Champlain Area Trails (CATS), the accredited land trust dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable trails and protecting land in the Champlain Valley, celebrated the third anniversary of its CATSWomen hiking group. CATSWomen is a volunteer-led group that creates a welcoming space for women of all ages and abilities to gain confidence in the outdoors by hiking together.

Over the past three years, CATSWomen has hosted numerous hikes on CATS trails, such as Cheney Mountain, Viall’s Crossing, and other Champlain Valley area trails, like Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. The group celebrated its anniversary with a potluck at a member’s home, with over 25 attendees sharing stories from their adventures over the past three years.

“CATSWomen has become such an important part of our organization and community,” said Hannah Provost, Board Member of CATS and a CATSWoman. “It’s inspiring to see the friendships and mentorships that have formed and the increased interest in hiking and stewardship that the group has sparked.”

Torey Patenaude, Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at CATS, said, “The Champlain Valley has some of the most stunning natural areas, and we want to make them accessible to everyone. Groups like CATSWomen are key to building an inclusive hiking community and fostering a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental stewards.”

Founded in 2009, CATS has 78 miles of trails, protects 983 acres of land, and hosts hundreds of hikes, education programs, and volunteer events, attracting thousands of visitors to the region.

CATSWomen welcomes new members at any time. The group meets almost every two weeks and announces hikes on the CATS website and social media channels. The hikes are open to women of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. To learn more about CATSWomen and Champlain Area Trails, visit champlainareatrails.com.