Beginner Bushcraft Skills Every Woman Should Know

There’s something deeply empowering about learning to thrive outdoors. Whether it’s striking a fire with a single spark or knowing how to build shelter from what’s around you, bushcraft gives you a whole new kind of confidence – and it’s not just for bearded survival experts or TV adventurers.

In fact, more and more women are stepping into the bushcraft space, and it’s about time. If you’re curious about getting started, here are five beginner-friendly bushcraft skills every woman should know, and trust me, you don’t need to be a hardcore adventurer to give these a go.

1. 🔥 Fire Lighting – Because fire is magic

There’s nothing quite like getting your first flame going with a fire-steel and a bit of dry tinder. Learning how to safely and efficiently light a fire is one of the most rewarding (and ancient) bushcraft skills.

You'll discover:

• How to find and prepare natural tinder

• The best types of wood for kindling and fuel

• How to use a firesteel and striker (no lighter required!)

  
  

It’s not just about warmth or cooking – lighting your own fire is deeply satisfying and incredibly grounding.

2. 🔪 Knife Skills – Infinite uses in the forest

A good knife is one of the most useful tools in bushcraft. You don’t need to be a survivalist, just knowing how to safely handle and use a knife opens up a world of practical skills.

Start with:

• Basic safety and handling

• How to carve a simple object (like a wooden peg or mushroom)

• Understanding the different parts of a knife

  
  

It's not about brute strength – it's about control and technique.

3. 🌲 Shelter Building – Your woodland home from home

If you were stuck in the woods overnight, would you know how to stay dry and warm?

Shelter building teaches you:

• How to find a safe, dry spot

• Using natural materials to create a simple lean-to or debris shelter

• The basics of tarp setup (a useful skill even on a rainy hike)

  
  

This skill connects you directly with your environment – and once you’ve built your first shelter, you’ll feel like you can take on anything the elements can throw at you.

4. 🥣 Cooking Over a Fire – Meals always taste better outdoors

You don’t need a camping stove to cook outdoors. With a few basic skills, you can prepare a hearty, hot meal over an open fire.

Start by learning:

• How to create and manage cooking embers

• Simple one-pot meals and foil wrap techniques

• The joy of hot drinks and toasted marshmallows (obviously)

  
  

Food cooked outside just hits different.

5. 🌿 Nature Awareness – The skill that ties it all together

Bushcraft isn’t just about tools and techniques – it’s also about slowing down, noticing, and really seeing your surroundings.

Begin with:

• Identifying a few local trees and plants

• Learning to “read” the forest (what’s dry, what’s damp, what’s useful)

• Tuning into sounds, smells, and tracks

  
  

This awareness deepens your connection to the land and makes every walk feel like an adventure.

💬 Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Perfection

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to know everything to begin. You just need curiosity and a willingness to get stuck in. At Wilder Horizons CIC, we run bushcraft weekends and courses designed specifically for women – no pressure, no judgement, just learning, laughter, and the joy of being outside.

So if you’ve ever thought “I’d love to learn that, but I don’t know where to start” – this is your sign to start.

🌟 Ready to learn bushcraft in a welcoming, women-led space?

Check out our upcoming events here. The wild is calling, and you absolutely belong there.

—Eva Outram Founder, Wilder Horizons CIC

Successful fire lighting at a Wilder Horizons event