Healing Through Hiking: Exploring Nature’s Role in Mental Health Recovery

The Many Benefits of Hiking [2/4] Whether in the mountains or along the coast, hiking serves as a limitless tool for empowerment and reconnection with nature, allowing for self-discovery and exploration of flora and fauna.

Cassis (Bouches-du-Rhône), report

Here, one does not need to climb for hours to enjoy breathtaking views. At the hiking trail’s starting point, while some apply sunscreen, others admire the views over the Bay of Cassis. From the cliffs, the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean stretch below, bordered by the beaches of Cassis and the rugged terrain of the Calanques of Port-Miou and Port-Pin in the distance.

« It’s going to get even more beautiful », promises Alexandra, a community health trainer and founder. Since 2022, this project has been inviting socially isolated individuals, those living with mental health issues like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, or those who simply prefer hiking in a group rather than alone, to explore the calanques 4 to 6 times a month.

Driven by , the program is based on the belief that nature and adventure can facilitate connections with others. This winter, a snowshoeing trip was also organized near Gap (Hautes-Alpes).

This mid-June Saturday, about fifteen hikers, who paid an entry fee of 3 euros — those unable to pay were not required to do so — participate in the 5 km hike. « There will be ups and downs, it’s going to be a bit like a rollercoaster and it will be hot », warns Jean-Claude, a member of the French Alpine Club, who leads the outing.

Before setting off, Mathieu, a specialized educator and sociologist member of the association, invites everyone to select an image from the cards provided to express their current emotion. « Today’s idea is to reflect on what capabilities we have developed with Through the Calanques ? And what capabilities would we like to strengthen further ? » he explains.

The theme set, each hiker finds a partner and starts the hike. Most are familiar faces; Christophe has been attending almost every session since February. Battling depression for two years, it was his psychiatrist who recommended participating in Through the Calanques. « Before, I was very athletic, I used to climb and hike alone, but since my depression, it’s been very challenging. Just planning a route and preparing my bag… All of it seemed unbearable until I came here », shares the 39-year-old man.

Since he stopped working, he lives « like a hermit, except when [he’s] with [his] children ». These hikes are one of the few occasions he interacts with people, and they are greatly beneficial: « It helps me regain confidence in myself. Last time, I brought my kids, my eldest, 8, loved it. Little by little, I’m starting to walk with them again. »

After a few minutes among the pines and junipers, the group takes their first break at Cap Canaille, « we are on some of the highest cliffs in Europe! » points out Jean-Claude, as he overlooks the Mediterranean Sea from nearly 400 meters up. The sun grows stronger. After some photos, it’s time to continue, and they face the first uphill climb. Everyone encourages each other, patience is key: here, it’s not about who can go the fastest.

Arthur, at 35, an ex-military now living with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, experiences social phobia. These hikes also provide him an opportunity to interact with others. « People are kind, there’s no judgment. It helped me come out of my shell, coming here is part of my healing process », he smiles.

The group’s tolerance is also what appeals to Maria, who handles the climbs well despite her heavy backpack. When she arrived in Marseille, knowing no one after a breakup and without a job, she quickly joined hiking clubs. « But each time, people would ask what I did for a living and I could feel their discomfort when I told them, it was excluding », she recalls.

« These outings give me tremendous confidence, because here, we’re not reduced to our roles as patients, says the woman who also lives with post-traumatic stress disorder. On the contrary, we are empowered: we gain skills and knowledge that we can later share with others. We become proactive. »

Breaking isolation, regaining self-confidence, taking initiative, and thus engaging in activities like job searching are all aims of Through the Calanques. The project draws inspiration from the psychosocial intervention through nature and adventure, a concept developed in Quebec in the 2000s. This approach allows participants to actively engage in learning and change through adventure activities performed in a group setting within nature.

« Hiking in nature takes people out of their comfort zones and pushes them to surpass themselves while acquiring new knowledge that they can later apply in their daily lives », explains Mathieu. « While initially, they fear not being fit enough, they realize by the end that they are capable of much more than they imagined, observes Alexandra. In such adventurous contexts, cooperation is essential, which encourages working on one’s relationship with others. »

Through the Calanques also has an ecological dimension. Beyond stepping out of an urban environment and admiring the beauty of the landscape, « the idea is to see nature as a space that fosters relations with other actors, whether it’s the birds we listen to, the trees we touch, or the sea we see in the distance. It’s an opportunity to create new connections with both our social and natural environments », adds Mathieu.

Murielle holds a sprig of rosemary in her hand. This connection with nature, she needs it. « Here, I focus on physical sensations like touching the ground, smelling the scents of the scrubland, listening to the sound of the waves… It’s a way to center myself rather than spiraling back into my anxiety », she says softly.

Adventuring alone in nature can also be intimidating. Bechir and his companion Samia, who came with their children, prefer organized group hikes. « When you don’t know the places, with five children, you don’t just go for it. Plus, there’s always a guide, which is reassuring », Bechir, a member of the mutual aid collective of residents of Marseille’s 3rd district, believes.

Fred was also looking for a hiking group because « on my own, I was just going in circles ». At 59, the unemployed actor has been participating in the outings since late March. « What I like here is that everyone has their little issues, but there’s no judgment, we are more sincere, it allows for more freedom », he says. Earlier in the climb, he thought he wouldn’t make it. « I wanted to stop, but I was supported, and now, I feel like I’ve accomplished something. I’ve fulfilled my part », he says.

Like Fred, more and more people are joining Through the Calanques. « This year, already 120 people have participated, totaling 335 participations, as people come back. And we’ve only done half of the 40 days planned until the end of 2025. Overall, since 2022, it’s been exponential growth, with over 1,300 participations in total for almost 100 days of activities », Mathieu notes.

Despite the success, the future of the project is uncertain due to funding issues. « We’ve had cuts in subsidies. The hikes will continue until the end of the year at least, we’re doing everything to find a viable model, but the context is complicated, we need support », says Mathieu. The real cost estimated for a day of hiking is 1,200 euros, which corresponds to the time of work for preparation and organization by the two guides. To ensure the project’s sustainability, .

Another association, , based in Servoz (Haute-Savoie), has been offering similar outings in the Alps since 1995.