Stories and author interviews
In conversation with Rudolf Abraham: Hiking the High Scardus Trail
Rudolf Abraham has been walking the mountains of the Balkans for more than two decades, and his guidebook, Hiking the High Scardus Trail, is the first to cover this remote 314km route through North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. The trail crosses the vast pastures of the Shar Mountains, climbs Mount Korab, the highest peak in both Albania and North Macedonia, and finishes at the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Saint Naum on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Here, we talk to Rudolf about how the trail came about, what sets it apart from the neighbouring Peaks of the Balkans, and the wildflowers, wildlife and hospitality that make it one of the last places in Europe where you can genuinely feel off the map.
In conversation with Terry Marsh: Walking the Coast to Coast Path
Terry Marsh has been walking, writing and thinking about the northern fells for longer than most. His first Cicerone guide to the Coast to Coast Path appeared in 1993, and...
In conversation with Mike Dunn: 15 Short Walks in the Wye Valley
The River Wye is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful river valleys in England and Wales, and Mike Dunn's guidebook brings together 15 of the best short walks...
Peaks of the Balkans experience: what it’s like to hike the remote cross-border trail
We caught up with Rudolf Abraham to hear about his experience hiking the Peaks of the Balkans trail while researching and writing our guidebook. Spanning three countries — Montenegro, Albania,...
In conversation with Mark Richards: Best Walks in the Lake District
Few guidebook writers have a connection to the Lake District quite like Mark Richards. As a young man he became a regular house guest and walking companion of Alfred Wainwright,...
Martyn Howe's reflections from five of Britain's big trails
Martyn Howe has walked over 8,000 miles on Britain's long-distance trails, from a teenage first outing on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to a 2,300-mile pilgrimage along the England Coast Path....
In conversation with Jonathan Williams: trekking in the Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland is home to some of the most iconic mountain scenery in Europe, from the legendary north face of the Eiger to the flower-filled alps above Grindelwald and...
In conversation with Brian Furze: trekking in the Indian Himalayas
From sacred pilgrimage routes to remote glacier valleys, trekking in Uttarakhand offers far more than dramatic mountain scenery. In this conversation, Brian Furze reflects on decades of walking in the...
Walking together: a conversation with HF Holidays
We caught up with Hannah Myers from HF Holidays to talk about their century-long passion for connecting people with the outdoors. From welcoming first-time walkers to leading adventures in far-flung...
Exploring the Prosecco Hills: a conversation with Gillian Price
Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, the Prosecco Hills are a landscape of steep, terraced vineyards, charming villages, and peaceful country lanes. In her guidebook Walking in the Prosecco...
In conversation with Adrian Trendall: climbing the Skye Munros
Few mountain groups in Britain inspire quite the same mix of awe, excitement and apprehension as the Black Cuillin. Rising abruptly from the sea on the Isle of Skye, their...
Myths, legends and folklore: the spooky tales of the British countryside
The British countryside is steeped in history and folklore—from tales of headless horsemen to ghosts, vampires, goblins, and sea creatures—we have it all. You've heard of the Loch Ness Monster,...
Why I wrote Via Ferratas of the French Alps
By Richard Miller Cicerone author Richard Miller tells us about how to came to write the guidebook to Via Ferratas of the French Alps and what he loves about the...
Walking the Northern Trek: a conversation with Ken Heptonstall
Long-distance walker and route creator Ken Heptonstall has spent a lifetime exploring the great outdoors. From his first alpine adventures in the 1970s to founding the 900km Northern Trek linking...
Caminito del Rey – The Walkway of Death
By Steve Barham Regular Cicerone Extra contributor Steve Barham recently explored the famous Caminito del Rey in southern Spain. Now made much safer, it still provides an exhilarating walk above...
Guy Hunter Watts: A tribute
Guy Hunter Watts, lover of Andalusia and author of 5 Cicerone guides to the region, died in early May, aged 64. 'He loved the villages and the villages loved him...
Running on the roof of the world: The Everest Marathon
By Alison Bramall Running on the roof of the world is never going to give you a marathon personal best, but it will be an incredible, life-changing experience. If you...
Climbing K2: Jake Meyer's ten-year journey to the summit of the savage mountain
By Jake Meyer Jake Meyer, one of the youngest Britons to climb Everest, and the youngest man in the world to complete the Seven Summits, undertook his biggest challenge when...
A sad announcement about Kat Davis: Cicerone author, friend and colleague.
The whole Cicerone community is deeply saddened by the news that Katrina Davis, one of our esteemed authors and colleagues, died on 28 February. We held Kat in the highest...
From training to trail: a conversation between Cicerone and Mountain Training's Association
Navigating the world of mountain leadership qualifications can be daunting for outdoor enthusiasts at any level. In this conversation, we explore how the Mountain Training's Association (MTA) supports aspiring and...
Tour of Monte Rosa experience: tackling the ultimate Alpine trek
We caught up with Maddy Williams to hear about her experience trekking the Tour of Monte Rosa while researching and writing our TMR guidebook. As one of the most spectacular...
PCT experience: what it’s like to hike the Pacific Crest Trail
We sat down with David Jordan to chat about his experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, one of the most iconic long-distance hikes in the world. David shared his insights...
Camping and kayaking in Norway: a packrafting adventure
By Alex Kendall Combining camping, walking and kayaking, Alex Kendall set out on a packrafting expedition to explore the peninsulas and fjords of Senja island in Norway. Landing on the...
How to climb Ben Nevis
By Sean McBride Reaching the summit of Ben Nevis is the realisation of a dream for many. Based on many visits, Sean McBride tells you how to get there and...