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.
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!
There's a lot to test when you're building a business.
In this episode Stephen Ross, founder of Big Trail Adventures talks us through his plans to test a new route, the latest version of the Big Trail Adventures app and some new tech.
In 2025 Kirsty Reade ran the Northern Traverse for the second time.
190 miles across England from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay in one go. Once the race starts, the clock doesn't stop.
In this episode Kirsty talks about the highs and lows of completing Wainwright's Coast to Coast trail in one go. The lack of sleep, new perspectives and how to look after your feet!
In July 2025 the organiser's at the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon faced a huge test.
The night before the event rain came down in torrents. Fields were cut in half by rivers that appeared from nowhere. The wind blew down critical infrastructure.
In this episode the organiser of the Saunders, Stephen Ross explains how he and his team not only managed to allow the race to go ahead but made it one of the most successful editions of the event ever.
