Finding Flow: Chasing Waterfalls in the Peak District with Busy Babes Club

For the women of Busy Babes Club, adventure isn't about ticking destinations off a bucket list. It's about creating space to reconnect with themselves, spend time in nature and experience the outdoors alongside a supportive community.

Founded by Jasmine Douglas, Busy Babes grew from a networking community for ambitious women into a space centred around movement, creativity, rest and adventure. Today, it brings women together through retreats, outdoor experiences and activities designed to encourage them to step away from work, embrace play and try something new.

At the heart of it all is a simple belief: life happens outside of work, and some of the most rewarding experiences come from stepping into unfamiliar territory.

"I want to see Black and brown women at these places and sharing their journeys.....When I bring women along who maybe don't see themselves in these spaces, or have never tried something before, they get to do it for the first time and feel safe doing it in community with women who look like them." - Jasmine

From Burnout to Adventure

The outdoor experiences at the centre of Busy Babes today stem from a desire to create space for women to reconnect with themselves beyond the pressures of work and everyday life.

"It filled me up so much I wanted to bring that back to other women busy chasing careers," Jasmine explains. "A reminder that life is meant to be lived, and that we feel most connected and most inspired when we're outdoors and completely out of our heads and away from work."

Whether it's surfing, hiking, horse riding, cliff jumping or cold-water swimming, each adventure is designed to help participants slow down, be present and discover what becomes possible when they step outside their comfort zone.

Chasing Waterfalls

Water has become an important part of the Busy Babes experience. Through ice bath sessions, cold-water swims and retreats, the community has found a powerful way to reset, challenge themselves and fully embrace the moment.

"Water is the main way our community resets," says Jasmine. "Mostly every month through our ice bath club, and last year on one of our retreats we did a cold-water swim that people loved."

When planning their next outdoor adventure, the community wanted more than a scenic walk. The goal was to find a route that combined movement, exploration and the reward of a natural swimming spot.

"Being in water was our main priority, but I didn't want a route where we'd just hike and get straight in and out," Jasmine explains. "Most of the water routes around London were beach-adjacent, and we wanted something wilder."

After researching waterfalls across the UK, the group settled on Three Shires Head in the Peak District.

"It was a nice full-circle moment too, going back to the Peak District for this, since that's where I did my first cold-water swim a couple of years ago."

The Route: Meadows, Ridges and Waterfalls

The route delivered exactly the kind of adventure the group had been searching for.

"It opened with a steep incline along a narrow path beside a stream, twisting up through the hills, before opening into an expansive meadow with tall grass on either side," Jasmine recalls.

From there, the trail climbed onto ridges, passed rocky outcrops and included a small scramble before descending towards Three Shires Head. The ever-changing scenery meant there was always something new to discover around the next corner.

When the group finally reached Three Shires Head, they were rewarded with cool pools, flowing water and the chance to relax and swim after hours on the trail.

When Adventure Doesn't Go to Plan

Like many outdoor adventures, the day didn't go entirely according to plan.

Partway through the hike, one member of the group twisted her ankle in an area with no phone signal. What had been expected to be a straightforward day outdoors quickly became a lesson in teamwork and problem-solving.

"As the lead, I was split juggling both staying with her and getting the rest of the group to the waterfall after a four-hour journey to get there," says Jasmine.

After spotting a house in the distance, the group adjusted their plans and eventually found help from the occupants of a nearby Airbnb, who kindly assisted in getting the injured hiker back to the meeting point. The rest of the group was still able to continue safely to the waterfall.

"It was a genuinely stressful moment in the field, but it pushed me to use every bit of my emergency planning instincts," Jasmine reflects. "The lesson was clear: even on a walk billed as easy, if you're heading somewhere with no phone signal, bring a satellite phone."

It was a valuable reminder that no matter how experienced you are outdoors, preparation always matters.

Trail-Tested Comfort

Moving between grassy trails, rocky scrambles, streams and waterfalls meant the route was a good test of footwear.

"We were all genuinely surprised by how grippy they were"

The biggest surprise for the group was grip and comfort quickly became another talking point.

"By the end, the comment everyone kept making was how grippy they were, even in the water, and how comfortable. Honestly, the arch support was excellent...Having one shoe that performs in and out of the water, and on the trail, is exactly what we need."

For a community that regularly combines hiking, swimming and travel into the same adventure, versatility proved just as important.

Finding Adventure Closer to Home

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the day was a reminder that adventure doesn't always require a passport.

"There's real magic to be found right here in the UK," Jasmine says. "We always look abroad for adventure, but there's so much that's accessible without ever leaving the country—you just have to step outside your usual routine to find it."

The day was long, with hours spent travelling and hiking, but for everyone involved, the experience was worth every step.

For the Busy Babes community, adventures like this aren't just about reaching a destination. They're about discovering new places, building confidence, finding connection and creating moments of joy outdoors together.

Follow the Community

Follow @babesonwavesclub and @thebusybabesclub for upcoming retreats, outdoor meetups and community adventures. You can also find their Peak District route on Komoot.