From Blisters to Books: Fiona Barltrop’s Path to Outdoor Writing

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Fiona Barltrop

From Blisters to Books: Fiona Barltrop’s Path to Outdoor Writing

Published on September 10, 2025

6 min read

Meet OS Guidebook Author Fiona Barltrop

Fiona Barltrop is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer who has been contributing to outdoor/walking magazines for many years. She is also the author a number of walking books, the latest being the new Pathfinder Guide to the Isle of Wight. We asked her a few questions about her journey to becoming a specialist in writing outdoor guidebooks. (Fleet Lagoon at Sunset, Jurassic Coast – Image © Fiona Barltrop)

Fiona Barltrop walking in West Cornwall (Image © Fiona Barltrop)

What sparked your passion for the outdoors and how did you become a freelance outdoor writer

A couple of childhood years living on a Caribbean island, the sea almost on our doorstep and a rocky shoreline full of nooks and crannies where the hours were whiled away endlessly exploring, is probably what first drew me to the outdoors. Indeed, the magnetic pull of the sea draws me back inexorably to the coast again and again.

Later, as a teenager incarcerated at boarding school (my Diplomatic Service parents posted abroad again), the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme expedition section provided a welcome escape into the outdoors. I started with the Bronze Award and went on to complete the Gold Award in my last school year, with a memorable, four-girl Lake District expedition undertaken in rather dire late October/early November conditions!

Devil’s Dyke – South Downs (Image © Fiona Barltrop)

It was also while at school at the age of 15, that a friend and I undertook our first long-distance walk together, the then 80-mile South Downs Way, completed in four rather gruelling days over a cold February half-term. A new pair of unbroken-in budget walking boots resulted in a most impressive collection of big blisters. Undaunted, we followed that with the 177-mile Offa’s Dyke Path after finishing A levels.

After university and an office job in London (where the parks provided vital green space and daily exercise), I eventually escaped the metropolis and embarked upon life as a freelance outdoor writer and photographer, contributing to outdoor/walking magazines. Back in the day, before email and the internet, communication was via letter or phone call. “Let’s see what you can do” was the response to my initial slightly trepidatious call to the then editor (a well-known and highly respected writer and television presenter) of a long-standing outdoors magazine. The first feature I subsequently wrote and submitted, appropriately enough on the South Downs, my local tramping ground, was duly published, and to this day I still contribute.

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Guidebook work followed over the years, working for different publishers, along with regular magazine work for a number of publications.

Can you tell us a little bit about the process for writing one of your guidebooks

The initial process involves discussing with the editor (in the case of OS guidebooks Kevin Freeborn) the walks to be included in the book. These need to provide a good spread across the area in question and, for Pathfinder Guides, a variety of distances. The routes are planned in advance, and for the Short Walks Made Easy series, details about the ‘Stories behind the walk’ and ‘Nature notes’ that accompany each of the routes in the book are also planned.

When it comes to researching walks on the ground I take a great many ‘record shots’ on each walk which provide a good comprehensive photographic coverage of the route. These are extremely useful as an aide-memoire and for checking route details, eg gates, stiles, waymark posts etc. Of course, many photos are also used in the books themselves, especially the Short Walks Made Easy series.

Alum Bay cliffs, Isle of Wight (Image © Fiona Barltrop)

Can you share 3 top tips for people starting to get into hiking (eg is there anything you wish you’d learned earlier to save you time /be safer / more comfortable)

Whether you wear boots or trail shoes do break them in properly at first! I have never again experienced such blisters as I did on that South Downs Way expedition all those years ago!

Good map reading skills and the ability to use a compass are also very important, even though most people these days seem to rely on their smartphones. I have always used OS paper maps, carried in a waterproof map case hung round the neck, when exploring new terrain. That is the way I still operate today.

Chapman’s Pool from Emmett’s Hill on the Jurassic Coast (Image © Fiona Barltrop)

Do you have a favourite of the books you have written? What made it so special to create?

I have enjoyed researching and writing all of the books, most recently the new Pathfinder Guide to the Isle of Wight, as well as previously Short Walks Made Easy guides to the South Downs, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast and the New Forest.

Overlooking Durdle Door from Swyre Head, near Lulworth Cove, Jurassic Coast (Image © Fiona Barltrop)

They have all been interesting to produce. In addition, I also have responsibility for route checking and updating a few other Pathfinder titles in the South East of England. These include the South Downs National Park & West Sussex, the SDNP & East Sussex, Surrey, Kent and, as of this year, the New Forest, Hampshire & South Downs title.

Although not the original author of these guides, it can be an interesting exercise field checking, updating and revising other authors’ guidebooks. In the process I’ve discovered new paths and places of interest through this work that were hitherto unknown to me. Admittedly, not all of the walks are ones that I might have devised myself, but they’ve certainly provided variety.

Where can we learn more about you and follow your adventures online?

I must admit I am not on social media and don’t have my own website, and indeed, I am always behind the camera, not in front! But as a long-time contributor to various outdoor/walking magazines, quite a lot of my work has appeared online – and continues to do so. In particular, as a devotee of coastal walking, many of my articles have been re-published online on both the Wales Coast Path website and the England Coast Path website.

I first walked the Pembrokeshire Coast Path 30 years ago, followed by the South West Coast Path a year later. I have returned many times over the years to re-walk sections, and have also walked much of the rest of the Wales Coast Path.

Walkers on Studland Beach, Jurassic Coast (Image © Fiona Barltrop)

Fiona has written many wonderful walking guidebooks if you’re interested in finding out more take a look at her profile on the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild

If you’re interested in reviewing a route from one of our Guidebooks find out how you can write for Get Outside here – write for GO

Explore all of Fiona’s books and books she has updated on the Ordnance Survey shop – delivery is fast and free!

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