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.