Rephonic
Artwork for Notes from Big Trails
Hiking
Scotland
Lake District
West Highland Way
Tour Du Mont Blanc
Big Trail Adventures
Alps
Tour De Mont Blanc
Italy
Peak District
South Downs Way
Wainwrights
Mont Blanc Massif
Outdoor Adventures
John Muir Trail
Alta Via 1
GR5
Cape Wrath Trail
Switzerland
Cumbria Way

Notes from Big Trails: Stories from Big Trail Adventures is a podcast about finding joy out on the trail. In each episode, we share stories from the people walking, running, and adventuring on the world's best long-distance trails. Sometimes it’s reflective, sometimes it’s funny — always grounded in the real highs and lows of life on the move.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes47Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & Travel

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Artwork for Notes from Big Trails

Latest Episodes

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 abov... more

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 ea... more

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 Genev... more

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 Willia... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Chris Townsend
Long-distance walker and writer
Independent writer and speaker
Episode: Chris Townsend on the GR5: No Huts and No Plan
Stephen Passmore
Painter and trekker who walked the Cape Wrath Trail in 31 days
Author of Painting the Trail, Cape Wrath
Episode: 31 Days on the Cape Wrath Trail
Jessica Mather
Guest sharing firsthand experience of the Dales Way
Hiker/Adventurer
Episode: Is The Dales Way Britain’s Best First Long-Distance Walk?
Wayne Russell
Adventurer who ran 5,000 miles around Britain
Independent adventurer
Episode: I Ran Around Britain With £1,000, a Tent... and the Kindness of Strangers
Jess Day
Walker who completed the Te Araroa Trail in four and a half months
Te Araroa Trail community / adventurer
Episode: I Needed a Reason to Quit - So I Ate All My Chocolate
Ryel Kestano
Traveler and trail photographer who walked the GR5 with his children
GR5 explorer, Big Trail Adventures collaborator
Episode: The GR5 — Walking It With My Kids, Year After Year
Briana Gervat
Walker, author of There Will Come Soft Rain
Author
Episode: Walking the Western Front Way: 500 Miles Through History
Pawel Cymbalista
Runner who set an FKT on the Rob Roy Way
Independent athlete
Episode: Running the Rob Roy Way - What You See, What You Miss
Nicola Whitbread
Walker who completed the Anglesey Coast Path solo
Self-described adventurer
Episode: Walking the Anglesey Coast Path Solo - Is It Really Magical?

Host

Rob
Host of Notes from Big Trails; guides conversations with guests and introduces topics across outdoor narratives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 7 ratings
  • Gentle enjoyable listen

    Listening to Rob talking to his guests is like someone chatting to his mates about trekking in the mountains. Makes me want to get out there!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    QueenFreestone
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Inspiring trail stories and great energy!

    Although early days for this channel it looks promising. Covers iconic trails and features experts in each one. The host really knows his subject and has great energy and empathy with the guests. Tight editing means a lot packed into 15-20 minutes. Listen to one and I’m sure you’ll want to get straight out on the trail!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    123; fgf
    United Kingdom9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans note the show inspires outdoor plans and emphasizes mental resilience on long trails.
Audience enjoys the blend of personal journeys with actionable trail advice and route-specific insights.
Production quality highlights tight editing and compelling storytelling across episodes.
Listeners praise the host's clear expertise and engaging vibe, making trekking stories feel like casual chats with friends.
Shows strong energy and well-curated guests, with concise episodes and practical planning tips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chris Townsend on the GR5: No Huts and No Plan
Q: You've walked so many trails over the years; what does a long walk give you that ordinary life doesn't?
It provides deep freedom and immersion in the natural world, turning long walks into a lifestyle rather than a temporary escape, and they shape a sense of completion and purpose.
Elise Downing on the Ridgeway: Britain's Oldest Road, in Three Days
Q: Why did you choose the Ridgeway for this trio's format after West Highland Way in 2018?
They reused a similar format with running and walking split to balance endurance and recovery, choosing a trail that was manageable yet long enough to be a memorable challenge.
Elise Downing on the Ridgeway: Britain's Oldest Road, in Three Days
Q: What would we see around us on day two?
Elise describes a mix of woodland and open landscapes, with Wendover Woods early on giving way to wide rolling hills and bridal ways as you approach the Ridgeway.
31 Days on the Cape Wrath Trail
Q: How did the painting integrate with the trek day-to-day?
Painting happened more by feel than schedule—in hostels, tents, or bothies—capturing micro-details or sweeping landscapes, and it became a way to distill the day's wonder into one scene.
31 Days on the Cape Wrath Trail
Q: What was your approach to pacing and staying flexible?
I planned around weeks and rest days, letting room for detours, climbs, and painting, rather than forcing a strict daily mileage target; it allowed me to adapt to weather and mood while keeping the creative practice intact.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Notes from Big Trails

What is Notes from Big Trails about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on long-distance trekking, trail culture, and the realities of endurance travel. Episodes blend practical planning tips, route-by-route storytelling, and personal reflections on mindset, motivation, and resilience gathered from hikers, runners, and outdoor writers. A recurring strength is its tight, dialogue-driven format that pairs a knowledgeable host with diverse guests—from solo trekkers and family adventures to authors and publishers—delivering actionable insights, vivid route anecdotes, and a steady sense of camaraderie on the trail. A standout quality is the mix of practical logistics (maps, gear, pacing) with introspective moments about happiness, burnout, and community along the world's best trails, making it usef... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Notes from Big Trails?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Notes from Big Trails:

1. Backcountry Banter
2. Scotland Outdoors
3. The Tea & Trails Podcast
4. The Adventure Podcast
5. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

How many episodes of Notes from Big Trails are there?

Notes from Big Trails launched 10 months ago and published 47 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Notes from Big Trails?

Recent guests on Notes from Big Trails include:

1. Chris Townsend
2. Stephen Passmore
3. Jessica Mather
4. Wayne Russell
5. Jess Day
6. Ryel Kestano
7. Briana Gervat
8. Pawel Cymbalista

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