by Big Trail Adventures // Rob Savin
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/5/2025
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June 12, 2026
<p>This week’s guest is Rick Clark.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>We talk about:</p><p>• Why the Pembrokeshire Coast Path feels different to other long-distance trails<br>• Walking 25–30 mile days with a loaded pack<br>• Sharing the opening days of the journey with his son<br>• Companionable silence and conversations that only seem to happen on trails<br>• First experiences of wild camping and learning systems as you go<br>• Finding places you would otherwise never stop in<br>• Water, feet and the surprisingly important role of foot cream<br>• How fitness doesn’t automatically translate into long-distance walking<br>• Wildlife, sunsets and sleeping beside the sea<br>• Why the end of a trail isn’t always the best part</p><p>Trail fact file:</p><p>The trail<br>The Pembrokeshire Coast Path</p><p>Distance<br>Around 186 miles / 300km</p><p>Start / Finish<br>Amroth → St Dogmaels (or reverse)</p><p>How long does it take?<br>Many walkers take around 10–15 days. Rick completed it in 7.</p><p>Terrain<br>Coastal trail with frequent climbs and descents, grassy cliff paths, beaches, occasional road sections and excellent waymarking.</p><p>Wild camping<br>Not officially permitted in most places — always check current guidance and follow leave-no-trace principles.</p><p>Enjoyed the episode? Follow Notes From Big Trails and leave a review — it really helps other listeners find the show.</p><p><br></p><p>Find more at <a href="bigtrailadventures.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">bigtrailadventures.com</a>.</p>
May 29, 2026
<p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>Along the way they talk about:</p><ul><li>Seeing Alpamayo emerge through cloud for the first time</li><li>Why the first three days nearly ended the trip</li><li>Sleeping above 4,000 metres</li><li>Meeting Quechua farming communities in the mountains</li><li>Condors, hummingbirds and collapsing glaciers</li><li>Carrying seven days of food through the Andes</li><li>What adventure teaches you about resilience and partnership</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Route Facts</strong></p><ul><li>Route: Alpamayo Circuit, Peru</li><li>Region: Cordillera Blanca, Andes</li><li>Distance: Approx. 120km</li><li>Duration: 7 days</li><li>Highest passes: Over 4,500 metres</li><li>Style: Self-supported wild camping</li><li>Resupply points: None</li><li>Direction walked: Anti-clockwise</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow & Support</strong></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review on your podcast platform of choice.</p><p><br></p><p>Get out on your own adventure - find out more at <a href="http://bigtrailadventures.com">bigtrailadventures.com</a>.</p><p><br></p>
May 22, 2026
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>About Elise Downing</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>What we talk about</strong></p><ul><li>The Ridgeway as a "gateway" first trail</li><li>Walking and running on Britain's oldest road</li><li>29 and 33 mile days, and how miles reframe themselves</li><li>The running-and-walking format, tried for the second time</li><li>The day-two overtake and the frosty reception</li><li>The empty Avebury Stone Circle at the end</li><li>A chance meeting on the trail</li></ul><p>If listening to this has got you thinking about your own adventure, head to <a href="https://bigtrailadventures.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">bigtrailadventures.com</a>.</p><p><br></p>
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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.
This podcast updates daily.
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