“I felt bottled up beforehand – magically afterwards I had recovered a bit of self.”
In mid-September, ten women arrived at YHA Edale in the heart of the Peak District for the first ever Life Beyond the Crossroads – a weekend of walking, reflection and reconnection designed for women navigating life changes. Supported by the YHA Festival of Walking, the residential offered participants a chance to pause, breathe, and consider the paths ahead, guided by Adventure Queens’ trained facilitators, life coach Sarah and wilderness therapeutic practitioner Suze.
A weekend of walking, reflection and support
Over two days, participants explored the rolling hills and valleys around Edale, using the natural environment as a mirror for change. Group walks, coaching conversations, and guided reflection activities helped them unpack personal challenges and rediscover their own direction.
Throughout the weekend, participants shared reflections like these:
“Focusing on my feet and body and moving took me out of myself, out of the angst I was going through.”
The weekend struck a thoughtful balance between outdoor activity and inner exploration. Vision board creation, a letting-go ceremony by the water, and shared evening discussions offered powerful moments of insight and connection.
Shared experiences and new beginnings
Many participants arrived at emotional crossroads – navigating bereavement, redundancy, divorce, or burnout. Yet, what unfolded was a collective journey towards clarity and calm.
“It takes you out of the chaos you’re in into a natural space. We were suspended from reality for that day.”
By Sunday afternoon, the change was tangible. According to post-weekend surveys, 100% of participants reported feeling more confident in their ability to make life decisions, and 9 out of 10 said they left with a renewed sense of calm and direction. Participants also highlighted a significant boost in connection and wellbeing, with the majority saying they felt more motivated to spend time outdoors and take small, positive steps forward.
“It opened up the ability to take a step back and take out things one by one.”
“Now I have things to target. “What I do today is how I live tomorrow. I can’t just think ‘I want X’ – I actually have to do something about it.”
The power of community
Although many participants arrived as strangers, strong bonds quickly formed. Meals were shared and stories unfolded. Several women have since stayed in touch, continuing to support one another through life transitions.
“You’re really well looked after, practically and emotionally. Receiving that care allows you to relax more and reflect on how you look at things in your life.”
“The facilitators worked so hard to create a safe sharing environment. A lot of us opened up – some very openly, others preferred one-to-ones.”
Looking ahead
The success of Life Beyond the Crossroads reinforces Adventure Queens’ belief in the power of nature and community to foster resilience and self-discovery. As one participant put it:
“With the state of the world today, people are struggling with so much. A programme like this gives breathing space and a second chance. It’s crucial. There are lots of yoga retreats, but not ones specifically focusing on people, mental health, and this type of healing journey.”
This pilot was made possible thanks to generous funding from the YHA Festival of Walking, which heavily subsidised costs so that women from a range of backgrounds could take part. We’d love to run more programmes like this – helping more women find space, confidence and clarity in nature – but we can only do that with continued support.
If you’d like to help make future programmes possible, please consider donating or getting in touch at hello@adventurequeens.co.uk