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.