TrailCollectiv
It started with a baby…
After I had my first baby in 2013, I knew that I had to take her outside. Part of it was because I wanted her to benefit from vitamin N (nature) but also because I needed it for my own post-partum health. I found that I was happier if I took my baby outside at least once a day and that the crying was not so loud outside.
But, the search for useful trail information and nearby attractions to these trails that benefit families was hard to find. Oftentimes, it did not even exist. I did not want to keep going to the same outdoor spot every day. I also was exhausted and trying to figure out where to go was overwhelming.
I learned that I was not alone.
Other families wanted to learn about these places too, whether it was the best mountain summit for a toddler, great all-terrain stroller-friendly trails, or local gems for ice cream and coffee.
TrailCollectiv was a concept in 2013 but finally was ‘born’ in 2021 to meet families’ hiking and travel needs. This is the TrailCollectiv beta version, aka our test site, and our team hopes you stick around to see where we take the Collectiv.
Annika Mang (Co-Founder)
Find Annika on social media
Instagram @borntobeadventurous
Facebook @borntobeadventurous
TikTok @borntobadventurous
Find your next Family Trail
“Adventuring does not end when you have children, it is only the beginning.”
In 2018, I found out I was pregnant.
Prior to having a child, I was an avid runner and trail runner and spent the majority of my time galavanting in the mountains, exploring on foot.
My pregnancy ended up being very complicated and my son was born very early. Needless to say, my introduction to parenthood was much different than I had expected. I was not the parent that was heading out camping or hiking with a 6-week old baby, and for a number of months, I spent a lot of time on the couch. My son was immunocompromised (we did the whole social distancing thing before it was a thing) BUT we could safely spend time outside.
From the beginning, from the moment we were home from the hospital, the outdoors were a refuge for our family.
It was small to start, walks around the neighbourhood, exploring “secret” spots close to home, and gradually some longer hikes together as a family on the weekends. I connected with other people doing the same thing, and learned that there is a large community of parents and people finding solace, calm, and joy in the outdoors.
Finding information about where to go, and what an area or trail is really like -takes so much time and effort, sometimes too much effort!
I am so excited that Trailcollectiv exists to make trails and the outdoors more accessible to all folks.
I believe there is so much value in communities that can support people through all phases of life and encourage them to get outdoors and move their bodies (in whatever ways work).
I cannot wait to connect with you and link people to the information they need to get out there.
Jess Sproat (Co-Founder)
Find Jess on social media:
Instagram @jesscsproat
Download your hiking guide app!
“Enjoy the big destinations as a family but take delight in watching your kids enjoy the little things like the rocks and sticks that they find.”
Our Vision
To build a world where connection and experiences thrive.
Improve connections with family, friends, and our community.
Improve connection with the environment
Our Mission
Help families feel welcome outdoors and prepared for their next hiking adventure.
Our Team
Annika Mang
Co-Founder
Jess Sproat
Co-Founder
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Believe in TrailCollectiv
We have dreams to connect families from all over North America with the trails and road trip information they need to connect with their families. Click the button below to head to our support page to help families of all backgrounds access the information they need to get outside!
