Linked to each route page you will find a picture of the Route Adviser, the person who lives in the area, suggested the route and developed it with us.  A list of all our advisers is on this page.

 

But no walk could ever reach our brochure until it has been rigorously tested and graded by Simon (with map, mobile and beer, above, in the Czech Republic after a morning’s work).

 

The final stage is undertaken by our doughty “pioneers”.  Friends and early customers, these are people who set off to test the newly created walk using Simon’s directions, maps and the notes we have created. They pick up the final hitches so the route is ready for you!  At regular intervals thereafter, we send out these Trusties to check the inevitable changes, and to suggest ways the routes can be improved.

 

 

New Route Advisers and pioneers needed

 

The critical attributes of a potential Route Adviser are that he or she must live in the area, have a strong interest in its landscape and culture, be able to think flexibly, have the inclination to put in the hard work that is needed to plan the route, and time to look after our clients should anything go amiss during their holiday.

 

If you know someone who lives somewhere lovely in Europe, as a native or an ex-pat, and who might be interested in becoming a Route Adviser, ask him or her to contact Simon, at On Foot, by Email or telephone.

 

New Pioneers are also needed.  If you have been on one of our walks and would like to test new (or re-test existing) walks, and have an enjoyable time in the process, contact Simon.

 

Our team at home

 

Our friendly team is just a call or an email away so please contact us to discuss any route or travel-related issues. You will normally be able to talk immediately to someone who has first-hand knowledge of the route you are interested in.

 


Back row: Clare, Simon, Mary

Front row: Karen, Debbie, Fiona

 

And meet Meg…our Transport Researcher

 

Meg is our Transport Researcher and she helps keep all our transport information right up to date. So, if you’re in need of help or advice about how to find the best flights or rail travel to get you to the start of a walk (and back home again!), please get in touch with us.

 


Meg taking a rest on Besalu bridge, Catalonia

 

 

Route Advisors (and how we work)

 

Croatia
Hilltop Towns of Green Istria
Route designed by

Vladimir Benas

Vladimir (Vlado) has worked in the tourist industry for the last 40 years both with groups and independent clients as well as special interest tours and activities. He and his family now run a travel agency in Moscenicka Draga.
Western Slovenia
Landscapes of Western Slovenia
Route designed by

Janez Golob

Retired architect Janez Golob was born in Celje, eastern Slovenia. Living in Ljubljana, he teaches woodworking, is a mountain climber, mountain rescue team member, and mountain guide, and has trekked and climbed in the Slovenian Alps and elsewhere.
Bohemia
Countryside of the Northern Borderlands
Route designed by
Jan Petera & Lubo Hoska
Both Lubomir and Jan are lovers of nature, and walking and are keen on maintaining the natural heritage for future generations. Lubomir has his own travel agency.
Andalucia
White villages of the Ronda Mountains
Route designed by

Guy Hunter-Watts

Guy Hunter-Watts has lived in a small village at the edge of the Grazalema Park for 19 years.
He is now writing guide books full time, and is the author of “Walking in Andalucia" and “Small Hotels and Inns of Andalucia”.

 
Mount Pelion
Across the peninsula to the Aegean
Route designed by

Valentina Grigorieva and Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos

Before moving to Greece, Valentina studied languages and lived in the foothills of the Ural mountains. Dimitrios is a retired engineer and member of the Volos Alpine Club in Greece.
Catalonia
Quiet byways of the Garrotxa
Route designed by

Mike Lockwood

Mike Lockwood has lived in Catalonia for 23 years and now lives in the middle of Besalú. He is a wildlife and walking guide, author of the 'Sunflower' walking guide to the area and designed much of the network of historical paths that this tour follows. He is fluent in Catalan and Spanish. 

Alpes Maritimes
From the Alps to the Mediterranean
Route designed by

Richard Petitjean

Richard came to the Côte d’Azur to study tourism and has lived here for 24 years working as a licensed Tour Guide. Since 60% of the French flora is represented in this area, Richard’s keen interest in botany is put to the best possible use.
Lycian Way
Along the Turquoise Coast to the lighthouse
Route designed by

Kate Clow

Kate Clow is the author of "The Lycian Way", the definitive guide to the long distance walk she created herself, with the help of the people of the region of Antalya, which she has made her home for the last 20 years. A keen botanist and student of the history of the Middle East.
East Slovenia
Little Vineyards of the Kozjansko Hills
Route designed by

Janez Golob

Retired architect Janez Golob was born in Celje, eastern Slovenia. Living in Ljubljana, he teaches woodworking, is a mountain climber, mountain rescue team member, and mountain guide, and has trekked and climbed in the Slovenian Alps and elsewhere.
Germany
Fairytale Castles and Two Great Rivers
Route designed by

Peter Münch

Peter is a practising architect, living in Neuhäusel with his family, in a woodland house he built himself. He is one of nature's wanderers, never happy unless exploring new countries, new paths, and finding out about new cultures.
Slovakia
A Taste of Hidden Slovakia
Route designed by

Martin Koska & Veronika Koskova

Martin and Veronika met in the local Silvicultural University in Banska Stiavnica. They live in Banska Bystrica, and work as guides and travel agents, mainly for the British market.
French Alps
Le Pays du Mont Blanc
Route designed by

Lizzy Ashley Cooper

Lizzy grew to love Mont Blanc and the surrounding area so much that she has made it her home. She regularly walks the paths and routes in the forests, mountain slopes and meadows, with their abundant flora and other wildlife. She is a keen ski tourer.
Northern Portugal
The hill country of Peneda Geres
Route designed by

Paul and Denise Burton 

The Burtons have lived in Northern Portugal for over 25 years and have been keen walkers ever since arriving in the area.  They are the authors of Sunflower’s "Landscapes of Northern Portugal". 

Julian Alps (guided)
The emerald river and the magical lake
Route designed by

Janez Golob

was born into a woodworker's family, later earned a degree in architecture and taught technical subjects at a secondary wood engineering school. Now in retirement, Janez still designs unique woodturning products.

 

He is a mountain rescue team member and a mountain guide and has a thorough knowledge of Slovenian and foreign mountains. He has climbed in the Alps, the Caucasus and was a member of two Himalayan expeditions.

 

Designing this route and leading parties is a natural challenge for Janez, since it is, in his words,

 

“about introducing new people to the part of Slovenia that has rich history and an unspoilt environment”.

 
Hungary
Rambles through the Balaton Uplands
Route designed by

Gyorgy Zsiga and Erzsébet Penzes

 

Gyorgy ("George") is already known to On Foot walkers as a map designer for Kate Clow's Lycian Way book, and in between spends his time travelling and pondering life. His partner in this venture, Erzsébet, is a tourism don at the Univerity of Pannonia, who when not also raising two young daughters, assisted in the project.