This idea lived quietly in my heart for almost two years. I have always loved being outdoors. Hiking has been a place where I could disconnect from the noise, enjoy nature, and simply breathe. For a long time, I found myself wishing I had other women to share those moments with. I dreamed of building a community where we could enjoy the trails together while encouraging one another in our faith.

Then, in 2024, an unexpected opportunity came along. My sister, Yolanda, was planning to walk the final 100 kilometers of the Camino Primitivo in northern Spain after losing one of her closest friends to cancer. The trip came together in a short window of time, and I simply did not want her to experience that journey alone.

So I went.

At the time, I thought I was saying yes to an adventure with my sister. I had no idea God had something else waiting for me on that trail.

The Camino became one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Walking day after day through forests, mountains, quiet villages, and open countryside was beautiful, but it was also incredibly challenging. My body felt every mile. There were sore muscles, aching feet, and moments when I wondered how I was going to keep going. Each morning, I had to make the decision to lace up my boots and take another step.

Yet somewhere in those miles, something began to change. The physical challenge slowed me down. The quiet created space. The beauty of God’s creation captured my attention in a way I had never experienced before. Without realizing it, walking through His creation had become one of the most natural ways I had ever connected with Him.

There were no endless notifications, no packed schedule, and no pressure to rush. There was only the rhythm of my footsteps, the sound of nature, the beauty around me, and the quiet. As the miles passed, my heart slowed down too. I found myself praying more naturally, listening more intentionally, and noticing things I usually hurried past.

That is when I realized something that has stayed with me ever since: God often speaks in the quiet places. Not because He is louder there, but because we are finally still enough to listen.

When I returned home, I could not stop thinking about that experience. I kept asking myself, What if people did not have to travel across the world to experience this? What if the beautiful trails right here in Florida could become places where people slow down, spend time in God’s Word, enjoy genuine fellowship, and discover His presence in a fresh and personal way?

That question became Heavenward Hikes.

Heavenward Hikes is not about hiking farther, reaching the highest summit, or being the fastest on the trail. It is about creating space: space to breathe, space to reflect, space to notice the beauty of God’s creation, and space to hear His voice without all the noise of everyday life.

That is why every Heavenward Hike follows a simple rhythm:

Gather → Read → Walk → Trail & Truth → Pray.

We gather and connect, then begin with a Trail Verse, a Scripture chosen for the hike that everyone can carry with them along the trail. Sometimes it is handed out on a card, and sometimes we simply write it down. There is no lesson or Bible study. We read the verse and then head out, allowing each person to reflect on it in their own way as they walk.

The trail itself is intentionally unhurried. You can talk and connect with others, notice the beauty around you, spend some quiet time with God, or simply enjoy the walk. There is no expectation for the experience to look the same for everyone.

After the hike, those who wish are invited to join our Trail & Truth conversation, where we simply share what stood out to us along the way; perhaps something from the Trail Verse, something we noticed in creation, or something God placed on our hearts. There is never any pressure to speak. Sometimes listening is just as meaningful.

We finish with a simple prayer, bringing our time together to a close.

This isn't a Bible study on a trail. It's a hike where we intentionally make space for God.

Heavenward Hikes is a place for anyone who wants to slow down, enjoy God’s creation, and walk alongside others in an authentic and encouraging community. Whether you have been hiking for years, whether this is your very first trail, whether your faith feels strong today, or whether you are simply looking for a place to breathe, you are welcome here.

I truly believe every trail is an invitation to step away from the noise, experience the beauty of God’s creation, listen, reflect, and discover that sometimes the greatest journey is not the one beneath our feet, but the one taking place within our hearts.

I hope you will come walk with us.

And if you are reading this from somewhere beyond Lakeland and thinking, I wish we had something like this in my community, maybe you are the person who can help bring it there. Heavenward Hikes is growing through local Chapters, and I would love to connect with women who feel called to gather others and bring this experience to the trails in their own communities.

See you on the trail,

Mayra Benítez
Lakeland, FL Chapter Trail Guide & Founder, Heavenward Hikes