Hikes4Happiness: encouraging women to be active in nature, supporting physical and mental wellbeing, and creating space for women to challenge themselves and explore new possibilities.
- Ligija Bieliukienė (Girdvainytė)
Ligija Bieliukienė (Girdvainytė) is remembered in Lithuanian history as one of the most courageous and resilient travelers of the interwar period, challenging the social stereotypes of her time.
In 1930, alongside her husband, the prominent geographer Kazys Bieliukas, she set out to conquer an impressive 1,100-kilometer route around Lithuania on foot. At a time when long-distance hiking by women was extremely rare and surprising to the public, Ligija proved that a woman’s determination and physical endurance were second to none.
This monumental trek lasted for several months, during which the couple not only battled physical exhaustion, poor roads, and harsh weather conditions but also carried out an important educational mission. Traveling through Lithuanian towns and villages, they closely interacted with local residents, documenting their daily lives, customs, and changes in the country’s landscape. Ligija was not merely a participant in the hike but also its active chronicler—her observations and detailed travel accounts published in the periodic press became a valuable ethnographic and geographical document of interwar Lithuania.
She laid the foundation for a culture of active leisure and patriotism through the inspiring example. The couple’s journey received immense attention from the contemporary public and media, and Ligija bravery inspired many others to follow in her footsteps. Today, Ligija Bieliukienė is rightfully honored alongside legendary Lithuanian travelers like Matas Šalčius and Antanas Poška, and her legacy serves as a reminder of an extraordinary dedication to discovering and knowing one’s homeland—one step at a time.
Coordinator
