By Jen Spice for Nashville Fit
“Just go for a walk” sounds simple until you’re the woman doing the mental math before you leave.
How much daylight do I have? Do I know this trail? Will there be other people around? Should I wait until a friend can come?
Sometimes you want fresh air without a full committee meeting in your head first.
That’s why Metro Parks’ Women’s Hiking Series caught my attention. Its September session, Facing Your Fears, creates an opportunity for women to connect with nature and one another, with beginners welcome. You don’t have to arrive already confident to deserve a place on the trail.
The free session takes place Wednesday, September 30, at 6 p.m. at Beaman Park Nature Center. It’s open to ages 13 and up, and no hiking experience is necessary. Register through the contact information on Metro Parks’ official event page.
The 13-and-up part especially stands out to me. I love the idea of girls having opportunities to build outdoor confidence alongside women of different ages. Learning something new feels different when you can ask questions, find company, and see that you aren’t the only beginner.
Also, you do not need to make hiking your entire personality before you try it. We can start with one evening.
Through Nashville Fit’s work with Nashville Downtown Partnership and Metro Parks on Riverfront Pilates and Happy Hour Pilates, I get to help bring free movement into our shared outdoor spaces. Making those opportunities welcoming and accessible matters to me.
This Women’s Hiking Series is another reason to appreciate Metro Parks. Their team is creating a place to start for women who want to spend more time outside but may not know where to begin.
A park can be beautiful. An invitation to actually use it, with people to meet and something to learn, can make it feel more approachable.
That deserves a shout-out.
When we talk about women feeling comfortable outside, we have to leave room for the concerns that come with it. An unfamiliar trail, a run after sunset, or simply showing up to a group alone can bring up very different worries.
None of those deserves an eye roll or a “you’re overthinking it.”
And facing a fear doesn’t mean ignoring your instincts or pushing through a situation that feels wrong. You get to ask questions. You get to choose company. You get to change your plan.
For a walk, run, or hike, a little preparation can help: check the route and park hours, let someone know where you’re headed and when you expect to return, and plan for the available daylight. If you’re joining a new group, ask about distance, pace, terrain, and what to bring.
These are useful habits—not a promise of safety, and never a reason to blame someone who experiences harm. Women deserve to enjoy public spaces without harassment. Full stop.
What I appreciate about a program like this is the chance to build confidence with other people around you. You can want independence and appreciate company. Both things can be true.
Metro Parks’ calendar also lists Night Hiking on October 14 at 6 p.m. and Packing Your Own Pack on November 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., both at Beaman Park. Check each session’s registration and age requirements separately.
You don’t have to leave your first outing ready to disappear into the wilderness for a week. Maybe you leave knowing a little more, having met someone new, and feeling more comfortable making your next outdoor plan.
That sounds like a pretty good Wednesday to me.
Join Facing Your Fears: September 30 at 6 p.m., Beaman Park Nature Center, 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Ashland City, TN 37015. Call 615-642-8580, the registration number listed on the event page, or use its email contact. Ask about availability, the meeting point, and what to bring when registering.
September session and registration · Metro Parks outdoor recreation calendar · November session
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