2025 Winner
We are delighted to reveal that Ursula Martin, author of One Woman Walks Europe (Honno Welsh Women’s Press), is the winner of the inaugural Ilse Schwepcke Prize for women’s travel writing.
Ursula will received £5000 in a ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Ursula said: ‘Both my walking and book writing have been deeply solitary journeys. To bring a book in from the creative wilderness and have it recognised by women committed to supporting other women is a great honour and wonderful affirmation of all the effort. I hope the Ilse Schwepcke Prize continues to highlight the achievements of many intrepid women in future, both amplifying unheard voices and showing us more of what women are capable of.’
The jurors said:
“All three judges agreed that her account of walking from Ukraine to Wales was a true travel adventure worthy of taking its place in that long tradition…” – Helena Attlee
“…A brave woman who has undertaken and completed a truly immense journey, living simply, camping discreetly, grateful for the kindness of strangers, stoic in the face of physical hardship and revelling in the beauty of nature…” – Arabella Friesen
“One Woman Walks Europe is an inspiring testament to courage, resilience, and the transformative power of walking…” – Stephanie Yeboah
One Woman Walks Europe
Join Ursula Martin on an epic 5500-mile trek across Europe in One Woman Walks Europe, an adventurous tale of endurance and self-discovery.
An exhilarating journey into the wild nature of land and her own spirit; the survival of walking and wild camping in remote rural areas leads to a deep, grounded connection with the landscape and Ursula’s own body.
Pushing through fear and exhaustion, her limitations were tested as she grappled with the quest for home and belonging, realising how much she needs community and relationships, while pushing them away.