Lauren Roerick “Longway” – Thru-Hiking the World: PCT, HexaTrek & Te Araroa
- May 12
- 4 min read
Lauren Roerick, known on trail as Longway, is a long-distance backpacker, filmmaker, and outdoor educator who has hiked across North America, Europe, and Oceania. From the Pacific Crest Trail to New Zealand’s Te Araroa, and becoming the first North American woman to thru-hike France’s 3,034 km HexaTrek, Lauren shares her adventures and the lessons they’ve taught her.
In this episode, she talks about stepping into the world of long-distance hiking in her 30s, navigating challenges on remote trails, making decisions in the moment, and learning to trust herself. Through her storytelling and filmmaking, Lauren inspires women to build confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with the outdoors—proving that it’s never too late to take that first step.
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Show notes
Who is Lauren
Long distance backpacker and film maker
Currently in California, but normally based out of Vancouver, Canada
Her early year growing up in a small city in Southern Alberta called Lethbridge
Not getting into backpacking until her 30s
Playing a lot of sports, being a gymnasts, playing rugby and doing jujitsu
What changed in her 30s
A walk in the books by Bill Bryson - the classic thru-hiker read
Having the courage to take the step to make her dreams come true
Why the first step is the hardest
You get one life….
Being willing to sacrifice the other things
What’s really important to you
Support from family
March 2020 and being on the trail when the pandemic started
Moving in with her mum in Southern California for 4 months
Making the decision to leave the trail
Why it wasn’t an easy decision to make
Heading back the following year (2021) and not knowing if she would get the chance to hike again
Being made redundant after 6 months
Finding a southbound permit for the PCT at the end of June
Being drawn to hike on long trails
Making life long friendships and building community while hiking
Starting to document her hikes as soon as she started
Vlogging for THE TREK
Being a documenter - but not having experience in vlogging
Her biggest challenge while being on the PCT
The fires, the weather and needing to adapt to the trail
Making the decision to fly to Colorado to hike the Colorado Trail
Doing back to back hiking since 2023
Wanting to make a career out of this
Needing to go all in
Deciding that it was ok to be tired
Her love for the trails
Taking things a little slower when you need to
Finding a balance that works for her
Deciding to hike the HexaTrek
Choosing a trail off the beaten track
Not speaking French
HexaTrek is a 3034 km hiking trail, connecting 14 of the most beautiful nationals parks and crossing France from the Vosges to the Pyrenees.
The people on the trail
Wanting to make more solo decisions and building those skills
Making decisions when you don’t have good options
Trusting her gut and intuition
Learning acceptance while on the trail
Thoughts on the Hexatrek and why it’s not a beginner trail
Spending 4 months on the trail (121 days)
Feeling strong and fit at the end of the trail
Having 3 months before heading out to New Zealand to hike the Te Araroa Trail
Heading NOBO on the TA - starting in Bluff and heading to Cape Reinga (the non traditional way)
Highlights from the trail and why it’s such an interesting trail
The hut system in New Zealand
Why it’s not just about the hiking
The logistics off the trail - and why it was frustrating
The lessons learned from hiking the TA
Changing from a purist hiker to a hike your own hike, hiker.
Making it her own adventure, doing side quests and making the adventure unique to her
Sharing her stories online and hiking while being observed
People expectations of her while hiking
Figuring out what works for you
Hiking in Georgia - and loving it!
Nutrition and food while on the trail
Eating the same food day after day and being ok with it
Wearing trainers on the trial
Hiking Plans for 2026
Hiking with a group of content creators - The Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa
Working with Jack Wolfskin
Being booked out until October
Feeing excited about the future
Advice and tips for new hikers - the tropics that should be talked about me
Don’t get overwhelmed by the whole trail
How to connect with Lauren online
Final words of advice for women to step outside their comfort zone
It’s okay to want things for yourself. It’s okay to prioritise yourself and your dream - even it that sometimes means putting them ahead of other people’s goals.
Social Media
Website: www.laurenroerick.com
Instagram: @laurenroerick
Youtube: @laurenroerick
Patreon www.patreon.com/laurenexplores
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