Explore every episode of the podcast Waytrails

Having read 'McCrae's Battalion: The Story of the 16th Royal Scots' by Jack Alexander, Ross found his interest in the Western Front piqued. Researching the 'how' he might find out more, he came across the Western Front Way and the rest, as they say, is history.

An expert planner, Ross cycled from Dunkirk to Albert by bicycle on a journey of his own to understand more about the First World War, and critically to honour direct ties to his family who served at the front during the Great War.

Ross speaks eloquently on the 'why' it matters in the current age to make a journey like this, and even hints he will return in the near future to push further south along the trail to explore the narratives of different nations involved in the conflict.

A fabulous guest and a great conversationalist, a pod which touches on the past, the present and the future and a joy to record.

Join us this week on the pod as our host Rory talks to John Elkin who is in the detailed planning stage of taking on the Western Front Way next year by bike.

John was built to be a leader in the outdoor world with family ties, huge experience and a brilliant attitude to what it takes to lock in to the world of outdoor adventures.

With a career and viewpoint that leans into detail and committing to the task at hand, hear John talk us through how he plans, maps and engages with the terrain around him so he is in the best headspace when he sets off.

We also get to meet John's dog...briefly...with a bark or two. A great guest and essential for anyone else beginning their planning of a Waytrail.

The outdoors is...a big old world, but it can be daunting. So, how can we access it if this is our first time? How do we take that first step on a trail which can lead to so much good? Listen to the founders of Waytrails give you some pointers be you a beginner, intermediate or expert.

Kim and Rory chat about how they personally locked into the outdoors, which Waytrail is best depending on your level and plenty of hints and tips for you to take away including where to shop and how to meet other likeminded people.

Find out how to break down barriers to the outdoors, what to pack for a day hike, and crucially how to make the most of your time be it walking, running, long distance hiking or cycling.

Turns out, for the most part, all you need is a smartphone and a mindset.

See which trail is for you at; https://waytrails.com/

Need a place to start with gear? Try; https://www.blacks.co.uk/

Meet Mark who along with a couple of colleagues has just returned home having cycled the Western Front Way route from South to North, KM0 to Nieuwpoort. 

Mark gives amazing insights into what they saw, how to prepare and critically what to take away from such a place.

For those of you thinking, 'is the Western Front Way for me?' well, Mark gives you all the answers and more. A cracking guest and a joy to speak to.

We welcome Professor Andrew Stewart to the pod to talk Normandy Way, the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and so much more.

Andrew is a specialist in conflict, diplomacy and international relations with a specific writing focus on the Second World War. An established military historian, he has published more than 30 books, co-edited books, book chapters and peer-reviewed and magazine articles.

He is currently working on several projects including a co-authored book with Professor Ashley Jackson assessing the Second World War’s impact on the British Empire (to be published in 2024 by Oxford University Press) and a project examining the private papers of Field Marshal Lord Ironside.

He is a trustee for both the internationally renowned Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives and the Society for Military History. He has also supported a number of television and film projects and is currently the historical consultant for the internationally acclaimed ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’.

As if one city trail wasn't enough with London Way coming soon, hot on its heels is Paris Way.

Hear Kim and Rory take you round the Paris Way taking in the best known sights; Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower and also some lesser known cracking places to explore and adventure in to get underneath the skin of Paris.

Paris, done our way, done the best way, done in a day or over a weekend, its up to you.

Waytrails co-founders Rory and Kim went to the BANFF Film Festival UK tour this week and LOVED it. We take you through each film, pulling out some of the amazing themes that came up; adventure, a positive outlook, sports, challenge and pushing your limits. We are constantly striving to bring you excellent trails, but trails that will also bring out the best in you. Hit the link to find out more about BANFF.

https://www.banff-uk.com/films

Our first city trail, London Way, is coming soon, oh yes it is. A city hike of 20km taking in all the mighty capital has to offer. Join us as we take you round London Way along the Embankment, The City, Borough, Bermondsey, Lambeth, Royal Parks, Palaces and more.

London Way will automatically be in your Waytrails app in the coming weeks, just in time to plan for an entirely new way to see the Capital.

Normandy Way, the newest addition to Waytrails, takes you on a 300km cycle loop of Normandy. You'll experience the D-Day beaches, stories, insights and the history of this amazing place including Carentan, Bayeux and Caen.

Rory, Kim and the Waytrails team thought it was a good idea to run the entire 300km non-stop in what can only be described as a hurricane. Hear the stories, the adventures and what went right...and of course what went wrong.

Part 4 of 4 describing how to take on the Western Front Way, the 1000km trail the length of the First World War trench-lines, brought to you by Waytrails.

On this section we take you from Notre Dame de Lorette to Nieuwpoort Bad, the end is in sight. Belgium, Neuve Chapelle, the inspiration for the Western Front Way concept and some final thoughts of what to expect on this incomparable adventure.

Part 3 of 4 describing how to take on the Western Front Way, the 1000km trail the length of the First World War trench-lines, brought to you by Waytrails.

On this section we take you from Corbeny to Notre Dame de Lorette. The rivers section is a cracker, past the Armistice Carriage and hooking north towards the sea. The Somme, Albert, Arras, Vimy, a packed section for you to explore.

Part 2 of 4 describing how to take on the Western Front Way, the 1000km trail the length of the First World War trench-lines, brought to you by Waytrails.

Part 2 takes you from Pont-à-Mousson to Corbeny. Forests, hidden tombs and Verdun awaits.

You asked, we answered.

Part 1 of 4 describing how to take on the Western Front Way, the 1000km trail the length of the First World War trench-lines, brought to you by Waytrails.

We start in at the southern most point, by KM0, and take you north highlighting some of the amazing things you'll see, how to prepare and things to look out for. Enjoy and see you on the trails.

Welcome back to a new season, and a new name. Founders Rory and Kim introduce you to Waytrails, what it is and why there are more fantastic trails heading your way whether you hike, bike or run.

A different style for this pod and a great start to the new year. We dive deep into pilgrimage, its origins and its resonance and what it means with particular focus on the American involvement in the First World War. Heather is a world leader on this subject and it was a delight to chat.

Heather's bio is impressive to say the least; Heather A. Warfield is a professor in the School of Counseling, Psychology & Therapy at Antioch University. Dr. Warfield’s research is broadly aimed at exploring the psychological and therapeutic dimensions of pilgrimage journeys. Over the past several years, her investigative focus has narrowed to the historical and contemporary pilgrimages to the Western Front of World War I. During academic year 2022-2023, she was a Fulbright Research Scholar at the Université de Lille where her research examined post-WWI pilgrimages to Belleau, France (book forthcoming in 2025). Prof. Warfield is the project director for the Yankee Division Virtual Pilgrimage and an affiliated researcher of the Institut de Recherches Historiques de Septentrion at the Université de Lille. She is also the series editor of Pilgrimage Studies (Peter Lang Oxford). Earlier in 2023, her book Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Pilgrimage: Historical, Current and Future Direction was published.  

For our final pod of the year we have Peter Fiennes, one of the finest authors writing today. He tells us about his works, how he draws inspiration from place and his extraordinary connection to the Western Front. A joy to talk to, all his works are available through Oneworld Publications, I’d recommend you visit.

Having discovered the forgotten story of a 1919 epic bike race through the battlefields, Tom Isitt set out to discover all he could about this lost gem. As well as researching and riding the route, his brilliant book Riding the Zone Rouge is a cracking read. Hear Tom tell us more about it, the Italian Front and why a bike is the best way to see the trails.

Just one week ago Kev was completing the WFW trails, shattering the fastest known time. Kev’s story is an extraordinary one. Hear why he took on the trail, what his motivations are and why seizing the moment truly is all important. A real pleasure to interview Kev.

Change of pace this week on Hike Bike Run. Lots of you have been in touch asking what you will see on the trails, the views, the history and some stories.

With Part 1 of 3 we start in the very south taking in KM0, Munster, the 'Man-Eater' mountain, Du Ligne and how the French Army fed itself in the First World War.

Billy Perham served with the British Armed Forces for over 30 years enjoying a stellar career which saw him deployed to some of the most dangerous places on the planet. Here how the values he learnt as a Royal Marines Commando have stayed with him, and how he will use them when he takes on the 1000km Western Front Way bike trail. Billy, along with the other riders are raising funds for the Lewis Moody Foundation, ensuring those with brain tumours and their families can get the support they need. A fantastic listen and a great guest.

Meet Joan who having emailed me and said she was on the Western Front Way, we just had to chat. Find out her reasons for walking, the amazing tradition she has before every walk and why she is on the Western Front Way now. Loved speaking to Joan, a cracking guest.

Meet Blind Dave with a CV of challenges unlike any other. A fascinating chat with a cracking guy, soon to undergo knee surgery but after that is taking on the WFW trails on a tandem bike. #hikebikerun #westernfrontway

Meet Georgia who runs Freedom Trails with Richard Mayon-White. Freedom-Trails are providing the logistics for the Lewis Moody ride along the Western Front Way in October 2023 and are official partners of the WFW. Georgia was one of the recce team from May 2022, a GB athlete and all round legend. Hear why it matters, how the WFW can bring peace and an extraordinary coincidence with family history.

Just back from a trip on the Western Front Way with friends, Si is full of tips, tricks and advice on the trails. Great discussions on how we look at commemoration in a modern world and amazingly, a recently discovered family story that links directly to the First World War.

Levison Wood, a byword for modern adventure is on the pod. Author of bestselling books, star of critically acclaimed documentaries and a bonafide worldwide explorer talks to us about modern commemoration, why walking is good for all and his memories of the forces. #hikebikerun #westernfrontway

Brianna Gervat took on the trails last year, walking from south to north on an epic pilgrimage and adventure. Hear of her experiences, why a resident of South Georgia felt the pull of the Western Front Way and made the journey. We talk about motivations, the harder parts of the trails and the innumerable high spots. #hikebikerun #westernfrontway

Hear renowned journalist and author Tom Heap talk of his great uncle, Alexander Douglas Gillespie, who conceptualised the Western Front Way in 1915 from the trenches. Tom talks about his own adventure along the trails and what he sees the WFW becoming in the future. #hikebikerun #westernfrontway

The person who started it all and the first to walk the whole length. We talk The Path of Peace, what the WFW stands for and what it can bring to the world. #westernfrontway #hikebikerun

We talk sport, personal connections to the Western Front and The Lewis Moody Foundation. Lewis Moody, England Rugby World Cup Winner and British & Irish Lion speaks about why the First World War resonates and what inspired him to take on the trail in October. #westernfrontway #hikebike run

Find out about our logistics partners Freedom Trails, what inspires Richard and some memories from the trails. With deep personal connection to the First World War and overseeing many of the events that happen on the Western Front Way, its an inspirational insight to get you on the routes #westernfrontway #hikebike run