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.

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.

In this conversation, Jennifer Stevens shares her experiences hiking the Great Glen Way in Scotland, discussing the trail's accessibility, the beauty of nature, and the challenges faced along the way.

She reflects on her happiest moments, the difficulties of wild camping, and the interesting people she met during her journey.

Jennifer emphasizes the importance of solitude and independence in wild camping, while also highlighting the kindness of strangers and the stunning views that make the trail special. She offers practical tips for first-time hikers and wild campers, encouraging others to embrace the adventure with an open mind.

Watch Jennifer on her YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TinyPineOutdoors

Or find Jennifer on Facebook. "Just search for Jennifer Stevens and you'll find me", says Jennifer.

What does it take to complete the Tour du Mont Blanc 60 times? In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author and International Mountain Guide Kingley Jones, who knows this iconic trail better than almost anyone.

We talk about what makes the TMB so special, Kingley’s favourite huts, the people he’s met along the way, and his tips for anyone planning to take it on themselves. If you’ve ever dreamed of walking the TMB — or you’re already counting down the days to your trip — this conversation will inspire and prepare you.

Here's a link to Kingley's Tour Du Mont Blanc guidebook — a great read whether you’re in planning mode or just love a good mountain story: https://kingsleyjones.com/tour-du-mont-blanc/

Stephen Ross, founder of Big Trail Adventures spent a week in the Lakes testing four things:

1. A new route that connects 35 Wainwrights in the Eastern Fells in a continuous loop.

2. A new version of the Big Trail Adventures App

3. Some new tech - how to keep his devices charged

4. His fitness!

In this episode, Stephen tells us how all that testing went. It's not just an insight into walking the Wainwrights, it's an honest take on what it takes to build a serious app for the outdoors.

A story from Sarah and Ros who walked the South Downs Way in summer, 2025.

We hear about what makes the trail so popular, where to stay and Sarah and Ros's favourite kit from their week of walking.

A huge bonus from this episode is advice on how to pack for this trip without having to spend weeks in the gym lifting weights to prepare for hauling a heavy bag around!