Treks and expeditions with a story – Historic Escape route treks that cross borders and climb iconic peaks
We believe that life is too short not to explore — so 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 trails, which tell stories of bravery and resilience. Climb iconic summits and immerse in their challenges, culture stories. Join us in retracing the footsteps of past pioneers, honoring their spirit and celebrating their triumphs. Since our inception in 2014, we’ve helped over 600 people make their dreams of traversing the Freedom Trail a reality, while also traced paths for the descendants of those who dared to escape. Whether you embark on this solo or as a group, you’ll find a warm welcome awaiting you. Families are not just accommodated but encouraged to share in our adventures and we offer bespoke trips.Our guides have a passion for history, love nature, and have a wealth of global expedition and climbing experience from leading on the highest peaks to succeeding on new objectives in the world’s most remote places. They are dedicated to making your journey unforgettable.
Since our inception in 2014, we’ve helped over 600 people make their dreams of traversing the Pyrenees Freedom Trail a reality, while also tracing unknown or forgotten paths for descendants of those who dared to escape. The courage displayed by those who participated in underground networks or needed to move from one country to another deeply resonates with us.
Now, we extend the invitation to you to join us in 2024 or 2025.
Come, let us guide you through this unforgettable journey — where nature and history intertwineMeet 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 also a guide.
Delia
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
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
We work with a variety of local guides, particularly in the Pyrenees and have a team we value tremendously. Together with Anne and our team, we invite you to join us on an unforgettable journey where we can tailor an experience that’s truly unique to you. We’ll help you in creating memories that will last a lifetime. 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, 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!