Walking Post

Tiffany Jones is a US-based walker, writer, and former teacher from Maine, who now lives in Florida.After losing her parents to cancer, and then being diagnosed with the disease herself, Jones raised the funds to take on an epic Kilimanjaro climb. The adventure took a turn close to the top – and you’ll have to listen to the podcast to discover what unfolded.The trip inspired the creation of a non-profit company Patchworks, a project aimed at building and improving schools in Tanzania.She has written three books, including Couch to Kilimanjaro: A Mountain Story of Transformation, Purpose and Adventure. It is available through amazon.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Ken Posner is an American ultrarunner and author based in New York. He set a fastest known time on the Long Path, a 350‑mile route from New York City to Albany.He is the author of Running the Long Path, which documents the trail, its history, and his record attempt. Posner has also written Chasing the Grid, a book about climbing the Catskill Mountains in each month, requiring more than 400 ascents.He is also known for his barefoot running and hiking exploits, which can be found here.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, we have a conversation with Jason Lennox, who did a marathon hike in the US of more than 500 miles to raise funds for his One Arrow Foundation, and awareness about mental health, substance use and suicide. This year, he will undertake a 1,776-mile hike around the perimeter of Minnesota.One Arrow FoundationJason Lennox chairs the One Arrow Foundation, a charity that supports recovery from addiction through outdoor adventure and community initiatives. The foundation emphasises wilderness therapy and personal transformation, drawing on Lennox's own experiences in recovery and leadership to create structured programmes that combine physical challenge with emotional healing.Lennox recently launched The Recovery Road, a new long-distance walking trail designed specifically for those rebuilding their lives after addiction. The route integrates therapeutic waypoints, peer support stations, and nature-based milestones to foster resilience and connection, offering participants a literal path to sustained recovery while raising awareness about addiction's impact across communities.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, we have a conversation with Jon Bunning, co-founder of Treekly, about the app that tracks steps and turns them into trees.TreeklyOperating as a social enterprise, Treekly is a digital platform that converts physical movement into reforestation efforts. The app encourages users to maintain a "Treekly streak" by walking at least 5,000 steps a day; once a streak is established, the company facilitates the planting of a mangrove tree in a climate-vulnerable region. The initiative is designed to tackle two issues simultaneously: the sedentary nature of modern life and the ongoing requirement for scalable carbon sequestration through natural means.The platform functions by integrating with existing health and fitness trackers to verify activity. While accessible to individual walkers, a significant portion of the company’s growth stems from its corporate wellness programmes. Businesses use the platform to incentivise employee activity, providing a tangible environmental output—measured in trees planted—as a reward for collective health milestones. The social aspect of the app allows users to form "forests" or leagues, fostering competition amongst hiking groups and local communities.In January 2026, the company announced it had surpassed a significant milestone of 1 million trees planted across its sites in Madagascar, Kenya, and Indonesia. This update coincided with a new partnership with a European reforestation collective to begin planting native broadleaf species in the United Kingdom, marking the first time the platform has offered domestic planting options for its users.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.comLink for Atlantic Canada podcast advertised on this week's podcast: https://lnkd.in/eBZvS3Uv

This week, we’re headed to the Czech Republic to chat with Jan Kerner, one of the organisers of EURORANDO 2026.EURORANDO is Europe’s largest hiking festival, organised every five years by the European Ramblers Association. Since its first edition in 2001, it has become a tradition that brings together thousands of walkers from across the continent.The 2026 edition will be unique in that it is hosted across two countries — the Czech Republic and Germany — with the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory/Erzgebirge) serving as the central venue.From 20–27 September 2026, the towns of Boží Dar, Loučná pod Klínovcem, and Kurort Oberwiesenthal will act as hubs for the event. Participants can expect 30 guided trails of varying lengths and difficulty, alongside marked unguided routes for those who prefer to walk independently. The programme also includes cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, and regional markets, highlighting the mining heritage of the UNESCO‑listed Ore Mountains.EURORANDO 2026 coincides with the European Walking Day (26 September) and the European Week of Sport. It will also be closely linked with the 123rd Deutscher Wandertag (German Hiking Day), in Oberwiesenthal from 24–27 September.Tickets are already available, and the cost includes access to guided hikes, cultural events, and shuttles.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Linda Åkeson McGurk is a Swedish‑American writer and journalist best known for her books There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather (2017) and The Open‑Air Life (2022).Her work explores Scandinavian parenting and lifestyle traditions, especially the cultural ethos of raising children outdoors year‑round.The Scandinavian philosophy of friluftsliv (literally “open‑air life”) is a cultural tradition that emphasises everyday immersion in nature — not as a sport or conquest, but as a way of living. Coined in the 19th century, it reflects a belief that well‑being, resilience, and harmony come from time spent outdoors, whether walking, skiing, or simply sitting by a lake. Closely tied to this is the right to roam (allemansrätten in Swedish), which grants people legal access to most land for walking, camping, and foraging, provided they respect nature and private property. Together, these traditions underpin McGurk’s advocacy for outdoor parenting and everyday connection to the natural world.While friluftsliv and the right to roam emphasise free access, and are not just limited to Sweden, many regions are experimenting with fees and taxes linked to walking and outdoor recreation. Examples include park entry fees: Some national parks, like proposals in the UK’s Peak District, consider small charges (e.g. £1) to offset funding cuts. There are also tourist taxes, as cities and regions across Europe are introducing levies on overnight stays, which indirectly fund walking infrastructure and landscape maintenance. In other places, trail charges have been introduced. In heavily visited areas, fees are being imposed, or considered to manage overcrowding and environmental impact.These measures are controversial: advocates argue they provide much‑needed investment in trails and conservation, while critics worry they undermine the tradition of free access and could discourage participation.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week’s podcast guest is Emma Craig, author of Slow Travel Isle of Man, which will be published by Bradt in January 2026. The book is part of Bradt’s award-winning Slow Travel series, designed for readers who want to explore destinations in depth and at a more leisurely pace.The Isle of Man guide offers practical advice for discovering the island’s character, from its coastal paths and glens to its historic towns and seasonal traditions such as Hop tu Naa. It also includes tips for quieter routes and cultural events.Craig grew up on the Isle of Man and has strong Manx roots. After studying in Paris, she moved to London before returning to the island recently. Her background gives the guide an insider’s perspective on the island’s landscapes, heritage, and community.Slow Travel Isle of Man is available for pre-order now through Bradt and major booksellers.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Ketul Patel, co‑founder of OMIIA Consulting, is the author of A Journey of Elevation: Lessons for Business Transformation from Everest Base Camp, scheduled for publication in January 2026. The book combines accounts of trekking to Everest Base Camp with sections that apply those experiences to business and organisational change.The narrative alternates between descriptions of the walking – the route, altitude, and endurance required on the trek, and then uses these experiences to draw parallels with leadership, planning, and resilience in a corporate setting. The intention is to illustrate how challenges faced in outdoor environments can be translated into lessons for business transformation.Patel’s professional background includes senior roles in retail and consumer products, with experience at Michael Kors, Toys R Us, Avon, and Wayfair, as well as consulting work at Deloitte. The book reflects his interest in linking personal experiences with professional practice.Published by Koehler Books, A Journey of Elevation: Lessons for Business Transformation from Everest Base Camp is available for pre‑order online at Amazon and other sellers.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

At Morse High School in Bath, Maine, school counselor Leslie Trundy has introduced an alternative to traditional detention. Instead of sitting in a classroom, students who break school rules are offered the option of a supervised hike on the nearby Whiskeag Trail.The program takes students outdoors for several hours, combining physical activity with time away from the usual classroom environment. Trundy leads the walks, explaining routes and encouraging students to engage with the natural surroundings.The initiative has been positioned as a restorative approach, replacing punitive detention with an activity that emphasizes reflection and connection to nature. Early reports suggest it has been well received by both students and staff.We had a conversation with Trundy about the program and how it’s being received.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

On the podcast this week, we are talking about the increased incidences of people tackling longer walks.Whether it’s the Camino in Spain, or the Appalachian Trail in the US, people seem to be looking for bigger and bigger challenges. But why? And what are the challenges and dangers associated with this?Our guest is Vladimir Novkov, a Bulgaria-based psychologist and founder of Sportpersonalities.com, a consultancy that blends psychology, data science, and sport to help individuals and organisations unlock their full potential.With more than 15 years of experience in applied psychology, he specialises in understanding the mental frameworks that drive elite performance — not just in athletes, but in anyone striving to push their limits.His work focuses on the intersection of personality, motivation, and behaviour. Novkov uses psychometric tools and behavioural data to uncover what sustains long-term engagement and achievement.His approach is grounded in the belief that who you are — your personality traits, cognitive patterns, and emotional habits — plays a far greater role in success than fleeting bursts of motivation.SportPersonalities.com works with clients ranging from Olympic athletes to corporate leaders, helping them translate psychological insights into practical strategies. To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Greg Keaney walked the length of coastal New South Wales in Australia from Dreamstime to Eden over a two-year period.The journey was completed in 16 one-week stages between 2023 and 2025, fitted around his work commitments. In total, he spent 80 days walking.The route followed the eastern edge of the state, covering beaches, headlands, bush tracks, and roads. Keaney aimed to walk every beach and headland where access allowed, adjusting the route as needed based on terrain and conditions.The total distance covered was approximately 1,000 miles. He carried his own gear, walked solo, and documented the route throughout the journey.His latest challenge is walking every step (200 miles) of Sydney Harbour—from the Heads to the Headwaters and back again—without bridges or artificial water crossings.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Mark Hines is a writer and endurance athlete whose books document long‑distance expeditions in demanding environments. Drawing on his background in exercise physiology, he has written on challenges ranging from desert ultramarathons to jungle treks.In Hiking the Yukon Quest, he recounts walking the thousand‑mile trail that links Fairbanks, Alaska with Whitehorse in the Canadian territory of the Yukon. Normally the course of a sled dog race, Hines tackled it alone in winter, hauling his supplies across frozen rivers and mountain passes.The book sets out the physical demands of the journey alongside the landscapes and solitude of the far north.Hiking the Yukon Quest is available in print and Kindle editions through major booksellers, including Amazon.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Founded in 2017, Danu Sports develops wearable technology designed to help athletes train smarter and reduce injuries.The company’s flagship product is a “smart sock” system that uses embedded sensors to capture gait and movement data in real time. Coaches, physiotherapists, and athletes can use the analytics platform to monitor performance, identify risks, and support rehabilitation.Backed by venture funding and based in Dublin, Danu Sports is part of a new wave of sports‑tech companies blending biomechanics, data science, and everyday usability to make high‑level performance insights available outside the lab.In September 2025, the company announced a partnership with Hoka at the Ultra‑Trail du Mont Blanc, showcasing its smart sock technology with elite athletes, while also expanding into medical applications.Our guest this week is Oisín Lennon, CEO of DANU Sports.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week our focus is on the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.It’s a beautiful and green city, with a population of just over 600,000. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with amazing architecture spanning the centuries. It has two rivers, the main one, the Neris, runs right through the city, and can be walked along for pretty much the entire length through the city. If you do walk along the river, there are now boats that have been added to the local transport system. There are also views along the river, including the Stalo kalnas, a small hill that is the start of the Vilnius 100 long-distance trail. Broken up into 10 stages of varying length and difficulty, the Vilnius 100 circles the city.It dips in and out of urban areas, but one of the joys of Vilnius is that within minutes, while you can occasionally see and hear the city, you’re in forests, walking along streams, and enjoying the serenity. The trail is also very easy to reach – there are bus stops close to many of the start and end points, and the trail is dotted with distinctive red markers to guide the way.This week, we chatted with Anton Nikitin, chief sustainability officer at Vilnius City Municipality, about walking in the city, the Vilnius 100, and what the city is doing to ensure its green credentials stay that way.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, we’re talking with US author Lea Appleton about her helpful book, published earlier this year, Walking & Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a Time.Interview time: 02:57 Walking & Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a TimeOriginally planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Lea was thwarted by the Covid-19 pandemic.However, she instead embarked on a series of more local walks that became a source of profound self-discovery and awareness. In this book, Lea shares her personal reflections and stories, inviting you to join her in exploring the transformative power of walking.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, our guest is Jude Price, founder and CEO of Walk N Talk 4 Mental Health.Interview time:03:42 Walk N Talk 4 Mental HealthBased in Hampshire, the charity creates supportive communities through walking and talking together.The walks take place in most weather conditions, and last for around 45 minutes. The chosen walks are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level or walking experience.Each walk is led by a qualified mental health first-aider, who creates a welcoming and supportive environment.Currently, the group leads walks in Andover, Basingstoke, Headley Down, Fleet and Romsey. Walk N Talk 4 Mental Health is always looking for more volunteers to lead walks, and hopes to expand into other areas in the future.The combination of light exercise, fresh air, and supportive conversation has proven benefits for mental wellbeing. Many regular walkers report improved mood, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of community connection.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

Now in its eighth year, the High Weald Walking Festival has planned new routes and experiences to help more people discover the beauty and history of the High Weald's national landscape.Interview time:04:43 High Weald Walking FestivalThe festival is free and runs from 13th to 21st September 2025.In 2024, the event attracted more than 600 walkers from across the High Weald, the UK and abroad. This year's programme is now live and has been expanded and designed to enable every level of walker to experience the High Weald's landscape.This year, some of the walks take a closer look at life in the High Weald’s 2,500km of public rights of way. In 'A Walk with a Poet' award-winning poet Jemma Borg shares how the High Weald has inspired her work on a walk in Mayfield, while Sussex naturalist Michael Blencowe leads a family wildlife walk on Ashdown Forest exploring the rare habitat and species of lowland heathland.For people without cars, there are more walks that can be accessed by train or bus. The festival has teamed up with East Sussex Health Walks (The Conservation Volunteers - TCV), Sussex Wildlife Trust and Bedgebury National Pinetum for a series of wellbeing walks that are both accessible and social.Due to popularity and available space, some walks will require pre-booking at https://www.highwealdwalks.org/We had a conversation about the festival with Lucy Bowyer, community engagement officer at the High Weald National Landscape Partnership.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, we’re talking with Grace MacGregor from the marketing department at Scottish outdoor gear manufacturer, Keela. Interview times: 05:04 KeelaKeelaKeela was started in 1989 in Glenrothes, Fife. In the 1990s, Keela team began working on how to manage inner condensation in wet and cold conditions. The result was system dual protection (SDP), a double-layer fabric system that offered game-changing breathability.It netted the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. The company also came up with the world’s first fully tape-sealed fleece to carbon activated fabrics with inherent microbial properties.The company supplies a range of emergency services from the police to the military, fire services and rescue teams.The company also revitalises old gear through the Legacy Project.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, we’re talking about the trend of avoiding hot places for vacations, and about a new trail at a Roman site in North Yorkshire.Interview times: 04:17 Edge of Empire Trail 23:17 CoolcationsCawthorn Roman CampsNearly 2,000 years ago, Roman legions set out from their fortress at York to conquer the north by defeating and controlling the local British tribes; particularly the Brigantes.They constructed a network of camps and forts connected by military roads, systematically occupying new territory and carving their mark into the land. Now, visitors to the North York Moors can step back into this chapter of Britain’s history, with a new illustrated trail at Cawthorn Roman Camps, one of the most significant Roman sites in the region.The one-mile Edge of Empire trail invites people to experience what life was like for Roman soldiers stationed at Cawthorn and to imagine the encounters with the Parisi and Brigantes tribes who lived and farmed in the surrounding landscape.Featuring a series of interpretation panels, artistic impressions and historical insights, the trail covers the three distinct Roman fortifications, including the more mysterious and possibly experimental temporary camp.A herd of Royal Golden Guernsey goats have been enlisted to protect the site as conservation grazers. The goats are now roaming the camps as part of a pioneering effort to prevent invasive scrub, bramble, and bracken from damaging the archaeological remains and heathland habitat.Our conversation is with Nick Mason, archaeology officer at the North York Moors National Park Authority, and Jacob Lawson, conservation officer at the North York Moors National Park Authority.CoolcationsWhile the sunny destinations in Europe such as Greece, Spain, Turkey and Italy are still popular, for some, rising temperatures has prompted a rethink. As temperatures rise, some people – walkers included – are actively looking to avoid the heat, and are choosing to visit new places in cooler climates.The term has been dubbed coolcations, and regions such as Scandinavia are reaping the rewards. Vacationers are also changing the timing of their holidays, and are either visiting warmer destinations when they are out of season, or even going so far as to head to a different part of the world to get away from the heat and experience new adventures.Our guest this week to talk about coolcations was Enrique Umbert, from Mountain Lodges of Peru, a company that provides unique trekking holidays in the South American country.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

This week, we’re talking about a series of trails with dinosaur markers in Leicestershire, and the 8-Day Walking Challenge in Somerset.Interview times: 03:51 Dino T-Reks 16:48 80-mile walking challengeDino T-Reks in LeicestershireA series of free ‘Dino T-Reks’ walking trails for the summer is taking place in 14 Leicestershire parks.Schoolchildren were tasked with creating the designs for the trail markers by Leicestershire County Council’s Sustainable Travel team.A total of 95 dinosaur trail markers inspired by sustainable travel methods are positioned along trails the parks.As families walk, scoot, or cycle along the trails, they can spot up to eight dino markers, scan QR codes with their phones to collect letters, spell a mystery word and enter a draw to win a prize donated by a local business.The free Dino T-Reks walking trails will be found in: Watermead Country Park, Market Bosworth Country Park, Snibston Country Park in Coalville, Forest East Park in LFE, Welland Park in Market Harborough, Melton Country Park, Spital Playing Field in Castle Donington, Blaby Road Park, Jubilee Park in Enderby, Queen’s Park in Loughborough, Hollycroft Park in Hinckley, Bottesford Park and Everards Meadows near Fosse Park.Our conversation is with Kit Prime, communications officer at Leicestershire County Council, and Jessica Herbert, a Safe & Sustainable Travel manager.Somerset 80-mile walking challengeNational Trails has announced an 80-mile walking challenge in September that will take place along the Somerset and Exmoor coast on part of England’s newest national trail, the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP).This year, the eight-day walk begins at County Gate on Exmoor and ends on Brean Down at the end of the Mendip Hills.Participants can do the entire walk, or pick certain days to walk. The event starts on 28 September, and participation costs vary from £6 to £9 for one day, or £46 to £68 for the entire event.The difficulty level is listed as challenging, with the first two days the most strenuous.The challenge will raise funds for The Outdoor Guide Foundation’s Waterproofs and Wellies campaign to support Somerset’s coastal primary schools – last year’s efforts raised £350 and bought 10 sets of waterproofs and wellies for West Huntspill Primary School. The target this year is £700 to support two schools.We had a conversation with Isobel Pring, of the Somerset Trail Partnership for the King Charles III England Coast Path.To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com