SOLVED. YA Fantasy book about an ugly(?) girl awakening in a dead forest in winter who goes on a journey on foot to discover her identity. Set in medieval time period. Read in late 90's-early 2000's. Most identifying details in the Spoilers in my comments.

[Jennifer]

Apologies if these events are out of order or a bit misremembered!



I believe after she attends a fertility/harvest fair in a town? She realizes she is mother nature/the embodiment of the seasons (like a seasonal version of the Crone/Mother/Maiden) and in forgetting herself she led to unending droughts and an especially bad winter (hence her haggard appearance). In remembering she joyfully races across the land with flowers growing in her steps and trees blooming and fruiting, ending her run in fields of grain swaying in the breeze. Over the course of her run she brought spring and summer back and shed her cloak and decrepit looks. I think she reflects the seasons or people's belief? Because she had flowers falling from her hair in spring and golden wheat trailing from it in summer/fall. Even the new winter was healthier by the end, serving it's purpose as a transition and rest period, not a harsh punishment killing life.

[Jennifer]

Just solved already! After writing all of that out. I looked up the details about her hair and found the title. Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood by Meredith Ann Pierce. I think I got the "ugly" and dead forest details from blurring this with Green Heart by Alice Hoffman a bit. (Also a banger btw)

Brown Hannah is a healer in the Tanglewood with a unique ability. One day she finally confronts the magician holding her captive in the woods and she begins to change with her bravery and journey out of the Tanglewood she's called her home and her prison.

[Rainbowheart]

Good news, glad you found it!