The Pioneer Women’s Walk is the result of 180 years of walking. Literally.
You see, in the 1800s a group of Prussian migrant women walked from the German settlement of Hahndorf to sell produce in Adelaide. The labour of these women and girls who regularly made this 26km walk saved the fledgling colony from starvation.
Now, 180 years later, thousands of resisted walkers sign up to follow in their footsteps. And this years event is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
You will walk country roads, laneways and bush tracks through a delightful section of the Adelaide Hills with historic homes, deciduous trees and native bushland all around you. You can begin your journey at Hahndorf (26km), Bridgewater (19km) or Stirling (12km) depending on your preference and abilities.
At the conclusion of the walk, there’ll be a huge party at Beaumont House, with the Baker Boys Band pumping out epic tunes. Enjoy stunning city views, food vans, live music and beautiful surroundings as you unwind with your fellow walkers and newly made friends.
To replenish yourself, you can grab some fuel at one of the food and drink trucks such as Deja Brew Speciality Coffee, Lobo Spirits and Cider, Oranaise, Lilit’s Hamov Kitchen, Valley Homemade Produce, and BowWow Bikkies.
The team at 2M2 Fitness and Self Defence will take walkers through a stretching session that will ensure you can walk in the morning.
In 1980, using an old map, the National Trust recreated the trail for the first time in over 100-years. And so the Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk was born. A celebration of the endurance and history of the women and girls who carried heavy baskets of produce to save the fledgling colony from starvation.
The women who walked 180 years ago set off at around midnight, following a series of paths used for millennia by the local Kaurna and Peramangk people. As they walked, to keep their spirits up, they sang hymns. You can almost hear their voices reverberating amongst the trees.
Whilst the trail has had to be adapted to account for building developments, it remains as faithful as possible to the original.
So. Get your walking boots on and celebrate an amazing part of South Australia’s history.
Pioneer Women’s Walk
When: Sunday 21st May 2023
Where: The full walk starts from 7.30 am from The Academy; 68 Main Street, Hahndorf
Price: $30.00 per person
For more information, and to book, click here.
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