Notes from Big Trails

Fast-packing the Tour du Mont Blanc — twice The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe's classic long-distance trails, taking you through France, Italy and Switzerland around the Mont Blanc massif. Beth Langley has done it twice — both times in four days. The first time was in 2022, when she took on the TMB solo as a personal challenge. The second was in 2025, when she returned with her boyfriend Arthur to recce the route for the UTMB race. In this episode, we get into what it actually feels like to fast-pack the TMB rather than hike it over the more typical 10–12 days. Beth explains how she splits her time between power-hiking the climbs and running the descents, what it's like to spend up to 12 hours a day moving through the mountains, and how you keep yourself moving when you've still got a big climb ahead and your legs are already tired. We also talk about the unexpected pleasures of the TMB — including some excellent refuge food — and the joys of discovering that a second T-shirt is apparently unnecessary. But the conversation takes a more interesting turn when we compare Beth's two trips. Doing the TMB solo gave her a particular sense of achievement and self-reliance. She talks about how knowing she had set herself a difficult challenge and completed it gave her confidence that carried back into everyday life, including through the harder moments of her PhD. We also discuss the difference between racing and having an adventure, why the TMB is more accessible than its reputation might suggest, and why Beth would happily go back for a third time. What fast-packing the TMB actually looks like Power-hiking the climbs and running the descents Four days and some very long days on the trail Why the TMB isn't just for ultra runners The best views — and the moments that make you stop What Beth learned from doing the route solo The difference between fast-packing and racing Why doing something difficult on your own can build confidence French mountain food and the question of whether you really need a second T-shirt Would Beth do the TMB for a third time? If this episode leaves you thinking, I want to do that , you don't necessarily need to start with the Alps. Beth's advice is simple: get out into the mountains in the UK first. The Lake District and Scotland are a pretty good playground. Plan your own adventure at bigtrailadventures.com .

What would happen if you set off alone to walk the entire length of Europe? Kit Birks found out. She spent 343 days walking from Nordkapp in northern Norway to Gavdos, the southernmost point of Greece, covering more than 5,000 miles. She spent 308 days walking completely alone, often carrying around 20–23kg and sometimes going for days without seeing another person. But the walk wasn't simply an attempt to complete an enormous endurance challenge. Kit was using it to raise awareness of suicide prevention, drawing on her own experiences of mental illness, addiction and recovery. She wanted to turn advocacy into activism and use an adventure big enough to get people talking. In this episode, Kit talks about the reality of life on the trail: waking up alone in the Arctic, walking 20 miles a day, dealing with swollen rivers and knee-deep snow, and carrying a pack that could weigh 23kg. She also talks openly about loneliness and solitude, the terrifying moments when being alone became genuinely dangerous, and the point in Austria when her mental health deteriorated so badly that she stopped for three weeks and realised she needed help. Asking for that help, she says, was one of the bravest things she has ever done. And then there are the people she met along the way — strangers who offered food, water, shelter and companionship, including a German couple who drove to meet her and walked with her through Slovenia and Croatia with their four dogs. Kit also explains why she believes getting outside can help when you're struggling with your mental health. For her, walking doesn't magically cure anything. It gives the brain space to slow down and notice something beyond the negative thoughts — a bird, leaves moving in the wind, or simply the beauty of the world around you. It's an extraordinary story about walking across a continent. But ultimately, it's a conversation about fear, recovery, loneliness, resilience, kindness and what happens when an adventure becomes bigger than the person who set out to do it. See more from Kit at https://www.instagram.com/kitbirks/ and support Stride Beyond Silence here . To find out how to do your own solo adventure, head to https://bigtrailadventures.com/solo-friendly

Lisa Herbert took on Wainwright's Coast to Coast as a seven-day trail run. In this conversation we talk about why solo adventures can become life-changing, how grief reshaped Lisa's relationship with running, and why spending several days on a trail helped her find a sense of peace she'd struggled to find elsewhere. We also discuss: Why she chose the Coast to Coast as training for a 100-mile ultra. Running almost 200 miles in seven days. The brutal weather crossing the Lake District. Losing a trekking pole in a mountain stream. Why she never once wished she was back at work. The unexpected conversations with strangers along the trail. Why fitness isn't the biggest factor in completing a long-distance trail. What it really feels like to take on a big adventure alone. If you're considering walking or running the Coast to Coast yourself, Big Trail Adventures creates personalised self-guided itineraries, organises accommodation, luggage transfers and navigation, and helps you build a trip that matches the pace you want to travel. Find out more at bigtrailadventures.com.

What makes someone decide to run 400 miles around the Cornish coast? For Elsey Davis, the answer wasn't simply to chase a Fastest Known Time. After her mum was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's, she found herself looking for a way to channel grief into something positive. The result was an extraordinary six-day journey around the entire Cornish coastline, raising money, raising awareness, and discovering that some adventures change far more than your fitness. In this episode we talk about the planning behind the challenge, how her body coped with six consecutive days of huge mileage, why the inland section proved tougher than the coast, and the emotional finish alongside her mum at Land's End. It's a conversation about resilience, purpose and the remarkable things people can achieve when they have a powerful reason to keep moving.

The overnight camp at the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon must be one of the best places in the world. The shared stories from the day bring everyone together in a way that you don’t really experience in other areas of your life - getting lost in the cloud, the various degrees of ankle pain from contouring around hills and doing battle with tussocks, the happy realisation that there’s life beyond footpaths. It all adds up to the joy of spending time outside. We talk about: The best food to eat between Saunders days The difference that route choice can make on the hill The joy found in partners on the trail How the Saunders has become a family tradition that spans entire generations and ages. Love and loss and how people find connection on the hills. Follow & Support If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review on your podcast platform of choice. Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

What happens when a race stops feeling like competition and starts feeling like exploration? In this episode, Rob talks to trail runner and author Scott Williams about taking on the Swiss Peaks 360 — a multi-day ultra across the Swiss Alps involving huge climbs, sleep deprivation, technical mountain terrain and six days on the move. But this conversation goes well beyond racing. Scott shares why he keeps returning to difficult places, the surprising role of kindness and support, what happens when normal life falls away for a few days, and why adventure doesn’t need to be extreme to change us. We talk about: What the Swiss Peaks 360 actually involves Why Scott attempted it twice The extraordinary mountain landscapes that stayed with him Racing without rushing The people who carried him through difficult moments Unexpected challenges on the route (including one memorable bog) The “day five effect” and how time outdoors changes perception Bringing lessons from the trail back into everyday life Why you don’t need a 380km race to experience adventure Scott is also the author of Swimming Through Rocks . Follow & Support If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review on your podcast platform of choice. Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

This week’s guest is Rick Clark. Rick joins me to talk about walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path — a week-long journey covering around 186 miles of coastline from Amroth to St Dogmaels. Walking south to north, Rick covered big days carrying a full pack and wild camped for much of the route, balancing the practical challenges of water, recovery and finding camp spots with the simplicity that long-distance walking brings. We talk about: • Why the Pembrokeshire Coast Path feels different to other long-distance trails • Walking 25–30 mile days with a loaded pack • Sharing the opening days of the journey with his son • Companionable silence and conversations that only seem to happen on trails • First experiences of wild camping and learning systems as you go • Finding places you would otherwise never stop in • Water, feet and the surprisingly important role of foot cream • How fitness doesn’t automatically translate into long-distance walking • Wildlife, sunsets and sleeping beside the sea • Why the end of a trail isn’t always the best part Trail fact file: The trail The Pembrokeshire Coast Path Distance Around 186 miles / 300km Start / Finish Amroth → St Dogmaels (or reverse) How long does it take? Many walkers take around 10–15 days. Rick completed it in 7. Terrain Coastal trail with frequent climbs and descents, grassy cliff paths, beaches, occasional road sections and excellent waymarking. Wild camping Not officially permitted in most places — always check current guidance and follow leave-no-trace principles. Enjoyed the episode? Follow Notes From Big Trails and leave a review — it really helps other listeners find the show. Find more at bigtrailadventures.com .

In this episode, Rob speaks with Bodil Oudshoorn and Ross Brannigan about their seven-day journey on Peru’s Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca. Carrying around 16kg each — including a full week of food — they crossed multiple high passes above 4,500 metres, wild camped throughout the route and spent days without seeing another hiker. The conversation explores the realities of trekking at altitude, the logistics of self-supported travel, the impact of isolation, and the moments that stay with you long after the trip ends. Along the way they talk about: Seeing Alpamayo emerge through cloud for the first time Why the first three days nearly ended the trip Sleeping above 4,000 metres Meeting Quechua farming communities in the mountains Condors, hummingbirds and collapsing glaciers Carrying seven days of food through the Andes What adventure teaches you about resilience and partnership Route Facts Route: Alpamayo Circuit, Peru Region: Cordillera Blanca, Andes Distance: Approx. 120km Duration: 7 days Highest passes: Over 4,500 metres Style: Self-supported wild camping Resupply points: None Direction walked: Anti-clockwise Follow & Support If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review on your podcast platform of choice. Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

Elise Downing ran 87 miles of the Ridgeway in three days in 2020, between lockdowns, with her friend Sophie. Their two friends, Ange and Oscar, walked the same daily distances - the same format the four had tried on the West Highland Way two years earlier, when Ange and Oscar bailed after day two. We talk about why running suits the less-scenic sections, the feeling of walking an ancient road, a chance meeting on a footpath, finishing at an empty Avebury Stone Circle, and whether the running-and-walking format worked any better the second time round. About Elise Downing Elise is part of our team at Big Trail Adventures, where she runs our social media. She's also one of Britain's best-known long-distance runners. A few years before this trip she ran 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain on her own with her kit on her back. She's written about it in a book and a newsletter. What we talk about The Ridgeway as a "gateway" first trail Walking and running on Britain's oldest road 29 and 33 mile days, and how miles reframe themselves The running-and-walking format, tried for the second time The day-two overtake and the frosty reception The empty Avebury Stone Circle at the end A chance meeting on the trail If listening to this has got you thinking about your own adventure, head to bigtrailadventures.com .

Show notes Chris Townsend walked the Alpine section of the GR5 in autumn, as the mountain huts and village shops were closing for the season. He took about a month, slept under a tarp, and bought the food for his first week at a supermarket in Geneva train station before he started. We talk about the rhythm of a month-long walk, finding water in unfamiliar mountains, the surprise of the southern forests, and the strange business of walking out of the mountains and onto the beach at Nice. There's also a story about singing Italian waiters in a near-empty hotel and a tangent into Death Valley, which last we checked is nowhere near the GR5. About Chris Townsend Chris is one of Britain's most experienced long-distance walkers. He's been writing about backpacking and the outdoors for decades, including books on his walks across the USA, Scandinavia and the UK, and regular work for outdoor magazines and his blog. What we cover The two halves of the GR5: high alps in the north, rocky forested mountains in the south 1200 metres of ascent every day, and how to pace it Sleeping under a tarp rather than a tent Water and food planning when the season has ended The thunderstorm decision and the snow the next morning The sweet chestnut forests of the southern half The Italian-run hotel and the casual shopkeeper Walking into Nice with a rucksack and hill clothes Why a long walk feels different from a short one Links Chris's blog: https://www.christownsendoutdoors.com Chris's books: https://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/p/publications.html If listening to this has got you thinking about your own adventure, head to bigtrailadventures.com . Subscribe to Notes From Big Trails wherever you get your podcasts.

Most people tackle the Cape Wrath Trail as a challenge of endurance — covering big miles through some of the wildest terrain in the UK. Stephen Passmore took a different approach. In spring 2023, Stephen spent 31 days walking north from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Along the way he wild camped, stayed in bothies, carried painting supplies in his pack, and created a watercolour painting almost every day of the journey. In this episode we talk about: Walking the Cape Wrath Trail slowly Carrying a heavy pack for 31 days Bothy life in the Scottish Highlands River crossings and navigation Following spring north through Scotland What changes when you stop rushing through landscapes Stephen also shares stories from Torridon, Sandwood Bay, Knoydart and some of the quieter moments that stayed with him long after the trail ended. Links Stephen Passmore Book: Painting the Trail – Cape Wrath https://www.artpassmore.art/product/painting-the-trail-cape-wrath/3 Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

The Dales Way is often recommended as one of the best first long-distance walks in the UK — but that doesn’t mean it’s without challenge. In this episode of Notes From Big Trails, Rob speaks with Jessica Mather, who completed the trail in four days last summer — covering roughly 20 miles a day while camping along the route. Starting in Ilkley and finishing in Bowness-on-Windermere, Jess shares what it’s actually like to move quickly across the trail — from the open landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales to the familiar feeling of walking back towards home in the Lake District. Along the way they talk about planning a multi-day trip, choosing campsites, dealing with swollen feet and finding unexpected moments of trail magic. They also talk about why multi-day walks feel so different to day hikes — and why confidence matters more than experience when you're starting out. In this episode What the Dales Way is and why it’s so accessible Walking 80 miles in four days Camping along the route Following seven rivers through the Yorkshire Dales Swollen feet in the summer heat Trail magic honesty boxes The people you meet on long-distance trails Why finishing can feel strangely overwhelming Advice for first-time multi-day walkers About the trail Dales Way Distance: 80 miles / 129km Location: Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, England Terrain: riverside trails, farmland paths, rolling hills and villages Difficulty: moderate Best for: first-time multi-day walkers, experienced hikers wanting a shorter challenge, and anyone who likes pub stops with their adventure Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

Wayne Russell set out to run 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain with little more than a tent, £1,000, and a huge idea. What followed was ten months of sleeping in church porches, bus shelters, caves, strangers’ gardens and fire stations as he circled the entire British coastline. He began the run to raise money after losing his sister to a rare heart condition—but as he explains in this conversation, the journey became about far more than fundraising. We talk about: why he decided to do it shattering his ankle just before departure crying in a cave in Cornwall the strangers who helped him survive how Britain’s fire services became his accidental support crew the beauty of the Scottish Highlands why finishing felt strangely anticlimactic and why adventure is far more accessible than most people think This is a funny, moving and deeply honest conversation about grief, resilience, kindness and what happens when you decide to do something wildly ambitious before you feel fully ready. Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

Jess Day joins Notes From Big Trails to talk about walking the Te Araroa Trail — a 3,000km route stretching the full length of New Zealand. Walking solo over four and a half months, Jess shares what the experience actually felt like — from early nerves and self-doubt, through to trail family, unexpected kindness, and yes, the importance of chocolate. This isn’t just a story about distance. It’s about what happens to your mind when you’re out there for that long — and the small moments that end up meaning the most. In this episode, we cover: How Jess went from shorter UK trails to taking on Te Araroa The reality of walking 3,000km solo The mental challenge of long-distance hiking — including dealing with anxiety and PMDD on trail The contrast between the North and South Islands Extreme weather — from relentless sun to snow and freezing fog Trail family, shared hardship, and why people bond so quickly Trail angels and the kindness of strangers Why she ate all her chocolate — and why it was the right decision What finishing actually feels like (and why it’s not what you expect) Why you don’t need to do something huge to have a meaningful adventure Enjoy! Follow Jess Jess shares more of her adventures, reflections, and journey into long-distance hiking here: Instagram: @shoes_full_of_feet_ Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com .

The GR5 is one of Europe’s great long-distance trails — stretching nearly 1,500 miles from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. In this episode of Notes From Big Trails, Rob speaks with Ryel Kestano about walking the trail not in one go — but in stages, over several years, with his children. Starting when they were still young, Ryel introduced his kids to long-distance walking through shorter trips before committing to the GR5 — returning each summer to pick up where they left off. So far, they’ve covered nearly 1,000 miles — crossing the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and into France — moving gradually from flat northern landscapes into more remote and mountainous terrain. Along the way, the experience has become about far more than the trail itself. There are moments of challenge — getting lost, injuries, long days on tired legs — but also moments of connection: quiet miles in conversation, shared meals, small rituals, and the satisfaction of reaching the end of each stage together. It’s also a story about parenting — about giving children something difficult to take on, and watching their confidence grow as they realise they can do more than they thought. And perhaps most of all, it’s about time — the rare chance to spend long, uninterrupted days together, away from the distractions of everyday life. In this episode What the GR5 is and how it spans Europe Walking a long-distance trail in stages over multiple years Introducing children to multi-day hiking The rhythm of returning to a trail year after year How time on the trail changes family relationships Why doing hard things early in life matters About the trail GR5 (Grande Randonnée 5) Distance: ~1,500 miles / 2,500 km Location: Netherlands to France (North Sea to Mediterranean) Terrain: flat lowlands, forests, farmland, mountains and alpine terrain Difficulty: highly variable — increases significantly towards the Alps The GR5 is one of Europe’s classic long-distance routes — offering huge variety, from quiet northern landscapes to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Alps. See more from Ryel and his family at https://www.youtube.com/@ryel-kestano . Find out more about solo adventures at bigtrailadventures.com .

The South Hams Way is a newly launched 100-mile circular trail through South Devon — linking the South West Coast Path, Dartmoor, and a network of towns and countryside routes across the region. In this short episode of Notes From Big Trails, Rob speaks with Claire, who lives right on the trail and has been walking it in sections — often returning to familiar places and seeing them in a new way. Because the route is divided into ten manageable sections, it works just as well for short local walks as it does for a longer multi-day trip. Along the way, Claire talks about the rhythm of picking up a trail again and again, the small discoveries you make even close to home, and how the same stretch of path can feel completely different depending on the weather, the season, or simply the time of day. There’s no single standout moment — and that’s kind of the point. This is a trail made up of many small moments: a quiet beach, a stretch of moorland, a change in the light, or just the simple act of getting outside for a few hours. It’s also a reminder that you don’t always need to travel far to find something that feels like an adventure. In this episode What the South Hams Way is and how the route is structured Walking the trail in sections rather than all in one go Discovering new places close to home Coastal vs moorland sections — and personal favourites Practicalities: terrain, navigation, and accommodation The mental and physical benefits of simply getting outside About the trail South Hams Way Distance: ~100 miles / 160 km Location: South Devon, England Terrain: coastal paths, moorland, countryside tracks and small towns Difficulty: moderate — some steep coastal sections, but manageable in stages The South Hams Way is a new addition to the UK’s long-distance trails — designed to be flexible, accessible, and easy to break into sections, making it ideal for both visitors and locals. Find out more about solo adventures at bigtrailadventures.com . Find out more about Claire and her Woman On A Mission coaching at https://womanonamissioncoaching.com or follow Claire at https://www.instagram.com/claire_womanonamission/.

The Western Front Way is a 500-mile route tracing the line of the First World War — running from the Swiss border to the North Sea through France and Belgium. In this episode we talk to Briana Gervat, who has published a book about her experience on this trail - ⁠There Will Come Soft Rains⁠ . This conversation is about her solo journey along the entire route — a 36-day walk through one of the most historically charged landscapes in Europe. Camping along the way and carrying everything she needed, Briana experienced the full rhythm of life on the trail — from mountain paths in the Vosges to the vast battlefields of Verdun, the Somme, and beyond. But this is not a typical long-distance walk. Along the route, history is ever-present — in the form of trenches, bunkers, cemeteries, and villages that were never rebuilt. Briana describes these as “architectural ghosts” — reminders of lives lost, and stories that still linger in the landscape. There are moments of heaviness — walking through fog in Verdun, camping under the same skies soldiers once slept beneath, passing through quiet towns marked by memorials. But there are also moments of connection and light: sharing food with strangers, conversations in passing, standing in front of the cathedral at Amiens, and the simple rhythm of walking day after day. Beyond the practicalities of the walk, this episode explores something deeper — how we process history, how we find peace (or don’t), and what it means to walk through a place shaped by both destruction and renewal. In this episode What the Western Front Way is — and how it traces the line of WWI Walking 500 miles solo over 36 days The experience of solitude over a long-distance journey What it feels like to walk through landscapes shaped by war “Architectural ghosts” — and seeing what others might miss The emotional weight of places like Verdun Camping, daily rhythm, and managing the physical toll Encounters with people along the way The contrast between destruction and beauty Reflections on peace, history, and human nature About the trail Western Front Way Distance: ~500 miles / 800 km Location: France & Belgium (Swiss border to the North Sea) Terrain: mountains, forests, farmland, canals and lowland plains Difficulty: moderate physically, but significant due to length and emotional weight The Western Front Way is less a traditional hiking trail and more a journey through history — offering a unique way to experience the landscapes of the First World War and reflect on their lasting impact. Find out more about solo adventures at bigtrailadventures.com .

The Rob Roy Way cuts across the heart of Scotland — a quieter long-distance trail linking Drymen to Pitlochry through forests, glens, old railway lines, and the edges of big Highland lochs. In this episode of Notes From Big Trails, Rob speaks with Pawel Cymbalista — or Pav — who set a fastest known time on the route, covering the entire trail in a single push. Moving fast through a landscape most people take a week or more to walk, Pav experienced a very different version of the trail — one shaped by rhythm, focus, and constant forward motion. Along the way there are moments that still stand out: climbing through forest above Aberfeldy, the sound of water rushing through narrow gorges, the long stretch beside Loch Tay with Ben Lawers rising through the cloud… and one very human moment outside a bakery in Callander that nearly derailed the whole effort. Beyond the pace and the performance, this is a conversation about mindset — about stubbornness, self-reliance, and the quiet internal negotiation that happens when things start to hurt. And it’s also a reminder that this trail — like all of them — isn’t just for records. It’s a route to be walked slowly, taken in properly, and experienced in your own way. In this episode What the Rob Roy Way is really like underfoot — from forest tracks to old railway lines Why Pav chose the route and how the FKT idea took hold Preparing for a solo, unsupported effort Managing discomfort, fatigue, and doubt during the run The mental strategies that keep you moving when things get hard A navigational wobble, a stunning gorge, and a near-miss with a bakery How the trail changes as you move south towards Drymen Why this is a route worth doing at a slower pace What FKTs mean — and why they don’t always matter About the trail Distance: ~79 miles / 127 km Location: Central Scotland (Drymen to Pitlochry) Terrain: forest tracks, estate paths, quiet roads, old railway lines, lochside paths Difficulty: moderate — non-technical, but with steady climbing throughout The Rob Roy Way is one of Scotland’s lesser-known long-distance trails, offering a quieter alternative to routes like the West Highland Way — with fewer crowds, easier terrain, and a strong sense of journey through the landscape. Find out more about long-distance walking and running adventures at bigtrailadventures.com .

The Anglesey Coast Path circles the entire Isle of Anglesey — a 130-mile trail that traces one of the most varied and quietly beautiful coastlines in Wales. In this episode of Notes from Big Trails , Rob speaks with Nicola about her solo walk around the island — completed over two long weekends and mostly spent sleeping under the stars in a bivvy bag. Travelling light with a 4.3-kilogram base weight and no fixed itinerary, Nicola followed the rhythm of the trail: walking long days, camping wherever the landscape allowed, and letting the coastline dictate the pace. Along the way she discovered empty beaches, dramatic cliffs, ancient history, and unexpected wildlife encounters — from dolphins crossing a quiet bay to a weasel pausing in the road to stare her down. The Anglesey Coast Path proved to be one of the most peaceful sections of the Wales Coast Path Nicola has walked so far — a place where solitude, curiosity and the simple act of moving through the landscape combine into something quietly magical. Beyond the miles themselves, the conversation explores the deeper appeal of solo walking: the clarity it can bring to busy lives, the confidence that comes from solving small problems along the way, and the sense that wild places allow us to reconnect with a more natural way of thinking. What the Anglesey Coast Path is really like underfoot Walking the entire island solo over two long weekends Bivvy camping and travelling with an ultralight pack Wildlife encounters — from dolphins and seals to an inquisitive weasel Discovering hidden campsites along wild stretches of coastline Why long-distance solo walking can bring clarity and confidence The quiet magic that makes Anglesey feel different from other coastal trails Distance: ~130 miles / 210 km Location: Isle of Anglesey, North Wales Terrain: coastal paths, grassy cliffs, beaches and quiet country lanes Difficulty: moderate, with frequent short climbs along the coast The Anglesey Coast Path forms part of the Wales Coast Path , a continuous trail that follows the entire Welsh coastline. Because the route circles the island, it’s easy to start and finish in the same place — making it a popular choice for walkers looking for a self-contained coastal adventure. Anglesey is known for its wild beaches, historic sites and peaceful atmosphere , with highlights including South Stack cliffs, Newborough Forest, and countless quiet coves scattered along the coastline. For more information visit bigtrailadventures.com .

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of Britain’s most dramatic long-distance walks, stretching along the wild Atlantic edge of West Wales. In this episode of Notes From Big Trails , Rob speaks with Sophie McCarthy about her fifteen-day solo walk along the entire route. Carrying everything she needed on her back and camping along the way, Sophie experienced the full rhythm of life on the trail — from remote wild camps and windswept cliffs to small harbour towns and the occasional well-earned pub meal. Along the way she encountered wildflowers in full summer bloom, dramatic coastal scenery, seals in the sea… and one rather inquisitive badger that paid her tent a late-night visit. Beyond the practicalities of the walk, Sophie reflects on why she enjoys putting herself into challenging environments and how experiences like this can remind us that we’re capable of more than we think. In this episode What the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is really like underfoot Walking the entire trail solo over 15 days Campsites, wild camping and carrying a heavy pack Wildlife encounters along the Welsh coast The joys of small trail luxuries — from ice cream to harbour-side pubs Why long walks can change how you see your own capabilities About the trail Distance: ~186 miles / 300 km Location: West Wales Terrain: cliff paths, coastal grassland, beaches and rugged headlands Difficulty: moderate to challenging due to constant ascent and descent The trail forms part of the Wales Coast Path and is widely regarded as one of the finest coastal walks in Europe. Find out more about solo adventures at bigtrailadventures.com .