My Hiking Journey: A Path to Healing
Where do I start? I began hiking to improve my mental health. Life had become overwhelmingly hectic, and I needed a way to reconnect with myself.
My name is Darren Edwards, and I have been running my own design agency since 1993. Over the years, I built a successful business with a steady stream of clients, which kept me busier than I ever anticipated. Unfortunately, this often meant sacrificing valuable family time, leading to a growing resentment toward my work. I felt trapped in a relentless cycle, as if I were a little mouse on a giant wheel that I couldn’t escape. I suspect many people share this feeling of living to work, rather than working to live.
Facing the Darkness
One day, my world came crashing down. I was consumed by grief and overwhelmed by everything in my life. Despite having what seemed like a great life, I fell into a deep depression—a despair so profound that I could hardly see a way out. Although I knew people who struggled with depression, I had never truly understood the absolute darkness and the sickening pain that can consume your heart until I experienced it myself.
Upon reflection, I realise that feeling trapped by my own creation contributed to my depression. At that time, I lived on the edge of a state park in Melbourne’s west. One day, I mustered the strength to drag myself out of bed and went for a solitary walk in the bush. To my surprise, I returned hours later feeling more alive and refreshed than I had in a long time. So, I did it again the next day, and the next.
Finding Solace in Nature
For the next two years, I hiked alone every weekend, sometimes venturing out both Saturday and Sunday. There were moments I stood on the edge of cliffs, contemplating life’s meaning, and others where I simply sought refuge from my racing thoughts. Hiking became my lifeline, providing purpose and clarity amidst the chaos in my mind. In the bush, I felt no judgment, no expectations—just a profound sense of peace.
In those moments of solitude, I began to appreciate the beauty of being insignificant in the vastness of nature. This perspective shift helped me realise that life extends beyond my struggles, encouraging me to reconnect with my family, friends, and my two amazing sons.
Hiking Saved My Life
I truly believe that hiking saved my life and brought me closer to my family. While I still prefer to hike alone, my role as the organizer of Australia’s largest hiking groups and the creator of the Trail Hiking Australia website means I often hike with others. Although it’s more chaotic than my solitary hikes, I recognize the importance of social connection, and I challenge myself to embrace it.
As I embarked on this deeply personal journey, I began to wonder if hiking could also help others facing similar struggles. Drawing on my skills as a web developer, I created this website. Initially, it featured only the hikes I had completed, but within two years, it grew to include over 150 trails throughout Victoria. I soon realised that I was limiting the site geographically, so I undertook a massive project to expand it, resulting now in 3,633 trails across Australia. While I can’t know for certain if my efforts have helped others, I hold onto the hope that they have.
A Call to Reconnect
Part of me has always wanted to share my journey, believing that my story might encourage others to silence their minds and heal their hearts through hiking. I hesitated, worried that my experiences might be too personal for public scrutiny. However, I now feel ready to share how profoundly hiking has changed my life in the hope that it might inspire at least one other person.
I am passionate about our wilderness and the mission of this site. I started hiking as an escape from the real world and my own thoughts, seeking to reconnect with nature, switch off from life’s chaos, and unplug from technology.
I hope my journey can help you find your path.
Darren Edwards
Founder, Trail Hiking Australia
[email protected]
Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear hiking turned things around for you. Ditto for me.
Thank you Siobhan
thank you for creating this forum and also sharing your story. hiking is my way of remembering who i am and continuing to build the person i want to be without all the noise of life as a distraction and detraction.
Thank you Julia. It is a great way to rediscover yourself and escape from all doing attractions, if only for a short time, until the next hike of course.
Only site I have found that allows the user to effectively filter walks based on criteria such as length, number days etc. Very useful. Thanks for creating. Left a (modest) donation. Thankyou!
Thank you for saying that Simon. Really appreciate your comments and donation 🙂
Hi Darren,
Loved your story, I can certainly relate. Sometimes some of us build up a “trap” without realising. Hiking is like a breath of fresh air, or as I like to say chicken soup for the soul.
Is there somehow I can make contact with you direct?
Trevor
Thanks Trevor. Really appreciated. My email address is next to my photo above.
Hi Darren, we have just found your website and love it. Hiking the Victorian alps and your website makes it a lot easier. Great info on it. Thanks for sharing your story. Well done for encouraging people to connect with nature. We wish you all the best
Hi Darren, we have just found your website and love it. Hiking the Victorian alps and your website makes it a lot easier. Great info on it. Thanks for your story. Well done for encouraging people to connect with nature.
Thank you. Hope my story helps at least one person 🙂
Hi Darren, we have just found your website and love it. Hiking the Victorian alps and your website makes it a lot easier. Great info on it. Well done for encouraging people to connect with nature.
Thank you so much Kirsty. Really glad you found it and are enjoying using it. Hope it helps you find many more adventures.
Thanks for the site Darren. Likewise one foot in front of the other has been a solid foundation for wellness in my life. I came across your hike planning Wilson Prom walk over Easter. I am working on a slightly different trail walking site. Would love to connect.
Thanks for your message Suzanne. Your site sounds interesting. Feel free to reach out.