Discover how we came to exist
In 2013 Anne Arran and Ruth Jenkins conspired to create some escape treks, mainly in the French and Spanish Pyrenees following routes of escapees on “the Freedom Trail” or Chemin de la Liberté. We were moved by the stories and challenges faced and in 2014 Freedom trail Treks came to be. Swapping a former life as a professional climber and expedition lover, Anne decided it was time to start creating some more easily accessible but yet inspiring treks offering real “lifetime achievement” value. This has now broadened to escape treks in other locations and also iconic peaks. We had both come from a background of high-level climbing and were used to training and solving problems from having competed on the British climbing team. Ruth went on to be a stunt woman.
“We really wanted and were inspired by the concept of people raising money and the walking being for a purpose with a tangible benefit not just a walk.” and also putting something back into local mountain communities. This move into travel was also partly inspired by a desire to overcome the loss of exploratory expedition time with the arrival of daughter Amelie. In my 30’s I had loved travelling to over 40 countries in the world to expedition climb … though sometimes it was both uncomfortable and tough. Exploring remote parts of Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Jordan, the Himalayas and Mongolia to make new ascents meant going on a real journey each time, often being away for 3 to 6 weeks at a time, and even evading capture…. I missed it! Making, planning first ascents and finding out how to successfully access difficult and remote locations was exciting and trek planning to enable our clients goals to be achieved was a real motivator. So here we are.”
Adventure Travel is our passion
We specialise in inspired mountain adventures to bring home the best memories of stunning locations and everything that comes with living the adventure in style. We have travelled to over 40 countries around the world on expedition or in a more luxurious manner, so we really do have passion and experience to select original and fascinating itineraries.
Tailor-make your escape with an array of activities to meet your individual goals and expectations. Our team is very interested in fascinating stories that bring history back to life and I guess that is what makes us different. Environmental sustainability is also a big interest that it feels more and more important to learn about as we go along to preserve our environment and see communities develop as they wish, being sensitive to nature and our world.
Quality is highly important to us. We have experienced everything we offer and have researched every detail of our itineraries to offer you the most rewarding journey imaginable!
Our Team
We are a small company with a CEO and various talented contractors including Delia and Simone in the “office” and Jeremy in media and web and various exceptional guides who know their itineraries inside out and have a genuine interest in the history and culture of what we are about to undertake. From time to time we take in specialists with great training backgrounds such as Sean James 8,000m and Everest leader to help plan and deliver some of the higher objectives or iconic summits. We offer guidance to help get you ready for your objective. Join us!
Anne Arran Co-founder and owner
Anne is a former British climbing champion and since then has lead ground breaking expeditions in over 35 countries around the world including big-wall rock climbing the world’s highest free drop waterfall, Angel Falls. She has climbed Europe’s highest mountains Mont Blanc in the west and Elbrus in the east as well as finding new lines on some 6,000m peaks in Asia. Passionate about travel for a reason and seeing people smile.
She represents the UK and BMC on the UIAA www.theuiaa.org as representative for Europe and is a qualified international mountain leader as well as being a former President of BAIML, the British Association for International Mountain Leaders.
Join us to share the adventure – we can work together to create something special for you! Anne
Our Guides and office team
We work with a variety of local guides, particularly in the Pyrenees, who we value tremendously including Dave Norris, Bertrand Chevalier and Jonnie M.
Having spent my 20’s serving as a Royal Marines Commando Jonnie has gained a huge range of experience, learnt both on operations and overseas exercises and expeditions. Now, having traded in his coveted Green Beret he has started a new life focusing his energy is toward Outdoor Education & Instruction and leading Expeditions both in the UK and internationally as an International Mountain Leader award holder.
Bertrand is a local accompagnateur who is excellent with groups and knows his local patch well.
Sean James
Sean has led over 14 8000m expeditions that include Everest 2015, 17, 18 and 19, Broad Peak, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, Mount Kenya, Spantik, Baruntse, Mera Peak, Ama Dablam, Ojos del Salado, Patagonia, Damavand, Elbrus, Dych Tau, Mount Logan, Island Peak, Ecuador plus many others.
Sean is based in the French Pyrenees, Font Romeu and Dubai, spending most of the year working as a mountain guide in the Himalaya, Andes, Asia, Africa… He has also climbed Manaslu and Gasherbrum II without oxygen and is highly personable with a huge amount of client experience.
Ruth Jenkins
Ruth JenkinsRuth was the first British woman in the UK to climb the grade of 8b and the fourth woman in the world to achieve this level. She was in the British Climbing Team from 1992 – 1996, and subsequently joint Manager of the British Climbing Team. She has 15 years experience as a climbing and outdoor instructor, is an International Mountain Leader and has climbed 6000m peaks. She combines this with work as a stuntwoman for film and television with appearances in Inception, Harry Potter and Bat Man. Prior to this she worked as a Youth Worker and also has qualifications in Personal Training and Massage, as well as Kayaking. Ruth is once again moving to the Pyrenees so you can expect to see her in 2024.
Delia Bintley
Delia is our Trek Manager and PA to Anne Arran. She has much experience in the ski industry as well as being able to cater impeccably for all our food needs while trekking in the Pyrenees. She really enjoys bringing things together and her attention to detail is excellent. You will meet Delia virtually along your journey to enjoying a trek with us.
Corinne H
Corinne is our karma queen and runs Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga classes and yoga holidays for all levels in her beautiful, peaceful studio and B&B: www.suryapyrenees.com. In warmer months classes are taught around the pool. Corinne is a Yoga Alliance qualified teacher and has been practising for over 25 years. She is speaks both English and French fluently. You can meet her on yoga treks and any well-being.
Simone Bowkett
Simone works with us compiling all the trek information we need to give you the best time possible and supports us with client liaison on the way to setting off on your adventure. She heads up the office if we are all out on the mountain and her creative approach can solve minor issues before they become problems. As a former actress, she has experience of working in many challenging and interesting environments across all sections of society in a charming manner which really helps! She has also supported her partners cycling event business as a complementary activity for the last few years and is experienced in bringing together bespoke logistics.
Zak and Ben
Zak and Ben add loads of events and filming experience to our team in the summer and are based here in the Pyrenees, loving every moment.
Making your adventure!
Who For and Why us?
Adventurous small groups, friends or families who would love to immerse themselves in real-life escape stories such as The WW2 Freedom Trail in the Pyrenees, Cathar history or an iconic peak or long-distance trail crossing borders. We have hosted authors and many people who have a personal family connection or professional interest in our journeys with a historical connection.
We encourage input into the itinerary on accommodation & style – we listen!
Fundraisers for worthy causes, businesses, and their teams. On these trips you will experience a story, fascinating real-life tales of escape and understand more of how the crossing fits together with escape lines and how events developed in the region. Get ready to achieve something incredible!