Estes Park Studio Brings Forest-Bathing Walks to Wellness Menu

Timberline Wellness Studio has added guided forest-bathing walks to its service menu, leading small groups along trails near Rocky Mountain National Park as a complement to its existing indoor massage and skincare offerings.

Studio founder Anja Petrov trained in the practice, which emphasizes slow, sensory-focused walks rather than hiking for exercise, after noticing a growing number of clients asking about nature-based wellness options during consultations. "People come to Estes Park for the mountains," she said. "It made sense to build a service that actually uses them, instead of keeping everything indoors."

A Slower, Guided Format

Unlike a standard guided hike, Timberline's forest-bathing sessions cap group size at six participants and run for roughly two hours over a short distance, with guides prompting pauses for breathing exercises and sensory observation rather than covering significant trail mileage. Petrov says the format has required training staff specifically in the practice's guiding techniques, since it differs meaningfully from typical outdoor recreation instruction.

The walks have become a popular add-on for visitors already booking massage or facial treatments, with many clients scheduling a walk followed by an indoor treatment on the same day. Petrov says the pairing has increased average spending per visit compared to clients who book indoor treatments alone.

Navigating a Seasonal, Weather-Dependent Offering

Because the walks depend on trail access and weather conditions, Timberline has built flexible rescheduling policies specifically for the forest-bathing sessions, distinct from its indoor treatment cancellation rules. Petrov says the studio pauses outdoor sessions during the snowiest winter months, shifting instead to an indoor sensory relaxation session that mimics some elements of the outdoor format.

She's now in talks with the National Park Service about permitting requirements for expanding group sizes, though she says she's committed to keeping the walks small regardless of demand, citing the intimacy of smaller groups as central to the experience.