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 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 highl-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.
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!
Here is an example of the research we do:
Touching History. A fighter pilot’s inspiration
Through Rich’s service in the Royal Air Force, which coincidently also included serving at Honington, and subsequent contact with ex-colleagues, his work with groups following the WW2 escape routes and a new project partnership Gilles Collaveri together we have literally unearthed a remarkable story.
The 364th Fighter Group flew 342 missions in P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs from Honington, Suffolk, England. Their tasks ranged from escorting bombers and dive-bombing and strafing targets to area patrol missions across a swathe of land that took in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
Capt Paul S Miller had served 3 years 2 months by this point, flying 96 combat missions in the Pacific Theatre. This was to be his third sortie in the European Theatre of Operations. Capt Miller took off in a P38 fighter from Honington (Troston) at approximately 10h00 on March 5th 1944 on a fighter escort mission to Bordeaux, SW France. Miller had encountered German fighters, seemed to have damaged fuel tanks because he had insufficient ‘gas’ to make it back to England. His leader instructed him to fly south, to head for Spain. A lonely, desperate journey began. Near Orthez, chased by FW190s, Miller was flying on fumes, so he had to quickly choose a suitable landing site….
Sunday 24th January 2021, Escos, SW France.
On the left is a gentleman who on that Sunday, 5th March 1944 sat, as a four-year-old, in the cockpit of Capt Miller’s P38 fighter that had just crash-landed, successfully, largely intact on the spot where he now stands. So inspired by the experience, he went on to become a Mirage/Jaguar pilot himself.
Capt MILLER himself had that Sunday just ran into the woods beyond, to begin an amazing escape, helped by local families, a 5-day route of 80+km 4000m+/- height difference over the local hills and mountains to Spain.
His escape story can be found below.
We managed yesterday to find small pieces of aluminum that we believe are from Miller’s P38, which had been dismantled and cut-up by the German military in the field. The pieces found will be analysed in Toulouse to hopefully verify the origin of manufacture was indeed the USA. We hope in the near future to enable Capt Miller’s daughter and grandchildren to visit this site and to follow the steps and stops, the small local stories of their father/grandfather’s exploits, and of those who so bravely helped him on his way.
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 led groundbreaking expeditions in over 35 countries around the world including big-wall rock climbing the world’s highest free drop waterfall, Angel Falls as the first female ascent over 19 days and 12 nights on the wall. 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. “I have long been interested in international relations and journeys across boarders for a reason. If you can help someone sense what it was like to flee their country, reconstruct or be brave in the face of adversity or overcome a personal challenge it can make things come alive and thrive. It is an interesting cocktail and to be able to help people in time of need or help people to raise money for an important cause creates a defining moment.”
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. My personal interest is that my real grandfather was a WW2 pilot and is buried in Highgate cemetery. I admire the resilience and bravery that many people showed in escaping and being involved in the escape networks.
Join us to share the adventure – we can work together to create something special for you! Anne
Office team
Delia – PA and Trek Manager
Delia has her own “restauration” company and helps us with food and more. She has had experience in the ski industry and has an excellent manner with clients as well as incredibly tasty food served in any location! Having her work with us is a pleasure! She can “man” the ship when we are busy in the mountains.
Simone B – Transport and Trek Manager
Simone works helping to pull everything together and has long experience in the film industry which helps in this work on managing the challenges of helping to pull the “show” together. As well as being adaptable she is very personable and brings with her experience of logistics in mountain cycling events.
Richard Prime
Richard has helped us on logistics and transport in the past with large groups and has put his RAF background to good use and is a great sounding board for developing new adventures over the last 9 years!
He is now focusing on his accommodation business and his interest in WW2 history. He recently assisted members of Paul Millers family meet families of the resistance who helped him across the border.
John Arran
John is a huge logistical help and has worked in remote and hostile environments for the UN. His planning skills and logical mind are second to none in working out “the plan.” He is also a very strong rock climber and route setter with a large experience of trekking in jungle and mountain environments. He puts back into the local climbing scene in France by setting new routes. He has security in the field training.
He led a team to make the first free ascent of Angel Falls main wall, the world’s highest free drop waterfall, at the 3rd time of asking in Venezuela as well as climbing or freeing new peaks or walls in China, Pakistan and more.
Ben and Zak
Two new and excellent members of the team. More to follow on them. They both have experience working on sporting events and film.
Our Guiding Team
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. He has climbed all of the Pyrenees 3000m peaks and is currently working on 4000m peaks in alpine areas. He stays fit doing iron man races and triathlon when he has time.
Paul Williams
Paul has an in-depth knowledge and passion for the Chemin de la Liberté and WW2 history. 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, 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 and “educateur sportif.”
Jonnie M
Jonnie is a former Royal marines’ commando and has a calm, strong presence. He has lead treks in many locations around the world and has an interest in climate change and the environment. More to follow…
Ruth 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. Since moving to Spain Ruth helps to co-ordinate our UK courses and also Spanish treks in the Siurana area.
Bertrand Chevalier
Bertrand is a local international mountain leader, accompagnateur en montagne et 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. He is also a rock and a great person to work with!
Dave has been an active mountaineer for several years and see the outdoors as a vast classroom for teaching and learning.
During my time I have climbed and worked in Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Germany, Morocco, Spain, South of France, French – Swiss Alps, Africa and UK.
Currently living in the South of France and running a business with his wife Louise he holds the International Mountain Leader (IML) at Lesparrou Retreats and Adventure. Being situated in the Midi Pyrenees it is a fantastic location for all mountaineering activities without the crowds. He also provides great winter skills courses here in the Pyrenees.
David Norris and Louise Chandler are International Mountain Leaders with a wealth of experience leading a variety of groups in mountains all over the world. Louise and Dave also own the Lesparrou Retreats accommodation near Lavlanet and take care of foster dogs.
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.
Christel Christina Langeveld
“My free spirit has led me to wonderful places all over the world, connect with the most fantastic people, explore the wilds and gain the most fantastic experiences.
Over the last 20 years I have worked in many branches of the outdoors in a multitude of countries with a large variety of clients and have developed also in other areas related to nature for example as a practitioner in holistic therapies. Languages are a passion and you can talk to me in Spanish, German, French, Dutch, Basque and English! Christel is excellent to work with and has the following qualifications:
International Mountain Leader UIMLA, BASI International Ski Instructor ISIA, Single Pitch Award, Guia en Roca AEGM, INWA Nordic Walking Instructor, Trail Cycle Leader, Clinical Aroma therapist Indian Head Massage therapist. Christel works mainly in Switzerland but we wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again if she travels more.
Chris Pounds
Chris will now use his experience to help us with supplier arrangements and process rather than guiding. He is an International Mountain Leader (Accompagnateur en Montagne).
Making your adventure!
Who For?
Adventurous small groups who would love to emerse themselves in a real-life European escape story (The Freedom Trail, France Kalymnos – Greece, Spain and Andorra, Balkan escapes.)
Anyone who loves a stunning location, historical interest, likes the personal touch. We encourage input into the itinerary on accommodation & style – we listen!
Fund raising trips for businesses and their teams
On these trips you will experience a story, fascinating real life tales of escape. Get ready to achieve something incredible. We are more than happy to tailor the experience to your needs depending on levels of support for transporting kit etc. and accommodation styles to fit most budgets.
Why us & Where we go?
Specialist expertise
We offer first-hand experience to every destination;
Only the best guides and local partners used;
All holidays & challenges designed to suit individual needs – your experience comes first;
Before your trip we will be working hard to make it run as smoothly as possible to exceed expectations.
All our guides know the local history, culture and itinerary intimately and will enjoy communicating their knowledge with a smile.
Fully Protected
We offer 24/7 emergency contact;
We hold tour operator insurance with Campbell and Irvine and passenger payment protection with IPP London Ltd as Spa Adventure Treks Ltd to comply with UK Tour operator regulations;
Please do read our safety policy and “Who we support”. We believe that protecting the environment and supporting communities is essential.
As well as offering holidays and challenges directly we also happy to partner 3 large UK tour operators who trust us to deliver all ground support logistics and safe trips on the Freedom Trail route;
We welcome new contacts from people inspired by our ideas and trips!
Travelling in comfort
We select our hotels with great care. Not only have nearly all been inspected by members of our staff, but we have stayed in most of them. Hundreds of others have been seen and rejected. Obviously, comfort ranks high among our criteria, together with good service and warmth of welcome. We also set high priority on charm and style, and location is an important consideration. Most of the hotels we use are rated as 4-star, with some 5-star and a few 3-star (one is 2-star, but pleases every time).
We invest similar efforts in the selection of restaurants, menus and wines, aided by staff with a specialist knowledge of these areas.
It is also usually possible to make other variations to the package.
Small groups
Most of our tours run with between ten and twenty participants. We strictly limit numbers, specifying the applicable maximum in each tour description.
We also offer treats and treks for any number for special occasions, company retirement presents, family get togethers, holiday vouchers and challenge objectives and really for anything that strikes you as perfect for you.
We are all from a sporting background and have years of training behind us for running, climbing, mountaineering or skiing so are happy to assist with training programmes and taking you from beginner to cutting edge expeditions. We have loads of connections so if you don’t find something for you here we can either create it specially or recommend one of our colleagues. Keep exploring!
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Over the last 20 years I have worked in many branches of the outdoors in a multitude of countries with a large variety of clients and have developed also in other areas related to nature for example as a practitioner in holistic therapies. Languages are a passion and you can talk to me in Spanish, German, French, Dutch, Basque and English! Christel is excellent to work with and has the following qualifications: