About Darren Edwards

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 3,763 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]

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