Meet the team

Passionate hiker Elmar spends months of his time on the trail. He’s usually on the lookout for hidden gems in one of his favourite countries such as Slovenia, Switzerland and Japan. He founded hiking-trails.com in need for a community and detailed information about the trails. Before this, he worked for the Alpine asscociation in the Netherlands[ (NKBV) but lost his heart to the trails.

Not long ago, Elmar published the book (in Dutch) Hiking Trails – best long-distance trails in Europe. With this book, website and socials, he hopes to inspire and shape an inclusive community for hikers all over world. No matter your speed, experience or level, you can get out there to enjoy the trails and connect with the heartwarming hiking community. Life is so much better outside and he hopes to inspire hikers to take their first, or next, step on the trail.

You can reach Elmar at info@hiking-trails.com.

Jochem de Jong is a Dutch photographer and the technical guy behind this website. With his passion for photography and design he makes sure that every page on this website looks perfect. The last years Jochem hiked 20+ long-distance trails, mainly in Europe from the Coast to Coast in England to mountain hut trekkings in the Dolomites. Most of the photos on this website Jochem shot on the trails.

Besides hiking, Jochem loves Italy and most of all the dreamy countryside of Tuscany which at one day, he hopes to run a small B&B besides his work as a photographer.

After 10+ years on the road (and trail!), Katie has hiked the Camino Frances, the Peaks of the Balkans, the Fisherman’s Trail, the Cumbria Way, the Pembrokeshire Way, the GR131, and more in Europe and the United States. She is an avid trail runner, and you can find her either on the trail or in a cafe, sampling all of their gluten-free treats. Follow her adventures on Instagram.

Hi, I’m Anna. I work as an outdoor photographer, author, and content creator with a deep love for life in motion and time spent outside. Growing up in Germany’s Rothaargebirge made me a true middle-mountain person at heart, so I feel most at home among misty forests, rolling hills, and wide, quiet landscapes. Through my work, I combine photography with outdoor adventure, creating visual stories in beautiful natural settings together with brands and inspiring people. But even off camera, you’ll usually find me on a trail somewhere hiking, exploring, and breathing in fresh air. I’m especially drawn to long-distance hikes in low mountain ranges. I love to go out alone on sunny days, mild temperatures, and hours of walking through peaceful nature. For me, being outdoors means freedom, clarity, and feeling truly connected to the nature around me.

 

Daphny (@explorewithdaphny) is an outdoor photographer based in the Netherlands and combines her passion for photography with her love for the mountains.

She spends a lot of time hiking for work, documenting landscapes and long-distance routes, and often hikes solo as well.
Over the last few years, she has hiked all over the world in remote places like Madagascar, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Last summer, she wildcamped the Scottish Skye Trail, spent a full month in the Swiss and Italian Alps, and climbed Kilimanjaro, constantly pushing herself out of her comfort zone.

This coming summer, she will set out on her biggest adventure yet, hiking the 750 km Alpe Adria Trail solo.

I’m Louise, the face behind irishgirlexplores. I’m a hiker from Dublin, Ireland, with a focus on encouraging people to spend more time outdoors.

Through photography and storytelling, I share experiences on hikes big and small, from the Pacific Crest Trail in 2024 to local walks on the coastal path in Devon. My goal is to open people’s eyes to the beauty of nature and, even if they can’t get outside, to inspire and spark curiosity.

I want hiking to feel accessible and worth prioritising, especially for those who didn’t grow up with access to it, like me.

As an ambassador for Hiking Trails, I’m proud to support a platform that celebrates hiking culture while educating and motivating people to step into nature, whatever distance that may be.

Hey! I’m Marina, and I’m usually either out in the mountains or sharing what I’ve learned along the way.

I grew up spending loads of time in nature with my parents, so hiking has always been part of my life. Besides hiking, I’m into pretty much any excuse to be outside (rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking), which is exactly why I left Barcelona and now call Andorra home.

I didn’t do my first hut-to-hut hike until my sister talked me into Carros de Foc in 2018… and that was it! Since then, I’ve done at least one hut-to-hut hike every year, all in the Pyrenees. Even though it’s “just” one mountain range, it somehow keeps surprising me every single time. Some favourites so far have been Alta Ruta de los Perdidos and Coronallacs (I’m a huge fan of alpine lakes!), but I also love discovering quieter, lesser-known routes like Travessa dels 3 Refugis.

I already have three more hut-to-hut hikes planned in the Pyrenees for 2026… and who knows, maybe even one outside the range!

Nicola Whitbread is a U.K.-based hiker chasing long miles and big skies. She loves the simplicity of carrying everything she needs in a backpack, the challenge of solo hiking, and the bliss of reading a book in her tent after a long day of hiking.

She finds confidence, freedom, and peace on the trail, and it is very much her happy place.

You can follow Nicola on Instagram @nicola.navigates.

Ryan is a Canadian (also American, but he likes to say that’s through a technicality) thru-hiker who has left corporate America to complete 7 hikes on 7 continents. A prairie boy by birth, his love for the mountains came young from yearly trips out to the Rockies of Canada. Oblivious to the world of thru hiking, but an avid hiker of daily peaks, a chance encounter on the top of Mt. Whitney with a PCT hiker from Montreal in 2022 changed his views on hiking. A quick 48-hour binge of what the PCT entailed and the thought of “I’m going to do that one day” set him into a spiral of discovering what else existed in the world of thru’s and eventually the goal of 7 on 7. Ryan has since completed the PCT and is currently tramping Te Araroa, documenting every step of the way, and while he’s known as just Ryan on the TA, the PCT has him branded as Bubbles, aka Bubs.

Hey! I’m Tim, and I’m psyched for adventure and telling stories. My current favourite way of going on adventures is thru-hiking (although you might find me trail running or rock climbing from time to time). Born and raised in South Africa, I only discovered the exciting world of thru-hiking in 2024; and on the spur of the moment, when feeling particularly lost in life, I booked a one-way flight to Georgia to hike the TCT in autumn 2025. After three epic months alone, fighting through snowstorms and terrifying shepherd dogs, I decided that this was the life for me! I have 7,000km of hiking planned for 2026 (if my visa arrives, I’ll be hiking Europe’s newest trail, The Wolf Trail) and even more in 2027! See you out there!

 

Ahmed Mousa is from the Gibalya tribe. Ahmed grew up in Wadi El-Raha, a village near St Catherine in the Sinai peninsula, and began guiding when he was young. He has a formidable knowledge of the Sinai highlands and his other area of expertise is Sinai’s plants and animals. He is the grandson of the famous Dr. Ahmed – a Bedouin herbalist – from whom he learned what he knows today. When he’s not guiding, Ahmed spends his time in the mountains, walking, learning new things, caring for his family, and tending to his orchard near his home. Ahmed was a part of the Sinai Trail Bedouin Cooperative for 2 years. You can follow Ahmed on Instagram @mr_sinawy. ​​

Alia thru-hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail southbound in 2023 and has stayed wandering since. You can read about her latest ambles on Substack: @alughobi.

Hi, my name is Alieke, founder of Workingremotely.nl. My desire to travel has taken me (and my laptop) to the most beautiful places in the world, from Malaysia to New York and from Costa Rica to Croatia.  I love to share my experiences with others and I’m always eager to discover new things, both while traveling and in my business.

Andreas Scholz was born in a small Swabian village in Germany. It wasn’t until the age of 35 that he began to discover the big wide world, and since then he has been traveling the most diverse long-distance hiking trails in Germany.

You can follow Andi on Instagram @startthetrail.wanderblog

Andrej was born in Macedonia, a country blessed with a mountainous landscape but lacking long-distance trails until recently.
He was an average hiker until he became hooked on multi-day hikes in 2015. On the trail, he prefers wild camping and seeks out routes that offer solitude and trail diversity. During his recent southbound thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, he earned the trail name “OnePole” because he always hikes with just one trekking pole.

He also loves exploring new, unknown tracks and is a initiator in the creation of the new Sammiana – Macedonian Endless Trail.

Antoine was born in Switzerland and is always to be found wandering through the mountains of its home country or somewhere else. He can be found hiking in his sandals during the warmer months or using backcountry skies in the snow during the winter. You can follow Antoine on Instagram @antoineb90. 

Ard Leeksma was born in the Netherlands. He is a self-taught freelance photographer who travels anywhere and has been thru-hiking about 4 years from now. His love for long-distance hiking all started in the best hiking country: New Zealand. Eventually, he discovered his way to the mountains in Europe, especially in the Alps, Pyrenees, and the Balkans. Ard writes detailed itineraries of his trips and shoots personal portraits and business outdoor branding.

You can check his website or follow him on Instagram: @ardleeksma

Hi, I’m Björn, from Kiel, Northern Germany. I’m a 35-year-old Civil Engineer succesfully hiked the Pacific Crest Trail NoBo in 2023. As an alien, there’s lots of stuff to do, before you lock your house in Germany and move to the U.S. for half a year.I love being outside, hiking, climbing, running, and swimming. Cooking, Baking, and dehydrating food is also a passion of mine.

Together with his partner Anika, Björn invented the Laeppie for European thru-hikers.

Blake’s heart belongs to the California Sierra Nevada, where a 3-day backpacking trip at age 11 kindled the love affair that eventually brought him to hike the Sierra High Route, trail running adventures across Desolation Wilderness, and a short-lived PCT thru-hike attempt.

Further afield, Blake has hiked and run on New Zealand’s Great Walks and Te Araroa, along Spain’s lesser-known Caminos, in Nepal’s Nar and Phu valleys, and among the French, Swiss, Austrian, and Italian Alps. He’s a U.S. citizen who currently calls Europe home. Learn more at blakeboles.com.

Ever fantasize about quitting your job, grabbing your pack, and heading for the hills for weeks—or even months—at a time?

You’re not alone. And you’re not crazy. You’re just catching the scent of a different kind of wealth: dirtbag rich.

Brian grew up in New England hiking the White Mountains of NH. He thru-hiked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail with his now-fiance in 2021 and they have been avid long-distance backpackers ever since, completing the Trans Catalina Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, and John Muir Trail. In 2024 they will be thru-hiking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail.

You can follow them on Instagram @trekking_thru

Hey everybody, My name is Chris, 32, I was born and raised in eastern Austria, lived in Vienna for more then 10 years, and since 2020 I am travelling the world with a bunch of stops for work, as hiking and travelling doesn’t pay the bills 😉

I did my first Trail in 2016, which was the at this time not soooo famous Fishermans Trail in Portugal. I hiked it in January and enjoyed the solitude I had during those impressive hikes. Since then I did around 10 Trails all over Europe, but mainly in the south as I really prefer the Mediterranean climate.
I have a quite big knowledge about flora and fauna, and really enjoy to share it while exploring new places and learning new things.

I also document my journey and hikes on my Youtube Channel. Have a look if you like.

Chris works as an outdoor photographer and can regularly be found in nature with his camera and tent: the higher the mountain, the better. He is always on the lookout for the balance between real emotion, atmosphere, and lively action. Next to his passion for photography, he organizes workshops in countries such as Iceland, Kyrgyzstan and Greenland.

Chris is also active as a travel and photojournalist for various media, including Columbus Magazine, NatGeo Traveler, Lonely Planet NL and the NKBV.

You can find more of Chris’ work on his website and Instagram!

Debbie is a proud co-owner of a bar in the most beautiful city in the world – Ghent of course. But long days of serving people and endless small talk often take a toll on this introvert and starting to hike solo turned out to be the perfect escape from social life. The fisherman’s trail and Kungsleden have been great introductions to long(er) distance hiking. She’s thinking of stepping up her game next time to more challenging trails in Corsica or Norway, or maybe Scotland, which already has a special place in her heart.

Deen and Alette, from Hikaholics, originally started hiking for their mental health and haven’t stopped since. They are outdoor filmmakers on YouTube where they share the beauty of long-distance trails, give information about backpacking trips, and talk about outdoor gear. After multiple well-known European long-distance trails, it is time for their next big adventure which soon will be released!

Diogo Tavares | trekking guide & trail maker

Working through the complex task of simplifying life so that I can live it. It can be a 20 days walk in autonomy through the Icelandic cold, crossing lava fields without coming across a single human being, and calling my backpack home; or a stroll up the Himalayas, reaching 5000m in bikepacking with just one pedal; or maybe floating upstream for days, as a lazy otter does; or simply getting my bike, crossing the Tagus river and going for a swim in the Ocean, with my son and Coi, the dog.

Big journeys, crazy adventures or just little daily walks in the middle of nature searching for the simple moments.

@ digstavares founder of @vadiagemoutdoors on Instagram | Vadiagem-outdoors.com

Born in the city, I was always annoyed by the streets crowded with cars, the buildings that hid the sky, and the rush of people. I soon realized that my place was no longer in Padova but in the white rocks of the Dolomites. So I used to spend the week at the University of Forest Sciences, and the weekend exploring the trails of the Wight Mountains because I wanted to get to know them in all their nuances.

It was my parents who took me to the mountains from an early age. They took me to Val di Zoldo, in the winter with skis on my feet and in the summer to walk, but… I hated it! I was annoyed, all I did was ask, “How much longer?” But then I grew up, and I discovered that walking is essential for me. Scouting then taught me about the outdoors and the satisfaction of long treks in tents. The Italian Alpine Club made me discover mountaineering and the world outside Val di Zoldo. But walking was never enough for me, I was hungry for trails, views, and adventures. So I accumulated experience and kilometers, and in 2021 I realized a dream I had cradled for years: in 3 months I crossed the Alps on foot, from Finale Ligure to Trieste, alone and sleeping in a tent!

On this trip, I searched for my way in these mountains, until I realized that there is nothing that gives me greater joy than bringing people up here and watching their astonished expressions in front of so much beauty. So at the end of the trip, I took the course to become an Environmental Hiking Guide, and now I bring people up here, where falling in love is easy.

Ellie Berry is a long-distance walker and Irish mountain climber. Since 2017, she has walked over 4,000km of trails around Ireland with partner Carl Lange. In 2023, she set a new Irish record for the fastest known time for climbing all 275 mountains on the island of Ireland in a little over 50 days. You can find her adventures documented on toughsoles.ie, and follow her on Instagram @tough_soles.

Emma Willaert discovered her passion for hiking during the COVID pandemic and hasn’t stopped walking ever since. She likes to prepare her trips by means of a PowerPoint slide deck to inform and inspire her friends.

You can follow Emma and find her presentations on Instagram @slidesandhikes.

Gavin van de Wal was born in the Netherlands, but his heart belongs to the mountains. From exploring the lesser-known trails in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains to conquering Africa’s highest peak – his love for multi-day hikes has taken him across the world. In the Alps, he completed several classic hut-to-hut treks in Switzerland, enjoying the comfort of mountain refuges and pristine Alpine landscapes. Beyond Europe, he’s tackled the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and Patagonia’s O Circuit in Chili, always seeking new paths that combine challenging hiking with breathtaking natural environments.

He’s from the land of Everest. She’s from the land without a single mountain. Govinda grew up in the highlands of Nepal. Valerie on the flat fields of the Netherlands. When their paths crossed, the real journey began. They started walking across the wild trails of Nepal. Somewhere along the way, they found each other and a deep love for the Himalayas.

That’s how By Mountain People was born. Created by mountain people, for mountain people. For those who love the peaks. And the people who live among them.

Follow their journey, their team, and fellow travelers on Instagram: @bymountainpeople (English) or @mountainpeople_nl (Dutch).

Hadrien and Lisa weren’t born in the mountains, as they respectively come from Brittany (France) and Belgium, and live in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, over the past 10 years, they gradually gained experience and knowledge each year, ultimately leading them to Thru-hike the French Alps and the Pyrenees, as well as doing the Camino twice! You can follow Hadrien and Lisa on Instagram @the.wild.dukes

Hanka’s love affair with hiking began on the other side of the world – in New Zealand! She lived and hiked there for a year, just a woman, her van, and a backpack! Now, she’s home in the Czech Republic where she became a new mom in 2022. She wants to show to other (future) mums that hiking with a baby is a new level of adventure! Her past trails include hiking thru New Zealand, Austra, Slovakia, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland and Tenerife.

You can follow her on instagram @haniii_z

Hanna was born in a small village in the back corner of the Netherlands: one of the flattest places in the world. Even though she can’t find the mountains in her surroundings, she likes to go hiking, wild camping, and trail running. She is always looking for new challenges and enjoying the little things. What is the best way to do that in a country without mountains? By going on micro-adventures, like exploring new tracks in the area or making coffee in the woods.

As a physical therapist and health psychologist (i.o.) she wants to help people with physical and mental health problems. She encourages and inspires people to go outside, to be in motion, and to get out of their comfort zone. Being in nature is, in her opinion, one of the best ways to recover from health problems and to get the feeling of freedom and happiness.

You can follow Hanna on Instagram @hannavaalten

Hanne Govaerts is a Belgian outdoors enthusiast. During the week she works a full-time office job but every moment of spare time she tends to spend outdoors, on trail. Her passion for hiking started at the early age of 16, when she impulsively went on a summer camp hiking the Wicklow Way in Ireland. Ever since, her holidays have been filled with hiking trips such as the Matterhorn Trek in Switzerland and the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route in Japan. Hanne’s main goal is to hike all the Belgian long-distance trails. With its +/- 10.000 kilometers of trails throughout the country, it’s a challenge that should not be taken lightly. You can follow her hiking adventures on her Instagram account @hannehikes.

Henk-Jan was born in the Netherlands and has been hiking from a young age. He walks a lot in the Netherlands, including day and long-distance walks. A few times a year he walks for a long weekend with friends. For a couple of years, he walked long distances in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. In 2024 he walked the S;t Olavsleden in Sweden. You can follow Henk-Jan on Instagram @henkjankienhuis.

Holger de Bruin and Marietta van Attekum are a Dutch married couple with a long-standing connection to the Balkans, especially Greece. They both speak Greek, among other languages.

Marietta van Attekum is a psychologist, anthropologist, and linguist (modern Greek).

Holger de Bruin is a musician and musicologist. Marietta, because of her Greek and anthropology studies, has a close connection to the region. Holger, as a musician, played in the former warzones of the Balkans. They both experienced the fragility of peace in the Balkans, young countries with borders that were established only a century or even a few decades ago. Their concerns and their love for the region motivated them to start the Via Egnatia Project in 2008, aiming at promoting the ancient Via Egnatia as a symbol of the shared history to counteract the diverging tendencies that continually resurface in politics. The Via Egnatia Hiking Trail is one of the tangible results of the endeavour.

Through promotion, education, cooperation projects, and the Via Egnatia Hiking Trail, the Via Egnatia Foundation enhances awareness of the millennia of shared past among citizens and children of the Southern Balkans. Wanting to know more about the project? Check www.viaegnatiafoundation.eu.

Ilse was born in Belgium but lost her heart – literally – to North America. She has hiked the Great Divide Trail and part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Somewhere on the PCT, she met her husband Ryan. Together, they have hiked trails in Sweden and Portugal. After a year on the road, they are back in Belgium, saving up money for future adventures. You can follow Ilse on Instagram.

Irene Fernandez grew up in Spain in a region with nearly 0 mountains. So, when she got a taste of the mountains at age 19, she discovered a whole new world. With a 9-5 as marketing manager, she spends her free time bookmarking routes and planning getaways to “touch grass.” Few things make her happier than getting to an Austrian mountain hut after a long hiking day and ordering a weissbier and a brettljause.

Iskren is a passionate hiker from Bulgaria. He has set up the Facebook group for the Kom-Emine, Bulgaria’s hidden gem and thru-hike to help hikers find each other and exchange experiences of this long-distance trail to promote the trail to the international community, provide detailed up-to-date info in English, help hikers find each other and exchange experiences of this long-distance trail.

Jan Bakker is the founder of the Pamir Trail. He also designs and leads pioneering trekking expeditions in regions like East Africa, Iraqi Kurdistan, and the Pamirs. For Tajikistan, he has written a trekking guide, published by UK publisher Cicerone. He still dreams of creating a trail connection stitching up the Pamirs, the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram, and the Himalayas. Jan lives with his family in Uganda. Follow Jan on Instagram @jb37north.

I’m Jannik and I like hiking. Trekking even more. And I also like to document my adventures. That’s why I founded @Trekkinglife together with my good friend Thomas. Check out our Blog trekkinglife.de for serious content or our YouTube and Instagram for fun content!

Jay Wilson was born in Virginia not far from the Appalachian Trail. He started his long distance walking in the UK and the Alps after moving across the Atlantic. Coming to the Highlands in 2014, he soon fell in love with the countryside and the coast. Work began on the John o’ Groats Trail in 2016, the same year Jay moved to Berriedale, Caithness.

Jerome left everything he had behind in Belgium ten years ago and after a long trip reached Southeast Asia where he lived there for a couple of years. From Vietnamese rice terraces to Borneo’s deep jungles, from Mount Fuji to the Everest base camp, he hasn’t stopped moving since, always looking for new challenges and seeing as many wonders as he can. You can discover his photographer’s work and follow Jerome on Instagram here: @jerome_srv

Jess Barlow is former Gear Editor at We Are Explorers, and the Head of Nutrition at Optiventure. More commonly known as The Hiker’s Nutritionist, she helps outdoor adventurers fuel their bodies for performance, recovery, and adventure. Connect with her at @jessfromoutside or @thehikersnutritionist on Instagram.

Having always been ‘sporty’ but never one to excel in any particular pursuit, Jess loves the simplicity of long distance: you don’t need to be particularly talented or fast at walking, you need only put one foot in front of the other. 

And it’s going the distance that truly tests one’s character. Slowing right down to see the natural world and its magnificence, and truly seeing it. To continuously be navigating new waters, and learning along the way. It’s the sense of freedom and resilience that Jess is consistently hungry for, to witness herself in all manner of experiences and extremes. To trust each tiny step, and to remember the bigger picture will take care of itself.

After a few long distance cycle tours, Jess was supposed to cycle around the world. Having planned and saved for many years, only a global pandemic could be the reason she didn’t go. So in the summer of 2020, craving some transformation and adventure, she decided to shave her head and start walking from her house in Bristol. She would go for 3-4 days at a time and enjoyed a few trips exploring the landscapes around the city and beyond. It was on these hikes that she and her partner started dreaming of bigger hikes for even more nature immersion. The thru hiking obsession had begun so by the summer of 2021 they were ready to take on the UK’s longest footpath along the South West Coast Path. The following summer they decided to return to Turkey to trek the Lycian Way, followed by hiking the GR5 route across the French Alps. After some shorter thru hikes in the UK, Europe and walking in the Himalayas, they are currently preparing for the PCT in 2024.

Jess has type one diabetes, eats a plant based diet and wears barefoot shoes. For work she is a wedding celebrant and yoga teacher on retreats. Check out her website to read more about her offerings and insights on her blog, and follow her PCT journey @uprootlife.

Jill Poulsen and her husband have raised six boys in the San Joaquin Valley, a gateway to the mighty Sierra Mountains. She wanders trails all over the world as often as she can. Trained as a historian, she studies women explorers of the nineteenth century and enjoys walking in their footsteps.

You can follow her @nevertoolatetoroam on Instagram.

Joe Brammer is the Partnerships Manager for Bilaterals at BRAC, a leading international nonprofit with a mission to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Joe’s professional interests include poverty alleviation, global value chains, social enterprise development, climate resilience and adaptation, and migration. He holds an MSc in Development Studies from SOAS and possesses extensive experience in policy analysis and research. Outside of work, he is an avid writer of short stories and non-fiction, a keen hiker, and a passionate foodie.

Johannes Norz was born in Tirol, halfway between Munich and Verona, in Austria. He has been in the mountains ever since. Throughout his life, he’s hiked most of Europe, the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennine, and the Balkans.

Joy Hadders is a Dutchie who takes full advantage of her free days off of work to experience as much as possible in other countries. Like many others, she found her way in hiking during the lockdown and now she’s also hooked! She enjoys discovering hidden gems with her boyfriend and dreams of a fully pinned world map. You can follow Joy on Instagram @joyhadders.

Juliane discovered the healing effect of hiking in the winter of 2019 as a result of difficult changes in her life. In 2021, she set off on her first long-distance hike across the Alps from Oberstdorf to Merano. Since then, she has been exploring the trails of the world and takes every opportunity to be out on the trails, true to the motto: “Hiking is my destiny.”

Kathrin Rust is a long-term world traveler from Germany. Through walking her first Camino de Santiago in Spain, she experienced the joy of exploring our beautiful planet on foot. Followed by a remote solo adventure in Greenland and hiking in the Nepalese Himalayas, she completely gave her heart to long-distance hikes and wild nature.

The GR10, Tour du Mont Blanc, Peaks of the Balkans, Lykia Yolu, and more, as well as bikepacking in Alaska and Iceland; the outdoors is her favorite place to be. Kathrin truly believes in ‘Trail Magic’ and that hiking is the purest form of exploring life. You can follow her at @walk_with_kat on Instagram and contact her for any questions. Happy trails!

Laura was born in the hilly countryside of Central Italy but, thanks to her Brazilian heritage, she grew up traveling back and forth to the breathing heart of the world, the Amazon. Despite her connection to nature from her early years, it wasn’t until 2019, during a gap year in New Zealand, that she found out her love for hiking. Immersed in the breathtaking landscapes of Aotearoa, she tackled her first multi-day hikes and even completed the South Island section of the Te Araroa trail. Since then, she kept on exploring the great outdoors, hiking across Australia, Southeast Asia, and Italy.

Recently, Laura has discovered a passion for bikepacking and hopes to combine cycling and hiking in her future adventures. You can follow her adventures on @basti.onthemove.

Lenny Bassleer is born in the Flemish Ardennes, in Belgium. He is known as the youngest person who ever walked the highest distance in a lifetime under the age category of -30 years old. With 2 world records and one European record, he is a crazy hiker. He hiked all over the world, finishing the Pacific Crest Trail, the GR5, the Via Francigena, and way more.

You can follow Lenny on Instagram Lenny Bassleer (@ultrawalkerlenny) • Instagram photos and videos

 

 

Lies Dieben discovered her love for long-distance hiking in Scandinavia on the Kungsleden, but has since branched out to other long-distance hikes. After completing the Pacific Crest Trail, she couldn’t stop walking and is now trying her luck on ever more challenging trails (and on writing books about them).

You can follow Lies on Instagram @dielies or at her website: sixmillionsteps.eu

Originally, Linde grew up in The Netherlands, but after graduating she made the move Down Under and spent six years between Australia and New Zealand. This is where she truly found her love for nature. She’s a little silly, which resulted in embarking on a journey of a lifetime: Te Araroa. Without ever having done an overnight hike, she decided to hike the length of New Zealand and got swept off her feet by the beauty this country had to offer. In 2024 she moved back to her home country, a country without a single mountain. So instead of climbing summits and hiking in the backcountry, she does the next best thing: write about it!

You can follow Linde on Instagram @lindevanemmerik

Lisa Butler has been obsessively hiking long-distance trails for more than ten years. She’s covered more than 7,000km all over the world. She prefers to hike solo to give her a deeper connection to nature and encourages as many women as possible to hike and wild camp solo too. You can follow Lisa on Instagram @thruhikes.

Lisa is a keen long-distance hiker from Australia who has lived in Chile, Ecuador, and Greenland. She prefers trails with unobstructed views – so hiking in the Arctic, Patagonia, and at altitude. At the time of writing, she’s the trails manager for Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail as well as all the other shorter hiking trails in Qeqqata Municipality.

You can find out more about hiking in the region at: destinationarcticcircle.com or follow Lisa on Instagram at @lisagermanyphotography

Luke Martin, from Long Island, New York, recently graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Administration. Embracing an adventurous lifestyle, he enjoys hiking, camping, and photography. Luke also advocates for food allergy awareness, a cause close to his heart due to his own severe allergies. His extensive travels have profoundly enriched his appreciation for global cultures, deepening his understanding of diverse human connections and traditions.

You can follow Luke on Instagram @luke_martinnn or his photography account @_lifeofluke

Lyubomir (Lubo) was born on the coast of the Black Sea in Burgas, Bulgaria. He has lived in many countries (Kuwait, Greece, U.S.A., U.K., Spain, currently in Denmark). Living 12 years in Asturias, northern Spain, gave him direct contact with life on the Camino de Santiago.

A dream of his was to have a pilgrimage route in Bulgaria. The discovery of the relics of St.John the Baptist on an island on the coast of the Black Sea, studied and examined in Oxford and Copenhagen, gave him the endpoint of an authentic pilgrimage route. It is now based on the ancient Via Pontica and the route between Constantinople and western Europe, ending in Sozopol – a town older than Rome, where the relics are kept.

Together with Hristina, his wife, whom he met on Camino de Santiago, he started this project in the fall of 2025.

Camino Bulgaria is now a marked route through Strandzha parks, reserves, beaches and untouched nature. The route was opened officially in June 2026. There is a pilgrim passport and an “Ioannia” certificate, and a network of places to stay. The route is already part of Camino Europa Compostela and on the verge of being recognized as a European Cultural Route.

Maaike is a passionate hiker and outdoor enthusiast from the Netherlands. She completed the John Muir Trail solo in the summer of 2022—her first solo thru-hike, and a truly wild adventure. From unpredictable weather and remote terrain to tricky river crossings, the trail tested her in every way. Along the journey, she also discovered the warm and social nature of American hiking culture.

Since then, Maaike has continued to chase long-distance trails, including the Grande Traversée des Alpes (640 km) in 2021 and 2023, and the Nordkalottleden in 2024. You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @Maaike.to.the.End

Maja grew up in Bavaria. Her outdoorsy parents inspired her to start adventuring and backpacking as a teenager. After adventures in Scandinavia and Patagonia, she thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023 and has her eyes set on the Triple Crown. If she doesn’t hike, she runs: you can follow Maja on Instagram @running.pdf

Marco Koevoets was born below sea level in the world’s flattest country: the Netherlands. Marco has a passion for traveling and nature, especially coastal or island hikes. You can follow Marco on Instagram @marcokoevoets

Marloes is on a mission to unite women hikers in the Haarlem area in the Netherlands – community is everything! She has hiked the Kerry Way, the Iceland Trail, the Lee Trail, the Mullerthal Trail, and the Madeira Crossing. Marloes is dedicated to finding the best gear to level up each hike and is always on the lookout for her next adventure. You can follow her on Instagram @justatotalstranger

Meet Mathilde, a nature lover born and raised on Réunion Island. She knows the island’s mountains like the back of her hand and always has her white dog, Moka, by her side. When she’s not soaking in the views, she’s training for her next trail running competition. Splitting her time between Réunion and Brussels, Mathilde loves exploring Europe’s hiking trails, especially the Alps, her absolute favorite. You can find her on Instagram  @fox.mathilde

Matt Waugh hails from Scotland but has traveled extensively since leaving high school, covering treks all around the world.

He first arrived to Peru and to the mountains in 2006, and from then was hooked on trekking in the Andean landscapes. Initially covering the more popular routes such as the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, but then on to other lesser-known routes and Inca trails.  He now runs his own sustainable tour and trek agency centered on trekking with stays in local villages along the way. Wishing travelers to gain cultural immersion and insight into the local traditions such as farming, textiles, and shamanic rituals associated with the culture.

For more information or to book with him, email info@southandestravel.com.

Merle is an outdoor enthusiast who’s passionate about hiking, rock climbing, mental health, and sustainability. Born in Germany but at home in the world, she’s hiked trails in New Zealand (Abel Tasman Coast Track, Kepler Track), Europe (Rota Vicentina/ Fishermen’s Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc, GR20 Corse, Kungsleden… ), and the Balkans (Peaks of the Balkans). Over the years she became a bit of a nerd, constantly improving her gear for upcoming hikes, such as GR11 Spain, Tour des Ecrins, Te Araroa, and the Transcaucasian Trail.

You can follow Merle on Instagram @merlewunderkind.

Mick Wadley is the founder of Skorcha Organic Suncare and SEO Specialist at HarpoonB2B, who writes about everything related to suncare, organic goodness, and conservation. He launched Skorcha in 2023 after a decade of working outdoors and personal experience with skin cancer. His goal is to share what he has learned about skin health and safe ingredients, encouraging healthier lives and inspiring people to enjoy the outdoors. You can follow him on LinkedIn.

Albert and Monica are licensed AIMG guides and Senior Polar Guides by PTGA, combining their passions for the outdoors, the polar regions, and high mountains. With backgrounds rooted in exploration (Albert behind the camera, capturing the raw essence of each journey, and Mónica driven by a lifelong love for climbing, skiing, and wild terrain), they’ve built a life around sharing remote, meaningful adventures with others. Together they run Amarok Adventures, designing and guiding the kind of expeditions they’d choose for themselves: authentic, challenging, and deeply connected to the landscapes they love. You can follow them on Instagram @amarokadventures.

Monika & Jakub are a couple from Poland (Kraków) who love hiking! They are also interested in bikepacking, wild camping, and outdoor photography. They specialize in the Dinaric Alps (Balkan countries) and Polish trails. You can follow Jakub & Monika on Instagram @_bry_dzia_ & @de_moniqua

Ofri Ben Zvi has always felt at home in the outdoors, spending his free time hiking, climbing, trail running, and camping. With a degree in geophysics and years of experience in informal education, he brings together a love of nature, learning, and people. Today, he runs a travel company in Greece focused on creating meaningful experiences that connect nature, culture, and local communities. You are welcome to contact him at @Nomiaexperience

Pamela Brown is the Director of Communications at the Appalachian Mountain Club. She has been to two of the eight AMC High Mountain Huts so far, with designs to catch them all. You can learn more about the Appalachian Mountain Club at outdoors.org

Pat is a self-proclaimed “covid hiker” and has never turned back. Having kicked off when it was the only available option, he’s since hiked all over the world with a specific love of the Alps and Himalayas. On his list are the cultural trails in Japan and the Jordan trail, but currently residing in Canada is giving him all his hiking needs for now. You can follow Pat on Instagram @pg_tips.

Paulien van der Werf has loved camping from a young age, but her love for long-distance trails grew when she was 23. That hiking trip in Scotland ignited a love for hiking, wild camping, and remote areas so strong that she left her job and apartment behind to become a full-time hiker and – later – cyclist. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @outdoorinspiratie.

Pepijn is an ecologist who fell in love with tramping while exploring New Zealand. Living and working in the Netherlands, he tries to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Multi-day hikes are his favorite way to discover new landscapes and habitats. He especially enjoys island trails and the thrill of crossing swingbridges.

Philipp Eilmer was born in Austria, a country known for the breathtaking landscapes of the Alps and unspoiled nature. He thrives in the outdoors and his curiosity leads him to explore the wonders of nature by foot. He loves the untamed trails of North America and finds solace under the beauty of star-covered skies, whether sleeping in his tent or embracing the rugged simplicity of cowboy camping. You can follow Philipp on Instagram @phips_snowcat

Pradeep is a passionate solo hiker residing in Eindhoven, a vibrant city in the Netherlands. He enjoys traveling and shooting pictures of big rocks. When he’s not gallivanting through the wilderness, he’s often found contemplating unemploying himself and bringing dishonor to his Asian ancestors. You can follow Pradeep on Instagram @the.tipsy.professor.

Ever since he discovered long-distance hiking and thru-hiking a few years ago, Rob finds himself more and more attracted to life on trail. Intrigued by the simplicity and beauty of everyday life, the Dutchman has so far hiked Camino Finisterre, The Müllerthal Trail, The West Highland Way, and Grand Route 01 Santa Maria. You can follow Rob on Instagram @rob.dormans.

Blessed with the blissful curse of wanderlust, Roel has built his life around adventurous travel since 2018. He can either be found roaming remote wilderness or on the outskirts of mass tourism, hunting for unique experiences among worn-out tourist trails. Over the years, his ambition to become a full-time travel writer has led him to explore trails and adventurous destinations all over the world. You can follow his adventures on Instagram @beatthetrail or via his website.

I am an active, fit, curious, lifetime British hiker living in the Netherlands. As an ex-teacher educator who retired in 2024, long-distance hiking has taken a more front-seat place in my life recently. I have enjoyed trails including the Torres del Paine O hike in Chile, the Cordillera Huayhuash and Machu Picchu in Peru, the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, the Beara Way in Ireland, the Lycian Way in Turkey, the Saint Benedict Way in Italy and the Peaks of the Balkans (Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo). I like writing slow, purposeful travel pieces for the older female solo traveller – like me.

You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosietannernl

Sancia Gimbel, born and raised in Germany, has always searched for her next adventure. Having predominantly traveled solo, she is well acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of being a solo hiking woman. Having hiked several trails all over Europe, her favorite place (and biggest adventure) is still Scotland.

Her current plan is to explore South America, mostly through backpacking and hiking in Patagonia, and North America through road trips and hiking over the next few years. You can follow her adventures on Instagram!

Sarah Busby is a British freelance editor based in Cornwall. Happiest when on a long-distance trail, she aims to spend at least two to three months each year hiking. Highlights of the last ten years include the Pacific Crest Trail in America, the W Trek in Patagonia, the Annapurna Sanctuary and Poon Hill trails in Nepal, the GR10 across the Pyrenees, the GR5 from Geneva to Nice, the Via Alpina in Switzerland, the Lycian Way in Turkey, the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk in Spain, the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way in Scotland, and the Pennine Way in England. You can follow Sarah on Instagram.

Rayu is a solo hiker at heart. She has hiked in the wilds of Canada, embarked on freestyling through Montenegro and Latvia, and has also hit the beaten track of Kungsleden, Rota Vicentina and the Jordan Trail, among others. She is a certified hike & survival instructor, and also runs the all-round preparation process for the Fjällräven Classic Sweden and gives workshops. Be sure to check out her website: hikenbeginthier.nl.

Sifre van Teeffelen is a PhD student based in Lyon, originally from the Netherlands. She loves to hike because it connects her to the fascinating natural world, and reaching destinations solely by the power of her feet has something special about it. She hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2024 and has explored many trails across Europe.

Enthusiastic and adventurous, she thrives on challenges, both in the laboratory and in the great outdoors. You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @sifrevanteeffelen. 

Silvie Asler was born in Berlin with no mountains far and wide. However, as soon as she moved to Switzerland for a job, she immediately fell in love with the country and its mountains. She spends her free time  in the Alps or the Dolomites, whenever possible with her family. She particularly likes multi-day hut-to-hut hikes and her life goal is to visit every of the official SAC mountain huts in Switzerland. You can follow Silvie on her blog, on Facebook or on Instagram.

Sofia Rosendo was born in Portugal, by the sea. It was not until a later date that she found the mountains and fell in love. From the Alps to the Andes and several stops in the Himalayas, she is still trying to find her favorite mountain. You can follow Sofia on Instagram @berrygirltravels.

Stiina is an IML-qualified mountain leader and an experienced long-distance hiker. Together with her partner Kris, they love to explore trails all around the world, learning more about themselves with every adventure.

Sylvia and Joyce were born in The Netherlands and found each other in 2020 during COVID.

Both enjoying a good hike, they started backpacking together. It started small with weekend trips. As their wedding gifts, they asked for backpacking gear and this made their first long backpack trip possible in January 2023: the Walk of Wisdom. Now, a few years later, they enjoy trails and thru hikes all over Europe and maybe soon, all over the world. You can follow Sylvia and Joyce on Tiktok.

Hello there, my name is Taras, born in Ukraine. My hiking experience started almost 10 years ago when I moved to the Czech Republic – a beautiful country with cozy trails. Hiking in the Czech Republic, according to my observations, offers a diverse and picturesque experience, with well-marked trails, which get you through lush forests, rolling hills, and cute villages. My main approach is day hikes and multi-day hikes (up to 4 days now) across Europe. Two years ago I started to gain some running experience and via ferrata. I’m also interested in developing an adequate tourism community for all hikers. 🙂

You can follow me on Instagram!

Tiina has been running, hiking, and describing trails for over a decade. She grew up in the Baltics, which instilled her with love for forest trails, wild swimming, and foraging. Outside of her day job as a product designer, she regularly competes in endurance running races and enjoys exploring the UK and European trails on foot. You can follow Tiina on Instagram @tiinagolub.

Yanyan Yan (3Y) was born in China. She lived in London for 10 years and Helsinki for one year before she moved to Australia 5 years ago. She is now a yoga teacher and a massage therapist in the beautiful yoga and surf town of Byron Bay, Australia. She fell in love with hiking, especially long distance, when she was studying in London.

Some of her favorite hikes include Nepal Everest Base Camp, Chile Patagonia Torres Del Paine W trek, Camino De Santiago trek, Tour De Mont Blanc, Peru Inca Trail Machu Picchu trek, Kilimanjaro trek, and more. You can follow Yanyan on Instagram @yoga_yanyanyan

Ynzo is a newbie Dutch hiker with a bad case of gadget-ritis, so it’s advisable not to start talking about newly released ultralight hiking gear. It might cost you the rest of your day. His big, hairy goal is to thru-hike the PCT in a few years.