I decided to start over after my divorce in a big way – by backpacking 800 miles! At 48 I’m hiking the Arizona Trail (AZT) as an older woman. Will this day hiker make it? This is part 1 of many entries, click here to view all posts about my AZT Thru Hike.
Hiking the Arizona Trail as an Older Woman: My Journey of Starting Over After a Divorce
Have you ever said “yes” to something your gut told you to do—before your brain could talk you out of it?
That’s exactly how I ended up hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman, just three weeks after agreeing to it. No real training. No backpacking gear. No clue. But I did it anyway.
I was 48, divorced, jobless, and grieving the loss of my best friend—my dog Maggy. Life had tossed me into a storm, and I didn’t know which direction to walk in next. Turns out, the Arizona Trail became more than just a hike. It became my way of starting over after a divorce, after loss, and after losing my footing in life.
The Arizona Trail as a Symbol of Reinvention
Moving to Arizona from California was supposed to be my fresh start. I had dreams of buying a van, working remotely, and exploring the United States. Instead, I found myself stuck—emotionally frozen. My divorce had unraveled everything familiar. I didn’t know who I was without a partner, without a plan, and without my dog by my side.
I’d been hiking for years—day hikes, car camping, familiar trails—but hiking the 800 mile Arizona Trail as an older woman? That felt completely out of reach. Until one day, my now friend Janice posted in our Hiking for Her group that she was looking for someone to hike the AZT with here. Without knowing what the AZT was and without thinking, my fingers typed “I’m in.” And that was that.
I didn’t know it at the time, but saying “yes” to that post was me choosing to start over after my divorce. It was me saying, “I’m not done yet.”
Prepping in Three Weeks: What Could Go Wrong?
I had three weeks to prepare. THREE. I didn’t even own a large backpack, just a day pack. Hiking shoes? Sure. Trekking poles? Nope. Sleeping system? Nada.
I went to REI and ended up with a massive 65L Osprey backpack. I looked at it and thought, “What the hell did I just commit to?” That pack would eventually carry me—figuratively and literally—through 76 miles of rugged, wild Arizona.
Despite the short prep window, I trained hard. I started loading up with heavier weights, going on longer hikes, and mentally preparing myself. What I couldn’t prepare for was the emotional transformation that would come from hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman who had already lived through heartbreak, loss, and reinvention.
Facing the Trail—and Myself
From the moment we stepped foot at the Mexican border, I knew this wasn’t just about hiking. This was healing. This was rebirth.
The Arizona Trail doesn’t baby you. The elevation gain, the heat, the weight of the pack—none of it is easy. But neither is starting over after a divorce. Both push you to your limit. Both force you to ask: Can I really do this?
Spoiler: Yes. You can.
I learned how to pack smarter. I learned how to adjust my load and listen to my body. But more importantly, I learned that my age wasn’t a limitation. It was an advantage. At 48, I had resilience. I had grit. I had life experience that told me, You’ve survived worse. Keep going.
Why the Arizona Trail Was the Right Path for My Midlife Reset
Hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman wasn’t about proving anything to anyone else. It was about proving something to myself. That I could begin again. That even when life breaks your heart, there’s still something wild and beautiful waiting for you down the path.
Every step reminded me that my story isn’t over just because a chapter closed. Divorce didn’t end my life—it cracked me open. And through those cracks, the Arizona sun poured in.
This wasn’t a perfectly planned thru-hike. It was messy, impulsive, and totally out of my comfort zone. But I think that’s what made it perfect for me. At a time when I didn’t trust life, I trusted the trail. And it didn’t let me down.
Read about day 1 of my AZT Thru-Hike here.
Resources for the Arizona Trail
- Arizona Trail
- Guthooks Guide for AZT – App we used to navigate
- All AZT posts on AllieRambles
FAQs About Hiking the Arizona Trail as an Older Woman and Starting Over After a Divorce
Is it safe to hike the Arizona Trail as an older woman, especially solo or with minimal experience?
Yes—with preparation. Many older women hike the AZT either solo or in small groups. Start with smaller sections, get familiar with your gear, and consider joining a community like Hiking for Her. Safety improves with planning, awareness, and confidence.
How can hiking help with starting over after a divorce?
Hiking offers solitude, clarity, and a physical way to process emotional pain. Being in nature can ground you, help you reflect, and give you a new sense of purpose. It’s not just walking—it’s therapy with a view.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before hiking the AZT?
That it’s okay to feel unprepared. I thought I had to be perfectly trained, but the trail teaches you as you go. If you’re starting over after a divorce, trust that the journey will shape you in the ways you need most—even if you can’t see it at first.
Thank You for Stopping By!
Hi, I’m Allie, obsessed hiker, explorer of our world and reinventor of my life in my 50s.
Let’s wander, grow, and figure it out together.
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