TravelTrekker

Sam Culley is a content creator whose passion for adventuring and hiking runs deep—it's more than just a hobby; it's a way of life. Raised by two active parents who were eager to share their love for the outdoors, Sam often found himself trading footballs and video games for hiking boots and trails. It wasn’t until an unforgettable hike with his father, however, that his love for hiking truly took root, sparking a passion that has since led him to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. With a glimmer of excitement in his eyes and a smile on his face, Sam shares his top hiking spots, personal motivations, and the unforgettable moments that have shaped his journey.

The Beginning

Sam explains that, in the beginning, when his parents first tried to get him into hiking, he wasn’t that interested. ‘To be honest, it was more of a drag-me-along back then,’ he laughs. ‘I wanted to play football and on the PlayStation.’ But things changed when he was seventeen, after a two-week hike with his father on the Pennine Way, a 270-mile trek from Derby to Scotland. Sam recalls the experience fondly, noting, ‘The bag was bigger than me at the time!’ Reflecting on that hike, he adds, ‘From that moment, I realised, "This makes me feel good."’

From then on, Sam’s perspective shifted, and hiking slowly became a regular part of his life. He and his friends would head to the Lake District on weekends, taking on hikes like Scafell Pike. ‘It’s always been something that I’ve done,’ he says, reflecting on how hiking gradually became more than just an occasional activity.

As his passion grew, Sam decided to turn his experiences into something more, creating videos of his hikes. ‘In the last few years, I’ve been doing a lot bigger hikes,’ he shares, including the famous Land’s End to John o’Groats trek. Realising there was a gap in the market for accessible hiking content, he started posting his adventures. ‘I felt like I was maybe giving something of interest to people,’ Sam smiles. ‘It gave me a sense of purpose, making it a little easier for anyone to get out and do it.’

Places that Captured His Heart

When asked about his top five places to hike, Sam lights up. ‘That’s tricky but…’ he begins, immediately diving into the breathtaking scenery of the Alps. ‘I’ve been around the Mont-Blanc area, and pretty much anywhere in the Alps is just unbelievable scenery,’ he shares, noting the incredible landscapes across France and Switzerland. He laughs, recalling how hiking in New Zealand around Mount Cook left him in awe: ‘I’ve got some pictures that I look at and think, "This doesn’t look real." You post it and think, "No one’s going to believe that!"’

Sam then shifts to the UK, where he expresses his admiration for places that have truly blown his mind. ‘The Yorkshire Dales, for example—if you want to find waterfalls, that’s the spot! They’ve got so many amazing waterfalls,’ he says enthusiastically. ‘And if you want to climb mountains, you’ve got the Lake District, Snowdonia, and Scotland—there’s no end of choice.’ But his heart belongs to the Peak District. ‘I live right near it, and I’d say I’ve done about 60 to 70 percent of my hiking there,’ he explains.

He fondly describes one of his favourite hikes: ‘There’s a hike over to a place called Alport Castles near Ladybower Reservoir, and it’s definitely one of my favourite hikes. It’s out of the way, it’s quiet, and it’s really spectacular when you’re there.’

The Lake District also holds a special place in Sam’s mind. ‘Some of the mountains, some of the views, some of the bothies you can stay in up there, and the wild camping spots high up on the mountain—those things are just amazing,’ he shares.

He notes that creating content has encouraged him to discover even more incredible locations within the UK. ‘We’ve got a lot of stuff in the UK, and I think it’s helped me create videos because I have to look for more stuff to go and see, experience, and be able to video to make content. It’s opening my eyes,’ he explains. ‘I’ve been talking to people I know in different areas and asking, "What have you got near you that’s really cool?" Everyone’s been helping me out, giving me ideas, and things like that, which is awesome.’

Pushing Boundaries

When asked what keeps him pushing boundaries with hiking, Sam muses, ‘I’m always sort of looking to push myself to gain the feeling of accomplishment in life, I suppose.’ He reflects on how this desire for achievement led him to hiking: ‘I found my way to achieve that on my own, without having to rely on any external factors.’ He emphasises the importance of challenging oneself: ‘Pushing yourself at something in life gives you so much inner confidence, and if you can go out and do something that you haven’t done before—whether it’s a 30-minute hike or a 2-day hike—each time you do it, something gets a little stronger inside you.’

Sam notes that this process naturally leads to wanting more: ‘You know you can do something that’s difficult, and then you kind of want to go, “Ooh, I wonder if I can do something a little bit harder.”’ He stresses the value of self-reliance in building confidence: ‘It’s a really good way of genuinely build your self-confidence, especially when you go on hikes alone and come away thinking, “I achieved that, solely on my own.”’

While he acknowledges the benefits of hiking with others, he advocates for solo experiences as well: ‘I’m a real advocate of getting out to do a little bit on your own, so you can build that independence and also enjoy it when you’re with others.’

Preparing for Challenges

When asking Sam how he prepares for challenging hikes, his first advice is to start with planning the route. ‘Once I’ve decided a route, the first thing I do is get the right map for that route and make sure I can definitely access it when I’ve got no signal.’ He explains that figuring out the logistics comes next: ‘Can I park nearby? Do I need to walk and get a lift back?’ Once the logistics are in place, Sam begins packing his kit, always mindful to carry essentials: ‘The one thing I’ve taken away from my time in hiking is to always pack enough in my bag so that if I had to stay out for the night, I’d be alright.’

Sam’s kit includes the basics, like waterproofs—which are a must in Britain, regardless of the weather forecast—as well as a simple first-aid kit with blister plasters, Vaseline for chafing, and a tick-removing card. He also packs an extra fleece or warmer top, sometimes even lending them to friends who get cold. As a content creator, camera gear is essential too, including a drone and a tripod for filming.

But the most important thing Sam packs is food and water, a lesson he learned the hard way on a hike with his dad. ‘On day two of the Pennine Way, about 15 miles in, I’d eaten all my food, my dad’s leftovers, and drank all my water. I hit the wall—I physically couldn’t move.’ After searching their bags and finding nothing, he had to hold on to his dad’s backpack for seven miles. ‘I’m glad it happened because it’s never happened again,’ he laughs. Now, Sam always packs high-energy snacks like Kendal Mint Cake, energy drinks, and at least a couple of litres of water. ‘I try to eat healthy if I can, but I make sure I’ve got enough to get me through. You always want to carry enough that, if something went wrong and you had to stay out for the night, you’d be safe—even if you’re not comfortable.’

The Moments that Stay With Him

In all his hikes, Sam shares that there are countless moments of discovering new places. ‘You just can’t believe it’s there in front of you, and you’re like, “What’s this?” But there’s so many of them,’ he laughs. However, it’s the encounters with animals that truly stand out. ‘The big ones that stick with me are definitely when animals feel more comfortable with you being around—they get closer and more inquisitive.’

He explains how spending days in nature changes the dynamic: ‘When I go on a longer-distance hike, and I’ve been camping outside for a few days, I think you start to smell more like nature. And when that happens, animals start to approach you more.’ One memorable occasion involved a deer that walked unusually close to him in the forest. ‘I’d spotted the deer and thought, “He’s going to bolt any second,” but he didn’t. We just walked along together—not side by side, but within ten metres of each other. I thought, “This never happens!”’

Sam recounts another moment while sitting in his tent, when a flock of birds landed nearby. ‘I was just sitting there, and they all came down and sat around me. I remember thinking, “Are you guys staying here too, or...?”’ He laughs at the memory, clearly fond of these moments that bring him closer to nature.

For Sam, these interactions are a reminder of how immersive being in nature can be, especially when the animals start to treat you as part of their environment.

Lessons from the Trail

When asked if he’s learned anything unexpected about himself while hiking, Sam reflects, ‘I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that, realistically, my body will pretty much do anything I ask of it. It’ll hurt, and sometimes it’ll hurt more than I ever imagined, but the unexpected thing is that you can actually do way more than you’d think.’

He explains that his perspective has changed over time as his physical accomplishments grew. Initially, the idea of walking ten miles seemed like a big goal, but now he’s tackled much greater challenges: ‘I’ve walked 50 miles in one day before, and I never thought that would be possible. But the more you push yourself, the more you realise just how much you’re capable of.’

In addition to physical endurance, Sam discovered something else unexpected: his enjoyment of solitude. ‘I didn’t used to do much on my own,’ he recalls. He remembers the first time he decided to go on a walk solo: ‘I thought, “I’ll try it and see how it feels,” and yeah, it felt nice. It felt like a bit more freedom because you could go wherever you want, whenever you want.’

This experience led him to prefer hiking alone: ‘I’ve gotten to the point now where it’s harder for me to want to invite people,’ he chuckles.

The Dream Hike Yet to Come

Despite having hiked across some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, there’s one place still on Sam’s bucket list: Patagonia.‘It just looks amazing—high, snow-capped mountains, gleaming lakes, and all that sort of stuff,’ he says with a smile. Located in Chile, the region offers breathtaking scenery that’s unlike anything he’s experienced before.

Sam goes on to describe a week-long circuit you can hike in the area: ‘I’m pretty sure there’s a six- or seven-day route where you can stay in huts, with locals, or make camp along the way.‘ Patagonia, with its dramatic landscapes and unique culture, is definitely a top destination he hopes to explore.

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As our conversation draws to a close, it’s clear that Sam's approach to hiking mirrors his philosophy on life—one of pushing limits and embracing new experiences. Reflecting on his journey, he shares a favourite quote that has guided him: ‘The biggest risk in life is not taking enough risks.’ It's a mantra that has fueled his adventurous spirit, inspiring him to explore the world’s untamed landscapes and challenge himself in ways he once thought unimaginable.

Whether he’s hiking through the rugged mountains of the Lake District or dreaming of far-off destinations like Patagonia, Sam’s love for the outdoors is rooted in his desire to push boundaries, both physically and mentally. His journey serves as a reminder to all of us: sometimes, the greatest reward comes from taking a step into the unknown.