Reclaiming forgotten cultural narratives
This prompted Ars to explore 'women's trails' in greater depth. In her book Het Wilde Vrouwenpad. Avontuurlijke Wandelingen (The Wild Women's Trail. Adventurous Hikes), the author takes the reader along trails connected to free-spirited women from history. She walked, among other things, the Dorothy Wordsworth Walking Trail (England), the Brigid's Way (Ireland), the Astrid Lindgrenpad (Sweden) and the Via Matildica (Italy). These journeys reveal how women's stories have been systematically overlooked in our collective cultural memory, despite their profound contributions to European heritage.

Walking for freedom and self-confidence
Outdoor adventure provides women with a sense of freedom and self-confidence, according to previous research conducted by Ars in conjunction with BUas. "Nevertheless, the influential French philosopher Rousseau once stated that although walking is beneficial for contemplation, it is not suitable for women. This is despite the fact that adventurous men have always been placed on a pedestal. Just think of the Explorers Club in New York. Men who explored Papua New Guinea and the North Pole, for example, were considered true heroes. Women were expected to take care of their families."

Contemporary challenges and changing perspectives
Nowadays, adventurous walking—where you do something new and take on challenges—is becoming increasingly popular, especially among women. However, Ars observes that they often face obstacles when they want to go on a solo walking trip. "I notice that the women I talk to are mainly concerned with: what will others think of this? Can I do this to my family? This shows that old ideas still persist to some extent."

Adventure as cultural preservation and empowerment
Ars is pleased that there is increasing attention paid to women's trails and solo adventures for women. She recognises that embarking on adventures and taking on challenges can be a proven 'social prescription' for mental health issues such as anxiety and trauma. Adventure represents an essential moment of reflection and empowerment, offering a counterbalance to a society in which male narratives often dominate issues such as war, polarisation, and inequality.

Bridging heritage and contemporary society
Through her research, Ars demonstrates how rediscovering women's historical journeys can inform contemporary approaches to gender equality and cultural understanding. Her work exemplifies how tourism and leisure studies can contribute to broader societal transformation by challenging traditional narratives and creating more inclusive cultural experiences.

About the researcher
Through her research and publications, Brigitte Ars contributes to the debate on the role of female power in society. In her role as a lecturer and researcher at BUas, she wants to actively contribute to improving society and shows how adventurous living and solo hiking trips can help women take a stronger place in the world. She is also an ambassador of Adventure Mind, a British organisation that researches the positive impact of adventure on mental health.