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