Waytrails – The World's Best Trails, All in One Place

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,...

For our final episode of the year, we’re joined by Peter Fiennes , one of today’s finest authors. In this conversation, Peter shares insights into his remarkable body of work, revealing how he draws inspiration from place and landscape. He also opens up about his extraordinary personal connection to the Western Front and how it has shaped his writing. A joy to talk to, Peter’s passion for history,...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Isitt , who stumbled upon the forgotten story of a 1919 epic bike race through the battlefields of Europe—an incredible piece of history that’s been largely lost to time. Intrigued by this hidden gem, Tom set out to uncover everything he could about the race and its route, even riding it himself. His fascinating journey and research are brought to life in his b...

Just one week ago, Kev shattered the fastest known time on the Western Front Way trails—an incredible achievement that speaks to his endurance, determination, and passion for pushing boundaries. In this episode, Kev shares his extraordinary story, revealing why he took on the trail, what motivated him to break records, and how seizing the moment is key to living life to the fullest. It was a real...

In this episode, we sit down with Billy Perham , who served with the British Armed Forces for over 30 years, including deployments to some of the most dangerous places on Earth. Billy’s career as a Royal Marines Commando taught him invaluable lessons in resilience, leadership, and discipline—values that continue to guide him today. Billy shares how he plans to apply these principles when he takes...

In this episode, we’re joined by Joan , who reached out after sharing that she was walking the Western Front Way . We just had to hear her story. Joan opens up about the deeply personal reasons behind her walk, the incredible tradition she follows before each journey, and what drew her to the Western Front Way specifically. It was a joy to chat with Joan, whose warmth and thoughtful perspective ma...

In this episode, we’re joined by Blind Dave , a remarkable individual with a CV filled with challenges that few could match. From extreme endurance events to defying the odds, Dave has done it all—and he's not stopping anytime soon. Despite preparing for knee surgery, Dave is setting his sights on an incredible new adventure: tackling the Western Front Way trails on a tandem bike. In this fascinat...

In this episode, we’re joined by Georgia, co-founder of Freedom Trails alongside Richard Mayon-White. Freedom Trails is the official logistics partner for the Lewis Moody Ride along the Western Front Way in October 2023, and they’re helping bring this incredible journey to life. Georgia was part of the recce team in May 2022, helping map out the route, and shares her insights into what makes the W...

Fresh from a journey along the Western Front Way with friends, Si is back to share an abundance of tips, tricks, and expert advice for anyone thinking of tackling this iconic trail. From navigating the terrain to making the most of your experience, Si offers practical insights to help you get the best out of your own adventure. But this episode goes beyond just the trails. Si and the team dive int...

In this episode, we’re joined by Brianna Gervat , who embarked on an epic journey last year, walking the Western Front Way from south to north. A resident of South Georgia , Brianna felt a deep pull to explore this powerful historical trail, and in doing so, experienced a transformative pilgrimage through some of the most significant landscapes of World War I. Hear Brianna’s compelling story as sh...

In this episode, we’re joined by renowned journalist and author Tom Heap , who shares the fascinating story of his great uncle, Alexander Douglas Gillespie . In 1915, while serving in the trenches, Gillespie conceptualized what would later become the Western Front Way —a vision of remembrance and commemoration that has now come to life. Tom takes us through his own personal journey walking the Wes...

In this episode, we sit down with Sir Anthony Seldon , the visionary who started it all and became the first person to walk the full length of the Western Front Way . Sir Anthony shares his profound insights on the creation of The Path of Peace and what the Western Front Way truly stands for. As a renowned historian, author, and former headmaster, Sir Anthony brings a unique perspective on the pow...

In this episode, we sit down with Lewis Moody , England Rugby World Cup Winner and British & Irish Lion, to talk about his personal connection to the Western Front and what inspired him to take on the Western Front Way trail in October. Lewis opens up about why the First World War resonates so deeply with him and how his journey along the trail is tied to both his love for history and his comm...