WalkingWomen is about making wonderful walks more accessible - whatever one's current budget and level of fitness! It has grown from small beginnings in 2000 to involve quite a few differently talented women who tell you about themselves on this page. However, it has also been shaped by the rich contributions of all the women who come on the holidays - funny, enthusiastic, generous, fascinating, friendly, and all so widely different! You make it special for us. Thank you!

Sue Donovan

(New owner of WalkingWomen!) I have enjoyed walking and the outdoors since I was a child. It has been the perfect antidote to the stresses of life, as well as an opportunity to watch nature and take photographs. I am at my happiest when I am away in my camper van with my partner, walking. I have worked as a research scientist, as an IT consultant, and I am also a business and life coach. When I discovered WalkingWomen in 2008, I was hooked! Then I discovered Diana wanted to sell WW, and some wonderful women have helped me buy it. I intend to keep the ethos of WalkingWomen the same and have more of the holidays you enjoy, as well as some new activities (watch this space).

WW Office Manager - Position Vacant

Please apply to the WW Office for more details if you are interested in this post.

WalkingWomen guides

Diana Clarke

I have been a joiner and a homeopath. I then set up WW in 2000 to share my passion for walking with other women. Now that Sue has bought WW, I'm delighted to still guide some of the holidays - for the sheer fun of walking with other women & for the chance to continue sharing my favourite walks & views with you!

Madeline Holloway

I am a freelance ecologist, and my current work involves the protection of water voles, badgers, bats and birds. I have always loved natural history - listening to the song of different birds, hunting for orchids, discovering what is on 'our doorstep' if we know what to look for, or walking in the fells in search of wildlife rarities. At other times I love music, especially jazz and playing the piano! And if there are badgers about - I'll enjoy finding them!

Sue Beardon

I am a seasoned hill walker and have walked extensively in Britain, as well as in Europe, the Himalayas, and the Andes. I lead holidays for HF Walking Holidays and I love to share my enthusiasm for wild and beautiful places with other women. When I'm not walking, I can sing a mean blues and I've a wild sense of humour!

Heather Pleasance

I grew up on the fringes of the Lake District and have loved walking there since childhood. I love to journey from valley to valley, but also enjoy ambling through old woodland, particularly pines, and just being by water. Changing weather and light excite me, and I am passionate about wild and lonely places. I enjoy company but also find solitude nurturing. I am interested in all aspects of healing and find great benefit from being in a group, particularly women.

Fran Loots

I've enjoyed walking and running in the hills for as long as I can remember some say, since seeing the Sound of Music... I've lived in Scotland most of my adult life, and love her mountains. After my children started school, I re-found my hill legs here. My body and soul were desperate for more activity. After my ML, I set up Breathing Space, using the outdoors as a training medium. Working with women, I love the friendship and support we give each other. http://www.lootslimited.co.uk

Yvonne Hosker

Hosker Even though for over 30 years I've walked in mountains in many parts of the world, I still feel most at home in the Lakes and Peaks. I've lived or worked in Cumbria at various times too. Now, as a freelance facilitator, I work a lot with countryside organisations. I tend to stop on walks to look at flowers, birds etc. Looking forward to more UK holidays in 2005 but also the big mountains, lakes and forests of the Alps in August.

Sarah Rycroft

I am a Manchester based Landscape Designer, and I take every opportunity to get up into the hills around Manchester with the local Manchester Walking Women group. I love the outdoors and will try not to bore everyone with my enthusiasm for the environment, tree identification tests & inaccurate wildlife and bird spotting! I wasn't born in Manchester but I find it hard to leave as the city has all the advantages of proximity to the Lakes, Wales & the Peak district, whilst having all the city life that is so hard to resist.

Heidi Schaefer

My namesake I think introduced me to a love of mountains. Heidi was my favourite book as a child! I didn't really start walking in them though until my early 20's and I have never looked back since. I love all hills and mountains no matter where they are but I particularly love the Alps with their meadows, cow bells, mountain huts and rocky tops, but I promise I won't make you sing that song about the hills being alive!

Gillian Lane

My love of hill walking started as a way to relieve the stress of a busy job as a midwife and has grown immensely over the last ten years. I have walked all over Ireland & in many other parts of the world, but I am most excited that I finally have the opportunity to share Kerry's beautiful mountains with other like minded women (& hopefully Irish Toffee Apple Cake too!).

Sue Penn

I have worked variously as an ecologist and a teacher. I've always enjoyed walking and scrambling in mountains and wild areas, from Chile to the Lake District and Scotland, so I took it further and got my Mountain Leadership qualification. Walking with women allows women to share good company and to gain confidence in their own skills.

Marian Sutton

I have always loved to travel and been fascinated by nature. After some years working as a photographer I returned to university to study for a degree in Earth Sciences, and an MSc. in Biodiversity and Conservation. Living in Yorkshire gives me easy access to the Lake District, Scotland and North Wales, each with their own charms and hidden depths. My travels in the Spanish-speaking world began in 1992 when I first visited the Canary Islands, thus began an obsession with the archipelago, and the lands of the Americas beyond.

Lorraine Roberts

I have spent the past 20 years nuturing my dual personality by living in the city and escaping to the mountains of North Wales, Lake District and Scotland whenever possible. As a founder member of a London-based walking group, I have led groups of women on walks in the South East and organised weekend trips further afield. In the past few years I have discovered the delights of European mountains including the Alps, Pyranees and in Greece.

Barbara Hamilton

As a child I was very resistant to the 'route marches' I was forced to take with my family but I now count myself very lucky to have finally discovered the joys of walking - the best reward for mind, body and soul.    I run my own company and organise walks for women in my spare time - a great balance to the pressures of 'business'.   I will walk anywhere from the streets of London to the wilds of Scotland!

Raffa Carzaniga

I was born in Milan, and am Italian, though I have now lived in England for 8 years. I love skiing - it is one of my passions, and I first learnt to ski in Italy at the age of 5. I also have a passion for bugs and their secret life (I am a biologist most of the time!), photography, and the arts. In the past I guided for WWF in Italy. I love caring about people and sharing adventures, and look forward to sharing another fun WW skiing holiday with you!

Ros Townsend

My love of walking developed slowly from simple walks into adventurous scrambles and then into rock climbing. Whatever the level, the feeling of freedom, independence, and of being at one with nature is very special. It refreshes the soul - you remember to laugh again and enjoy life. I'm looking forward to sharing some of my favourite places in the Cape with you - not least the Garden Route with its magnificent mountains and river gorges, cliffs and golden beaches...!

Marcelle Cassar

Initially walking was an antidote to the pressures of work but soon developed into a passion in its own right. Nothing equals the feeling of freedom & oneness with nature as when out on a mountain in all weathers. Sharing that experience with other women is both a pleasure & privilege. Join me & feel it for yourself.

Sally Haycock

Bored with being a scientific genius, I decided to become a woman of leisure instead which has given me ample opportunity to indulge my love for exploring the wilder areas of the UK on foot and occasionally on horseback. I am at present training to become a Peak District National Park Ranger and look forward to showing you round my stomping ground in 2006.

Caroline Gillies

I started college as an art student and progressed into photojournalism. I used to work for the English Tourist Board and think our incredibly varied countryside and architecture is difficult to beat. The Thames Valley, the Chilterns and the Cotswolds are right on my doorstep - picture book England personified!

Linda Prince

Linda has much experience of trekking in Nepal, due partly from giving medical support to climbing expeditions in Nepal as a nurse and a climber herself. More to the point on this trek, she has plenty of experience with treating blisters or helping to prevent them in the first place! She also has a wonderful dry sense of humour.

Sara Bull

Immersed in nature in the hills is where I feel most at home. As a freelance outdoor instructor/ expedition leader I have run many personal development courses and trekked in the UK, New Zealand, Vietnam, Austria, Switzerland and Norway. I also travel independently, am always planning my next challenge, and passionately believe that the outdoors is there for everyone.

Anita Grey

I have been working in the Great Outdoors, both in my beloved home of Snowdonia, and worldwide, for 25 years. I have run team building, confidence building and management training, for all levels and ages, including women's groups. I also teach The Alexander Technique, and believe that learning takes place when we are at ease and having fun! I also run a funky Bed and Breakfast in Llanberis - www.surfsister.co.uk (IML - International Mountain Leader)

Pam Satterthwaite

I grew up in the Lake District and Northumberland and have always enjoyed the countryside. I love travelling and walking, both of which are a great antidote to my busy working life in social work. As a member of a walking group based in the northeast, I lead walks throughout the region. I look forward to sharing this beautiful and relatively undiscovered area with lots of walking women.

Jo Jeays

My initial move to Shropshire was work related. At the time, I only knew the county from driving to Wales. Then 5 years ago I moved into the Shropshire hills, having developed a love for the walking and the rich industrial heritage of the area. My regular dog walk now gives me a "wow" moment as I look across the Cheshire plain and over the Welsh borders. It feels very privileged and I look forward to sharing it with you.

Barbara Bailey

I grew up in London but am a country girl at heart. I try to escape to the hills or the low level walks of my adopted Suffolk countryside as much as possible, especially after a stressful week working in the NHS. Come rain or come shine, it doesn't matter, there is nothing like it on earth especially when shared with new friends!

Brenda Whisker

Walking - whether it be mountains, valleys, moorland or woods -I love it all and have been doing it for many years. Walking for me is not just about physical exercise; it's about good company, conversations, fun, time to observe, breathe deep and relax. Living in the South Pennines, I love exploring its open moors, deep cut valleys, geological history and rich industrial heritage too.

Clare Kelly

In 1994 a friend invited me to join her on the Annapurna Sanctuary trek in Nepal. This was the first time I had done any serious walking. 5 years later I was back in Annapurna but this time as a guide. I worked for 5 years with Exodus leading walking holidays in Italy, Spain, Austria, Morocco and Nepal. I now live near the Peak District and enjoy sharing my love of walking with others.

Sheila Gwyn

I have lived in Cornwall for most of my life, and love to walk the coastal footpaths. For 10 years I ran my own business - 'Wild Rose Holidays for Women' - leading groups in SW England, Gozo and Mallorca. More recently I have been offering B&B and self-catering holiday accommodation from my home. I now look forward to introducing more groups of women to the delights of Cornwall.

Helen Venus

Time spent in the outdoors complements my working life in marketing. Both offer me similar rewards - mental stimulation, constant challenges and most importantly, social interaction - but the views aren't so great in marketing! Walking Women offers a chance for women from all walks of life to face their own challenges within a uniquely nurturing and fun environment and I love being part of that!

Jane Edwards

I love to be in the outdoors and the natural environment, to travel and to explore. Walking, climbing, canoeing, whatever the activity it provides freedom and excitement. I always return to my native North where I feel most at home. Currently I am an Outdoor Ed. teacher in Snowdonia schools and a freelance Instructor. Sharing an adventure with others at home or overseas is a joy and privilege, and I will run about the hills as long as my knees will let me.

Gaynor Rees

Strolling through the countryside, the company is fabulous, the women are amazing, the birds are singing, the sun is shining ... ok it might rain but the waterproofs are holding and anyway the Galaxy tastes better with every step. I love walking in the hills as an antidote to my other life as a trainer. Apparently there is more to life than hillwalking but I just can't see it right now. Come on, what are you waiting for!

Anne Ford

A long love affair with the outdoors started in my native Yorkshire. I love escaping the hustle and bustle to share wild places with kindred spirits. As a BASI cross country ski instructor it gives me great satisfaction to take someone from their first, tentative moments on skis to being an accomplished skier. Moving through a wild snowy landscape powered by you own efforts is a wonderful feeling and can be achieved by anyone.

Chrissie Amey

I have lived in the Quantock Hills for nearly 30 years and have led walks here for the last 4 years. I have come to love the area for its unspoilt beauty and wonderful walking opportunities away from the crowds. I also work in the local FE college with learners who are recovering from mental health problems. Before, I made soft furnishings with a background in dressmaking and fashion! I have also managed a small herd of milking goats in my past. I now live in a new eco house and enjoy growing my own vegetables.

Catherine Murphy

I've lived in rural areas for most of my life. For the last 30 years I have worked and explored the countryside of South Shropshire, freelancing in Community Development and Countryside Management and more recently leading groups through the landscapes here. I welcome the opportunity to share this glorious area with you.

Beryl Tudhope

As a child growing up in South Wales, I'd groan when my mother suggested a family walk - the bribe was a chocolate bar! Later, I began walking as a pastime, and to relieve the pressures of working in East London. After taking early retirement I began exploring the Welsh mountains, Lake District and Scottish mountains in earnest, and became ML qualified. So many doors have opened as a result - hill walking and winter mountaineering, scrambling camping and backpacking. I really love the challenge of navigating, learning about flora & fauna, and achieving a 'quality day'. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share my love of the outdoors at all levels.

Alison Goodwin

I have had a love of the countryside for years and I was lucky to have grown up there. I've since moved to the city, but my love for the outdoors is still very strong. It's a place I turn to for enjoyment, connection, and also solace. I love of yoga and meditation in equal measure and have been praticing them 9-10 years. It never ceases to amaze me how all these practices bring us back to our centre and the stillness within. Feel free to read more about me on my website: www.creatingpositive moodnaturally.co.uk.

Rosie Jeffries

Rosie was an honorary walkingwoman since WalkingWomen first started. She is the artist who painted many the wonderful humerous pictures on this website which give it so much of its flavour. She captured the spirit of WalkingWomen and in the process helped to shape it. Very very sadly Rosie died of cancer on November 15th 2001. She is still terribly missed. Her last pictures for WalkingWomen were painted shortly before she died. She loved doing them as she loved all she did in her rich life. The Malvern Hills and the Gower Peninsular were her favourite places, but here she is communing with a horse near Rydal Water - where she shows what a talented horse-whisperer she also was!

Sarah Burt

Sarah is the artist who has painted all the newer pictures that have appeared on the site since Rosie died. She is also a walking woman and has come on many holidays. Many thanks to Sarah for her wonderful humourous paintings which have managed to maintain the style of the original site.