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Trail Running Tourism: How to Explore Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations on Foot with Joe Baur

Type 2 Travel

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Joe Baur is one of those travel writers who just gets it - someone who understands the best stories aren't found in guidebooks, and that sometimes the most rewarding travel experiences come from the places other people might skip entirely.

We met in Okinawa on a press trip, and within about five minutes I knew he was exactly the kind of person I wanted on this podcast. Joe is Cleveland-born, Berlin-based, and has built his career around getting off the beaten path - both literally and figuratively. He's the host of Without a Path podcast and the author of Talking Tico, with his work appearing everywhere from BBC Travel to National Geographic.

But what makes Joe different is how he combines authentic storytelling with his passion for trail running. He's not just writing about places - he's pounding the pavement, hitting the trails, and discovering stories that you can only find when you slow down and move through a destination on foot.

We're diving into how running becomes a lens for storytelling, what he discovered about Japanese culture that you can't find in guidebooks, and why sometimes the best way to understand a place is to literally run through it. From battling pneumonia at 35 kilometers into an ultra marathon in Nepal to dressing up as ninjas on Japanese trails, Joe shares what happens when you combine physical adventure with deep cultural exploration.

In This Episode:

  • Why trail running opens up destinations most tourists never see
  • The Ninja Trail Run experience in Japan
  • Getting pneumonia during an 8-day stage race in Nepal
  • How the Japanese concept of ikigai influences Joe's running practice
  • The reality of being an American living in Berlin right now
  • Why country counting is BS
  • The types of travelers who give us hope for authentic travel
  • Pakistan, Uganda, and other "off-limits" destinations on Joe's running bucket list
  • Practical advice for combining your passion with travel

Upcoming Trips Mentioned:

Cuba: Dec 27, 2025 - Jan 3, 2026

India: Feb 25 - March 7, 2026

Kenya: March 25 - April 4, 2026

Morocco: April 10 - April 19, 2026

Links & Resources (Joe)


Links & Resources (Laura)


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18 episodes