Wild people

One of the greatest books about Scottish mountains lay in a drawer for 30 years. Charlotte Peacock profiles author Nan Shepherd and her enduring passion for the Cairngorms

Enjoy an evening of adventure with award-winning films and first-hand accounts from some of the UK’s most intrepid explorers. Kendal Mountain Festival on Tour gets underway this weekend in Bristol, followed by events London and Brighton.

Follow 21-year-old Alex Staniforth as he prepares to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest 13 times, on a journey that will take him to the UK's highest points

The West Dorset shorelines that inspired the famous geologist Mary Anning still makes the ideal hunting ground for fossil-loving beachcombers.

One of the most prominent English adventurers, Millican Dalton gave up his nine-to-five office existence to answer the call of the wild. Here is our essential guide to the man behind the legend. 

He was a Native American trapper-turned-conservationist, who helped to save the beaver from extinction. Or was he? Roly Smith tracks down the unlikely true story of Archibald Belaney

British conservationist and adventurer Sacha Dench took to the skies on a motorised paraglider, as she began her epic 4,500 mile journey from Russian to the UK to track the migration of endangered Bewick’s swans.

A love of freedom and wilderness inspired Hope Bourne to fend for herself in a remote valley on Exmoor. There, she scraped a living by writing about life on the rugged moorlands 

On Countryfile Ellie Harrison visited the Studland peninsula in Dorset to report on an innovative citizen science project that repeats the ecological survey work of a 1930s conservation pioneer. 

Handsome, witty and freedom-loving, Roger Deakin was the first great champion of wild swimming – and one of the best nature writers of his generation. Ten years after Roger’s death, Patrick Barkham celebrates his rich and unconventional life.

Leaving behind a quiet life of croquet and cream teas, Lucy Walker became one of Britain’s finest early mountain climbers. Clare Roche tells her extraordinary story.

The 83-year-old beef farmer and winner of Countryfile's Farming Hero 2015 discusses ploughing with steam engines, Dutch elm trees and the importance of get-up-and-go.

Comedian Ed Byrne loves Scotland's highest hills - a passion that has its ups and downs...