Girls Who Hike Virginia began as a Facebook group, revived by Stephanie Whitesides to create a welcoming space where women+ could find hiking buddies, ask questions, and share our love of the outdoors. Within months, the group grew rapidly as more hikers found a sense of belonging and adventure in the outdoors.

In 2022, a team of women formally established GWHVA as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. What began as a grassroots effort is now a statewide community of 34,000+ hikers committed to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and empowering.

Today, we’re a fully volunteer-run organization connecting women+ with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to confidently enjoy the outdoors—whether they’re taking their first hiking steps or leading others up the trail.