TOGETHER WE OWN THE FOREST!

Do you want to run trails? Do it together with the Forest Femmes.

Forest Femmes started as an idea at Icebug in Gothenburg. Would more girls start running in the forest if it is done together with others? Without time requirements and with a focus on learning. The answer was yes, and Forest Femmes is a success. Nowadays, several hundred girls run trails together every week.

It all started one evening in the Botanical Garden in Gothenburg in the fall of 2016. Forest Femmes – Icebug trail sisters, a trail group for girls, where to meet for the first time. Icebug hoped that at least 15-20 girls would show up. One hundred twenty came.

Michaela Lindgren, Icebug:

''We have removed the performance requirements. Many who run with us don't even know what they're running the mile on.''

Including

Forest Femmes is for everyone. We place considerable focus on having fun and enjoying our surroundings, and very little focus on speed and performance. All levels are welcome and we make sure we come up with challenges to suit everyone.

Outdoors

– I had a hunch that it could become this big in Gothenburg, eventually. But I didn't think we would get so many people interested in other cities. We even had to hold a few groups back to have time to do things thoroughly from the start, says the Forest Femmes initiatior Michaela Lindgren.

We run outdoors in all kinds of weather, during all seasons. We love being out in the forest and notice what a positive impact it has on our wellbeing, both physical and mental. We want everyone to have the chance to experience it!

Encouraging

A lot of women who come think they are ‘bad’ at running and that they aren’t ‘real’ runners. We try to change their attitude and explain that a ‘real’ runner is someone who runs, at any speed. So as far as we’re concerned, everyone there is a REAL runner.

We only use positive expressions and never phrases like: “Last one loses”.

Safe

We want people to feel comfortable while running in the forest. At Forest Femmes, our main commitment is that you feel safe. Our experienced leaders knows all the trails we are running, they’re also equipped with a first-aid-kit and educated in how to use it.

We want to avoid accidents and recommend all runners to use trail shoes, and especially Icebug shoes thanks to the unbeatable traction. In dark conditions, head lamps are mandatory - just like studded shoes or ice cleats are in mandatory in sub-zero temperatures.

Free

Our mission with Forest Femmes is to inspire people to run in the forest and to experience nature together – and of course all Forest Femmes events are free to join.

Expanding

Forest Femmes started in Gothenburg, Sweden, but we know that people are longing for the forest all over the world.

We’re always looking for new leaders. If you’re interested in hosting a Forest Femmes-group in your city, please contact us at forestfemmes@icebug.se

Do you want to join?

Come and run!

Here are the places Forest Femmes are located!

Forest Femmes is an initiative to get more girls into trail running. Together we make the forest our place. The place where we both get exercise, fresh air, experiences and new friends