At Foot Trails, we’re not just about walking from A to B. We believe the journey is as important as the destination. Which is why we put so much effort into creating unique routes on local public footpath networks that showcase the stunning landscape of South West England at its very finest.
To find out more about how an idea for a trip becomes reality, I (Emma) sat down with Foot Trails Co-Founder & Trail Creator David Howell to ask him about how he created 2025’s new Wild Coast & Wild Moor trip.
E: How long does it take to create a new trip?
D: Generally about 18 months to 2 years.
E: Where do you start when you create a new trip?
D: All of our trips start from personal experiences that Alison and I have shared. Ones that have made us go ‘we’d love to share this with our Foot Trails guests’. We’re generally inspired by stunning scenery, nature, landscapes that are tied to great stories, and special places to stay. We aim for each of our trips to be a celebration of what makes that area special.
Then it’s all about taking the idea and looking at maps. I love paper maps so I’ll get myself the maps for the area, spread them out and start to read the landscape and how the footpaths interact with it.
E: Once you’ve completed the planning phase, what comes next?
D: A recce! We’ll already have experienced some of the area but we need to head on out, visit some of the highlights and take some short walks to assess how it all feels. Is it welcoming, inspiring and comfortable? We’ll also look into some of the ‘obstacles’ that studying the maps have revealed, looking for ways to solve them.
E: How do you turn your notes into step-by-step Trail Guides for guests to follow?
D: Our trail guides are a visual description of the walk, describing features and places to look out for. To create them I’ll rewalk a route in my memory, using the map and my notes as prompts.
E: Why did you choose Exmoor/North Somerset for Foot Trails’ newest trip Wild Coast & Wild Moor?
D:Alison and I have visited the area a few times over the last 25 years. Then about 4 years ago I took a solo hike over 4 days, starting on the coast and moving across the moor, wild camping as I went. Immersed in the landscape I was totally inspired. These wild landscapes were stunning and full of contrast to most of South West England. When some long-time guests said they wanted to return in 2025 and would love to see somewhere different, it was an instant ‘I would love to show them Exmoor’.
FT: What sets Wild Coast & Wild Moor apart from other trips in the Foot Trails portfolio?
We want each trip to be a celebration of an area, telling its story and showcasing its landscapes. Wild Coast & Wild Moor has so much that is unique, from the small coastal communities on the ‘Severn Sea’, to the relics of bronze-age settlements up on the moor. Free of modern development and roads it has a remoteness and wildness too.
When’s the best time of year to walk Wild Coast & Wild Moor?
D: It’s a trail that can be enjoyed from late March to early November, but Exmoor really shines in autumn. Misty, moody and full of gold colour and tones. Much of the coastline is shrouded in woodland which looks especially stunning in autumn colour. There are other autumn highlights too, such as the many wild deer in the area. October is when the rutting season generally peaks, and the evenings draw in which means you don’t have to stay up too late to admire the night skies, Exmoor is a ‘Dark Skies Reserve’.
If you’d like to know more about our new Wild Coast & Wild Moor trip, visit our website page or send us an email.
