Devon - Helen
Kicking off the first week’s hikes in Devon is outspoken 63-year-old taxi-driving grandma Helen, taking the others for a hike in Ilfracombe. She’s planned a cultural tour of the town's coastal path with a surprise splashy ending.
Devon - Julian
Today is the turn of 29-year-old teaching assistant Julian from Barnstaple, who prefers badgers and trees to people. He’s planning to take the group on a wild woodland walk up the East Lyn river in Lynmouth to experience the healing power of nature. Will his off-beat activities and homemade picnic have them laughing in the aisles, or will it leave a sour taste in the mouth?
Devon - Rosie
Can today’s host, single mum and part-time farmer Rosie, take the lead? Her hike will take them along Shaldon Beach near Teignmouth on Devon's coast, ending on the scenic cliffs above Labrador Bay. Along the way, she wants to give them a taste of farming and country life, complete with a 'flying surprise' at the end. But how will it go down with vegetarian Julian, who’s not a fan of farming or hunting?
Devon - Chaz
Today it’s the turn of 48-year-old local councillor and former deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Chaz. He even comes with his own catchphrase - 'the man, the turban, the legend'. He’s hoping his Dartmoor hike up beautiful Bellever Tor will deliver stunning scenery with a side order of Sikh tradition to win the walks. He’s also planned a spicy picnic to blow their walking boots off. But when the infamously unpredictable Dartmoor weather kicks in and their host marches off, will the walkers find themselves left out in the cold?
Devon - Colin
It’s the final day of the Devon walks, and last to go is 65-year-old B&B owner Colin from Paignton. His 7km south Devon hike starts in the grounds of Greenway, the former holiday home of famous crime writer Agatha Christie. After admiring the views across the Dartmouth estuary, he leads them on a woodland walk before crossing the river on the ferry to end in historic Dartmouth. Colin’s on a mission to win them over with a taste of traditional Devon, and as a trained chef, he’s making all the food from scratch. So when the final points are in, is the way to the walkers’ hearts through their stomachs, or could Colin have over-catered?
Northumbria - Steph
This week, we’re in stunning Northumbria - famous for its breathtaking beaches, crumbling castles and craggy crags. It’s home to five keen walkers, all hoping that their favourite corner of the county will win them the golden walking stick. Kicking off the week is 52-year-old comedian Stephanie from Hartlepool. Stephanie hopes that her 5km walk to Northumbria’s most famous landmark, Hadrian’s Wall, will scoop her the top prize. Despite suffering from vertigo, she’s going to be taking them on a hike to one of Northumbria’s highest spots. And she has a host of historical-themed activities planned to pull in the points. But will her ‘mucky mixture’ buffet turn out to be a tad too mucky for most?
Northumbria - Jasmine
Today is the turn of the youngest of the group - 20-year-old student Jasmine from Cramlington. She has been exploring Northumbria’s coast since she was a child - but even if she’s out walking the dog, Jasmine won’t sacrifice fashion for function. She has planned a coastal walk around Whitley Bay, starting at St Mary’s lighthouse and heading south to Cullercoats Bay, in a bid to convince the others you can’t beat a seaside stroll. She’ll be taking them to some picture-postcard beaches as she teaches them how to take the perfect selfie, and also plans to turn this merry marching band into the Whitley Bay Spice Girls tribute act. But when it comes producing the perfect picnic, Jasmine barely knows her way round a tin opener. Will her takeaway lunch leave them out in the cold?
Northumbria - Angus
Today is the turn of 24-year-old fashion-mad marketing assistant Angus from Newcastle. For his favourite hike, he’ll be guiding the group around Harbottle Castle and Lake. If there’s one thing the other walkers have discovered about Angus, it’s that he likes to look his best, whatever the weather. But will his woodland fashion show prove a hit when the snow sets in? And will his cordon bleu picnic hit the spot with picky eater Jasmine and cheese-hater Paul?
Northumbria - Teresa
Today’s guide is 45-year-old life coach and all-round action woman Teresa from Longhirst. She has done half marathons, a full marathon, Tough Mudder and a cycle all the way to Edinburgh, so what sporting surprise has she got in store for our walkers today? She is taking them to Kielder, in the west of Northumberland, England’s largest forest, with over 200 square miles of trees. She has planned a traditional Northumbrian picnic, complete with pease pudding and pan haggerty - much to Paul’s horror, as he was hoping to serve up exactly the same thing on his walk tomorrow. So will Teresa’s walk on Northumbria’s wild side turn sour, or will she find her way into pole position by the end of the day?
Northumbria - Paul
The final walk is led by 60-year-old civil servant Paul from Alnwick. Despite his easy-going exterior, Paul admits he’s in it to win it. His walk is on his home turf, the stunning Alnwick coastline, starting at the fishing village of Boulmer and ending in Craster. Much to his dismay, Teresa pipped him to the post yesterday when she served up the traditional Northumbrian picnic he had planned for his walk. But he is determined to beat her at her own game by making his entirely homemade. He has also planned a beachside quiz with a difference and a bit of Northumbrian folk music to keep the walkers on their toes. But will it be enough to scoop the final prize?
Scotland - Daisy
This week, we’re in the stunning Highlands and Islands of Scotland – a walker’s wonderland with hundreds of lochs, miles of rugged coastline and the highest mountain in Britain. Leading today’s walk is 24-year-old Daisy from Inverness, who’s a teacher by day and an army cadet trainer in her spare time. She’s given the group their marching orders - it’s a lung-busting jaunt up one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains, Stac Pollaidh. It’s less than half the size of Ben Nevis, but at 612 metres to the summit, it’s a monster climb. Will Daisy manage to march her band of merry recruits to the top, or will there be a mutiny midway? And when the scores are in at the end of the day, will she be flying high or come tumbling down?
Scotland - Tony
This week, we’re in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, home to many of the country’s 30,000 lochs and to five keen walkers, all hoping to win the coveted golden walking stick. Today, it’s the turn of 60-year-old opera singer Tony, who’s lived near Inverness for the past 16 years. But it’s a coastal trek that he’s chosen, starting at Cromarty on the stunning east coast of Scotland. It’s not everyone’s idea of a beauty spot. Although known as a fishing port, Cromarty harbour has been repurposed to repair oil rigs. The combination of uncompromising hunks of steel and the rugged coastline makes for an unusual skyline! So what surprises does Tony have in store to convince the group that his is the winning walk?
Scotland - Katrina
This week, we’ve been tramping around the vast Highlands and Islands of Scotland, famous for its monster lochs. Loch Ness alone holds more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. We may well glimpse Nessie this week, but we’ll definitely see these five keen walkers who want to bag the big prize. Today, it’s the turn of 26-year-old Katrina, the tattoo shop manager from Glasgow. She’s been hiding an aquatic secret from the others. She has a part-time job as a mermaid, performing in aquariums. Katrina's walk starts and finishes on the shores of Loch Long - a haven for dolphins and porpoises, with some of the clearest water in Britain. Will she manage to persuade the walkers in for a dip? And can she pull out all the stops to take the lead?
Scotland - Cathy
This week, we’re in the Highlands and Islands of splendid Scotland. It’s home to five keen walkers, all hoping to walk off with the prize. Today, it’s 40-year-old Cathy’s turn to lead the walk. She moved to the Isle of Mull three years ago, where she works as a technical manager in a biscuit factory. She’s planned a coastal walk from the picture-postcard town of Tobermory (recognisable as the setting for the children’s series Balamory). As an adopted Scot, she’s opted for some traditional Scottish activities to entertain the group. Can Cathy wow the walkers with the charms of Mull and win all the points?
Scotland - Rob
This week, we’re in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland with nearly 5,000 km of coast. It’s home to five keen walkers, all determined to get their hands on the prize. Last to lead a walk is 32-year-old Rob from Dundee, who works for a communications company and plays amputee football for Partick Thistle. So what’s he got planned to win the golden walking stick? He’s leading the walkers to one of the Highland’s best-known spots. Glenfinnan Viaduct has been made famous the world over as the location that the Hogwarts Express steamed through in the Harry Potter movies. Will the infamous Scottish wet weather dampen the spirits and scotch Rob’s chances of winning?