About

We are a team of guidebook authors and editors, cartographers, race planners and app developers.

We've spent our lifetimes running, walking and hiking the best long distance trails, with friends and with our children.

Sometimes we go fast and run through the night to get the trail finished but most times we just take our time and enjoy the views, food and drink along the way.

We love adventure hiking, saving money and being self-sufficient!

Stephen

Stephen discovered his passion for long-distance trails nearly 30 years ago when he first walked the West Highland Way with brother Richard.

Since then, he has walked and run thousands of miles, capturing his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm in three bestselling guidebooks—the acclaimed Big Trails series published by the UK’s leading outdoor publisher.

In addition to his writing, Stephen organises an annual two-day mountain marathon in the Lake District, renowned for demanding the highest standards in route planning and navigation.

His personal adventures have seen him complete shorter trails, such as the Cumbria Way and Dales Way, each tackled in a single continuous effort.

However, his most cherished memories come from exploring classic Alpine routes, point-to-point, alongside his young family.

Stephen, along with the entire Big Trails Adventures team, also brings unmatched expertise in leveraging cutting-edge technology through their collaborative development of Skamper, an innovative running app celebrated for featuring Britain’s best curated routes.

Rob

Rob spends his life in two states:

1. On the trail

2. Wishing he was on the trail

He has worked in the outdoor industry for years and years, helping to equip people with the best gear, knowledge and inspiration for their adventures.

By foot or one two wheels, Rob is happy - he's ridden the Transcontinental Race and run the Spine Challenger.

He lives in the Peak District with his family.

Generally outside!

Kirsty

Kirsty is a runner who enjoys longer distances, including multi-day trails. She lives in Cumbria for the running and the views.

She is the commissioning editor for Vertebrate Publishing, the award-winning publisher of many bestselling guidebooks.

Richard

Richard is a cartographer with a deep appreciation for long-distance trails, both on foot and by bike.

He has studied and mapped official walking routes, ensuring they are accurately represented, and has designed multi-day cycling journeys, combining technical expertise with hands-on experience.


Beyond mapping, Richard has walked The West Highland Way, taken part in long distance mountain challenges and participated in multi-day cycling trips.

These experiences have reinforced what maps alone cannot capture—the changing landscapes, the rhythm of the journey, and the satisfaction of completing a well-planned route.