Behind the scenes:
how Hiking trails started
First of all, let me introduce myself: mom of 2 boys, 21 years experience in logistics, 20 years of fitnees instructor experience…and than, pivot turn towards nature..
Well, pivot in professional meaning. I always loved beeing in nature, prefering mountains, forest and seaside to big cities husstle. Going for a hike was a habit, more of a feeling, that I need to be among the trees, where you dont’ hear traffic sounds and preferrably no other people. It helped to balance stress coming from logistics job. It was year 2022, when stress was so overwhelming, that I felt there is 2 options: I will quite my job (and I loved my job, so didn’t really want to do it) OR I need to get away somewhere, preferably on a long hike. So I found a perfect option, or so I thought – 8 days trecking in Tuscany in November. Saying it was difficult, would be like saying nothing. The only thought by the end of the day was.. Are we there yet? 154 km in total, proper descending and ascending meters, several blisters and legs hearting by the end of the day. It was really demanding physically, but at the same time surroundings were breathtaking and mentally it was a perfect restart. All other thoughts were gone from my head – you only think how to move forward. Was it a burnout or was I on the edge of it, I don’t know. All I know, is that trecking helped me gather myself. This is the reason I believe in nature healing properties.
Career pivot time: from logistics to tourism
Sometime later economical situation changed and company, where I worked, decided to make cuts. As I was not exactly happy, I was thankful for the decision they made for me. Do you know the feeling, when your are not content, but love your job and can’t leave?
That was the pivot time. I applied to Estonian University of Life Sciences to study Nature based tourism, master’s degree.
Some years ago it was common, that after school you studied in order to get a profession and you sticked to it for a life time. Not any more. Today its quite usual, that people are changing occupation several times. What is popular today and allows someone to make decent profit might not be same in 3 years. At the same time previous experience matters: its like layers in the cake, making flavours richier.
2 years later I had my diploma and a lot of knowledge about responsible tourism. The principles I use while choosing the trail and preparing the event. Especially, when it comes to hikes on the bog: timing is important. Even when it’s not officially regulated, there are some rules in order not to disturb wild life.
First hikes were with friends even before going to University. Thing is, I love organising things and previous logistic’s life definitely helps. Then I created Facebook page Estonia Nature Tourism, where information about coming events is shared – if you are not yet following it, now is the time. I love discovering new trails, there is some much to see, plants, forms of landscape, birds migrations in spring and autumn. Sharing it with others makes me content. Seeing happy, satisfied faces after the hike – this is the reason Hiking Trails exists.
