Treks and expeditions with a story – Walk the Routes That Changed History
We believe that life is too short not to explore. Join us and embark on a once in a lifetime expedition or trek on a Freedom Trail or Chemin de la Liberté. Step into the pages of history on legendary WW2 escapes which tell stories of bravery and resilience. Climb iconic summits and immerse in their challenges. We begain at the end of 2013 with director Anne wanting to continue her expedition career and passion for exploraton while wanting to find a way to appreciate WW2 escapes and explore more people who needed to cross borders for a reason.Our guides
Our guides are qualified international mountain leaders and have a passion for history as well as a wealth of global expedition and climbing experience. Many have climbed peaks in the world’s most remote places. They are dedicated to making your journey unforgettable.
What we doSince our inception in 2014, we’ve helped over 700 people cross the Pyrenees on the Freedom Trail or Chemin de la Liberté, often tracing paths for descendants of those who dared to escape. While we are Pyrenees specialists we offer other peaks and cultural journeys ahave researched the routes and escape networks.
We offer- Programmed and Bespoke trips
- Small groups lead by qualified international mountain leaders
- Deep historical insights into paths walked to freedom
- Research into WW2 journeys – opportunities to walk in the footsteps of family history
- Educating all age groups about escape & evasion
- Providing a fundraising vehicle for charities or individuals
- A unique combination of adventure, education and rememberance
The Freedom Trail Community
Many of our trekkers arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Some groups stay connected for years via WhatsApp sharing stories, photographs and memories long after the expedition ends.
For some participants the journey is about adventure.
For others it is about family history, remembrance or understanding the past.
But for everyone, the Freedom Trail becomes an experience they never forget.
Meet Our Team
Our team of office staff, expedition leaders and in-country teams live and breathe adventure travel. When you are travelling across the world you want to make sure you are being looked after.Anne
As Director Anne Arran brings a wealth of experience and passion to our expeditions, having climbed in over 35 countries, including making challenging new ascents in the Venezuelan jungle, Jordan, Pakistan and China. She was part of the team making the first free ascent of Angel Falls main face, spending 12 nights on the wall which overhung by 50m in total. Anne has climbed Europe’s highest peaks, Mont Blanc in the West and Elbrus in the East. Her personal connection to freedom trails stems from working in post conflict countries and being inspired by her grandfather’s service as a WW2 pilot. She is also representative of the UK and BMC on the UIAA www.theuiaa.org and is a former President of the British Association for International Mountain Leaders and a guide. She loves researching and creating walks or climbs undertaken for a reason.
Delia
Owns her own catering company nestled in Ariège, Pyrenees, and is a valuable asset to our team, offering not only delicious meals, but invaluable assistance. With a background in the ski industry, she has a natural way with people, and offers consistently exceptional service wherever she operates. She effortlessly steers the ship when the rest of our team is busy on the mountains during the summer.
Simone
Formerly worked in the fashion and film industries for over 20 years. After living in London, New York, Paris and Milan, she found herself in the French Pyrenees.
She soon decided to move in 2014 with her young family, and then helped produce the highly acclaimed endurance cycling events, Further, with her partner. As well as being adaptable she is very personable and brings with her experience of logistics in mountain cycling events.Zak and Ben
Two new and excellent members of the team. Zak specialises in film and still camera work in remote access locations and has experience in reportage and support for outdoor events and in the fashion industry. Ben has a strong background in event organisation. Together they form a solid logistics backbone for our trips.
Jeremy
Jeremy sits in a dark office fixing IT problems while the team are on the mountain. He works in the banking industry as an IT professional.
Our Guides
Behind every Freedom Trail journey is a team of guides, researchers and local experts who share a passion for both mountains and history. We work with a variety of local guides, particularly in the Pyrenees and have a team we value tremendously. Our guides are UIMLA qualified. On occasion we may use a UIAGM guide.
Jonnie
Jonnie spent his twenties serving as a Royal Marines Commando, gaining outdoor experience on operations and expeditions. Now, having traded in his Green Beret, he has started a new life focusing his energy towards outdoor education and leading expeditions. He is a qualified International Mountain Leader and as well as guiding and he also contributes to product development.
Sean
Bertrand
Bertrand Chevalier is a local international mountain leader, accompagnateur en montagne, and professeur de Biodanza who has been working with us for the last 2 years. He is very connected to nature and knows how to put anyone at ease. He works locally on the environment and is a professional environmental engineer based in Occitanie.
David
Dave Norris has been an active mountaineer for several years and sees the outdoors as a vast classroom, utilised for teaching and learning. He has climbed and worked in Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Germany, Morocco, Spain, France, the Swiss Alps, Africa and the UK. David currently lives in the South of France with his wife Louise. He holds the International Mountain Leader (IML) and he provides great winter skills courses here in the Pyrenees!Paul
Paul Williams has an in-depth knowledge and passion for the Chemin de la Liberté and WW2 history. He has long been involved with the local community here in the Pyrenees. Apart from being a qualified guide he also runs historical tours of Carcassonne which we can offer as part of our treks. Always ready to share his wealth of knowledge, he has a peaceful yet engaging manner with resources developed over a number of years and has great local relations. He is a qualified IML. One thing is guaranteed when joining an adventurous trip or expedition – you are going to meet new friends that will stay with you for a long time. We have WhatsApp groups going for years!