In this episode, Rob sits down with Jennifer Stevens (Tiny Pine Outdoors) to discuss her solo journey across the Cotswold Way in the summer of 2024. Stretching 102 miles from Chipping Campden to the Roman city of Bath , the trail offers a unique blend of "picture-postcard" scenery and deep, ancient history.
Key Discussion Points:
The Reality of the Terrain: Why the "gentle rolling hills" can be more physically demanding than you think.
Historical Immersion: Engaging with Neolithic long barrows, 17th-century market halls, and even the local tradition of "shin-kicking".
Solo Hiking & Safety: Jennifer’s experience navigating the trail solo and using public transport to reach the start.
Accommodation: Why Jennifer opted for Shepherd’s huts and camping pods over wild camping on this specific route.
Trail Magic: A magical sunset in a field of friendly sheep and the "otherworldly" silence of Stanton.
Advice for Beginners: Why the Cotswold Way is the perfect entry point for multi-day hiking.
Links Mentioned:
Watch Jennifer’s journey on the Tiny Pine Outdoors YouTube channel.
Do this trip for yourself at Big Trail Adventures
Hannah Campbell set out to run a long section of the Munich-to-Venice trail — known as Der Traumpfad, or The Dreamway — travelling solo from the Bavarian Alps, through Austria, and into the Italian Dolomites.
Over 15 days, Hannah covered around 450km, averaging roughly 30km per day, staying almost exclusively in mountain huts and carrying everything she needed in a 20-litre pack.
What she expected to be a late-summer journey turned into something very different, with early snow, freezing temperatures, and days spent navigating deep alpine conditions.
In this episode, we talk about:
* Why Hannah chose the Munich-to-Dolomites route* What the first few kilometres felt like — and how quickly conditions changed* How the landscape, culture and hut life shifted as she moved east* Life in mountain huts: shared meals, late arrivals* Dealing with snow and weather delays* Carrying minimal kit — and the one non-outdoor item she wouldn’t be without* Being told repeatedly that what she was doing was “irresponsible” — and trusting her own judgement* The strange sensory overload of finishing the run and stepping straight into Venice* Why this journey mattered to her personally, without defining her by it
This is a grounded, thoughtful conversation about long solo journeys — not as endurance spectacles, but as lived experiences shaped by weather, people, rhythm and perspective.
In this episode of Notes from Big Trails, Rob speaks with Mel Sykes about completing the winter Spine Race — a 268-mile, non-stop race along the Pennine Way in January.
Mel talks about:
What makes the winter Spine fundamentally different from long summer ultras
Moving for days in darkness and learning to manage sleep deprivation
Hallucinations, emotional swings, and the strange logic of extreme fatigue
The Pennine Way as a place — hostile, boring, beautiful, and absorbing
Small acts of kindness that land differently when you’re exhausted
Why reaching Hadrian’s Wall and Cross Fell mattered so much
The reality of finishing: relief, exhaustion, and delayed pride
What events like this teach you — and what they’re often misunderstood to be about
This is a conversation about endurance, attention, and keeping going.
Read more about Mel's Spine Race here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gz2e12387o
https://www.baldhiker.com/the-spine-race-adventures/
Plan your own recce with Big Trail Adventures.
In this episode we talk to Richard Newsome — Mountain Bothies Association volunteer, responsible for Rohoish Bothy and involved in wider MBA work across the West Highland Way.
What we cover:
Why bothies create such a strong emotional pull for walkers
What actually happens on a maintenance visit
The strangest things Richard has found behind a bothy door
Vandalism, rubbish, winter conditions — and why none of it has put him off
Memorable nights: Burns Night in a bothy and strangers who become friends
The story of how the West Highland Way led Richard to move to Scotland and meet his wife
The one thing every first-time bothy visitor should know
Mentioned:
Rowchoish Bothy
Strathcailleach (Cape Wrath)
Greg’s Hut (Cross Fell, Pennine Way)
Mountain Bothies Association (MBA)
A father and son take on the Alpine Crossing of the E5 — the section that starts in Germany, crosses Austria, and finishes in Italy. It’s six days of demanding terrain, high passes, long descents and huge scenery. In this conversation, Andy and Scott talk through:
What the E5 actually is (and why most people only walk the Alpine bit)
Their tough but brilliant first two days: steep climbs, vast snowfields, and the famous Zams Gorge
Staying in the Bella Vista refuge and crossing into Italy on foot
Their favourite moment on the whole route – a narrow ridge on day two with a 360° view of the Alps
Trail:
The E5 Alpine Crossing — a 120–200 km (depending how many cable cars/buses you dodge) high-level route from Oberstdorf in Germany to Vernagt/Vernago in Italy, crossing deep valleys, snowfields, exposed gorges and Tyrolean villages.
Rob chats with adventurer and writer Elise Downing and her dad Dave about their five-day trip around the Tour des Fiz, a quiet alpine loop near Chamonix. They talk about choosing this as Dave’s first big outing after hip surgery, the joy of slower days, navigating tiny French huts, run-ins with sheepdogs, gear they always carry, and why this lesser-known trail is such a good entry point for hut-to-hut hiking.
What We Cover
In this episode Rob talks to Juls Stodel, a trustee for the Mountain Bothies Association.
It's a rich conversation. Here's what we cover.
How finishing the Wales Coast Path led to giving up her flat and starting a 15-month journey through Britain’s bothies
Why she avoided a “pure foot” approach and mixed walking with hitchhiking and buses to prioritise experience over mileage
The postcard system she invented — and the unexpected friendship it sparked with a stranger from Skye
A chaotic three-day slog to Greg’s Hut involving a £9 children’s sled, deep snow, fog and type-two fun at its finest
What a typical bothy night actually feels like, from quiet evenings to 2am arrivals
The emotional comfort of seeing a gable end after a brutal day in the weather
How bothies preserve the history of ordinary people — crofters, workers, families — and why that matters
The role of the Mountain Bothies Association and the unseen work involved in keeping the doors open for everyone
The Bothy Code, and why litter is currently the biggest threat to the system
Small kindnesses and unforgettable encounters: stew-carrying ex-army lads, shared candles, and strangers becoming lifelong friends
The thin line between adventure and exhaustion — and how to tell whether you're being brave or being stupid
Living out of a backpack for years, and how it changes your sense of what “stuff” really matters
Schizophrenia, survival, and the deeper emotional journey behind choosing a life of simplicity and meaning outdoors
Advice for your first bothy: where to go, what to bring, and how to ease into it with confidence
Juls’ favourite bothy of all — the magical Guìrdil on the Isle of Rùm
Find out more at https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk
In this episode of the podcast, Rob talks to Andy Dickson about his Glimpse of Everest trek in Nepal – a condensed Everest Base Camp route that stops at Tengboche Monastery, giving you that first clear view of Everest without pushing further into the highest, most committing part of the trail.
Andy talks about juggling a demanding career in financial services with a deep pull towards the mountains, and what it meant to finally scratch the Everest itch with his wife and youngest son.
We cover everything from the sensory overload of Kathmandu to the slow, careful climb through tea houses, an altitude scare, and a freezing night at almost 4,500 metres. And then there’s the moment it all comes together: standing in fresh snow at dawn, prayer flags crossing the foreground, watching the very first light touch the summit of Everest.
It’s an honest look at high-altitude trekking, family adventure, and why you probably shouldn’t wait until you’re retired to do the big trips.
In this Episode we talk to Sara — travel designer, long-distance walker, and creator of the Instagram account The Last Invaders - about her West Highland Way adventure.
What drew her from Italy to the West Highland Way
Planning mistakes, last-minute fixes, and the realities of walking 20km a day
How the weather turned out nothing like she hoped
The proposal on the edge of Loch Lomond
What it’s like to walk a big trail with your partner
Baggage transfer vs carrying everything yourself
Food, midges, favourite sections, and unexpected quietness on the trail
Scottish hospitality and the joy of tiny bed-and-breakfast conversations
What she’d do differently — and why she’d walk it again tomorrow
In this episode Al and Richard talk about their adventure on the GR221 in Mallorca. They definitely wanted this trail to feel like holiday so they gave themselves time each day to finish in time for an unhurried cold drink in the evening.
Hear about what they packed, what they saw and how they changed their approach to walking after seeing how the locals took on the trails.
Today’s guest is Craig Dickson, a keen hiker who’s completed long-distance routes all over Europe — from the West Highland Way and Alta Via 1 to the Tour du Mont Blanc. But in this episode, he takes us to Switzerland and Italy for something a little different: the Tour of the Matterhorn, often mistaken for the Haute Route.
In this episode:
Craig explains how the Tour of the Matterhorn compares to the better-known Haute Route.
Why the first day felt like walking through a movie — wildflower meadows, glaciers, and perfect weather.
The terrifying second day when a thunderstorm forced them to take refuge under a boulder.
What life’s really like in Alpine huts — from shared dorms to cheese sandwiches.
The moment they turned a corner and saw the Matterhorn reappear at the end of their loop.
Why Craig calls this route “Europe’s hidden gem” and who it’s best suited for.
ennifer Stevens joins Rob to talk about her six-day walk along the Cumbria Way, one of England’s most scenic and accessible long-distance trails. She first walked it in 2021 and couldn’t resist returning — this time swapping wild camping for cosy farm stays and shepherd’s huts.
They discuss:
Why the Cumbria Way keeps calling her back
The mix of remote valleys and quiet villages
Her favourite overnight stays (including one that smelled of rhubarb)
How the Big Trail Adventures app made planning effortless
What she packs for a six-day trail
Whether she misses wild camping
And what makes the Lake District feel so uniquely “Cumbrian”
Jennifer’s warmth and attention to the small details — from sheepdogs to shepherd’s huts — make this an inspiring listen for anyone planning their first long-distance trail.
🎥 Jennifer Stevens / Tiny Pine Outdoors: YouTube
🗺️ Plan your own Cumbria Way adventure: bigtrailadventures.com
📱 Follow Big Trail Adventures on Instagram: @bigtrailadventures
Author and ultra-runner Ally Beaven swaps mountain races for mountain passes, walking the legendary John Muir Trail with his partner Karen. Over 340 kilometres and two weeks, they cross high passes, navigate wilderness logistics, and rediscover the joy of moving slowly.
We cover:
What makes the John Muir Trail so special
Why permits and planning shaped their whole adventure
How two people share life on the trail (including pre-dug cat holes)
Bears, altitude, and the art of keeping things light
Effort vs enjoyment — and why the JMT reminded Ally that “less effort can mean more joy”
What’s next on his adventure list
The Cape Wrath Trail is a name that makes seasoned hikers raise an eyebrow. It’s 350km of wild terrain from Fort William to the far northwest tip of Scotland — much of it without a clear path.
In this episode, Magnus Ross joins us just five days after completing it. He talks about:
What it’s really like to walk the UK’s hardest trail
The long days of solitude and how they changed how he thinks about adventure
Why bothies are magical (but why camping is Magnus's favourite way to spend a night)
How to plan, pack, and prepare for a remote multi-day hike
Whether you’re dreaming of Cape Wrath or just love hearing about big adventures in wild places, this one’s full of inspiration and hard-earned insight.
🎧 Listen now — and don’t forget, get 20% off your own adventure at bigtrailadventures.com with the code TRAILS20.
The Alta Via 1 in Italy’s Dolomites is one of Europe’s classic long-distance trails — about 120km of steep climbs, rocky passes, and unforgettable mountain huts.
In this episode, I talk with Marijke, who travelled from Montana to hike the trail with her best friend. Over long days and big climbs they shared laughter, grappa, and the sheer awe of the Dolomites.
Marijke also brings a deeper perspective. Two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer, and now well into her recovery she reflects on how adventures like this aren’t just about the miles — they’re about taking opportunities, sharing them with people you love, and feeling privileged to be out there at all.
The audio is more phone call than studio, but her story shines through: practical tips for anyone planning the Alta Via 1, and an honest reminder of why we go to the mountains in the first place.
In this episode, Rob talks with Jennifer Stevens, creator of the Tiny Pine Outdoors YouTube channel, about her very first long-distance hike: the West Highland Way in Scotland.
Jennifer hiked the 96-mile route in 2020, taking ten days to walk from Milngavie to Fort William. Along the way she:
Faced the infamous Devil’s Staircase with a heavy pack
Wild camped in stunning spots and stayed in bothies by the lochs
Discovered the warmth and community of fellow hikers
Filmed her journey and learned how carrying a camera changes the experience
Found joy in small details — from the scent of pine woods to the sound of rivers at camp
She also shares what she would do differently if she walked it again, and her advice for anyone planning their own West Highland Way adventure.
Links and resources
Jennifer’s channel: Tiny Pine Outdoors on YouTube
More about the West Highland Way: westhighlandway.org
Plan your own adventure with Big Trail Adventures: bigtrailadventures.com
In this episode I talk with Martyn Howe, author of Tales from the Big Trails. Martyn set out to walk every one of the UK’s national trails — a journey that took him from the wild coastlines of Pembrokeshire to the vast openness of the Pennine Way and the remoteness of the Southern Upland Way.
We talk about:
The rhythm of trail life and why its simplicity is so powerful
The moments of awe (and the soggy sandwiches) that come with long days on the path
Homesickness, resilience, and what to do when you hit a low point
The surprising role of stiff hips in causing blisters — and how Martyn fixed it
How technology has changed the way we plan and record adventures
The people, characters, and even a three-legged dog that brought joy along the way
His upcoming book The Coast is Our Compass, about walking the English Coast Path
Martyn’s reflections on walking, writing, and the way landscape changes us are inspiring and thought-provoking — whether you’re planning your first trail or your fiftieth.
Links and resources
Tales from the Big Trails by Martyn Howe
Martyn’s digital maps: trailplanner.co.uk
Follow Big Trail Adventures: bigtrailadventures.com
In this episode, I talk with Bodil Outshoorn — Product Manager at On Running for the Elite Footwear Programme, PhD in shoe grip, and passionate long-distance adventurer.
Bodil and a friend ran the Via Egnatia, an ancient Roman road running 500km from Albania to Greece. They covered it in just 12 days, averaging a marathon a day through mud, mountains, and border towns.
Along the way they discovered remarkable hospitality, historic cobblestones, semi-feral dogs, and a surprising amount of 7-Eleven croissants.
We dive into:
What it’s like to run a Roman road across three countries
Coping with food, logistics and winter weather
How Haribo (and friendship) can get you through injury
The moments of history and hospitality that made the trail unforgettable
And as someone who has cycled across Albania myself, I can vouch for those croissants — they do keep you going when nothing else is on offer!
Join us as we discuss the Alps and the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc — the 170km loop around the Mont Blanc massif and one of the most popular trails in the world.
I’m joined by Ian and Emily from TMBtrailguide.com, who’ve been helping hikers for over eight years with their camping guides and consultations. Based in Boulder, Colorado, they first hiked the route in 2017 and have returned many times since.
We talk about the sounds and smells that stay with you on the trail, what it’s really like moving from hut to hut, and the unexpected items they recommend packing for your trip.
If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc — or just want a taste of life on Europe’s most iconic trail — this episode is for you.
Simon Oxley spent 23 days on the Sierra High Route — a 195-mile trek through California’s Sierra Nevada that’s as demanding as it is spectacular.
Known as one of the toughest trails in North America, the route weaves across Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia–Kings Canyon, with over half of it completely off-trail.
Simon shares what it’s like to travel through such remote wilderness, how off-trail hiking changes everything from where you sleep to what you carry, and what the experience feels like day after day.
Whether you’re curious about the Sierra High Route or just love stories of wilderness adventure, this episode has plenty of insight and inspiration.