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

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.