Meet the team

Simon Knight

Simon is the director of Granite Trails. He has been working in various areas of the outdoor adventure industry for many years and thinks he has the best job in the world! Simon set up Granite Trails after moving back to Dartmoor following many years living and working in Snowdonia, North Wales and Chamonix in the French Alps. Most of Simon’s spare time is spent having adventures in the South West and further afield. He is a keen Climber, skier, cyclist and surfer, his favorite place to climb is on the golden granite sea cliffs of west Cornwall. As well as running Granite Trails, Simon is also the Senior instructor at The Dartmoor Centres , a regular team member of  Climb South West and the technical adviser for Camp Kernow

Matt Knapp

Matt is a very enthusiastic climber, mountaineer and runner. Based on Dartmoor, Matt is a very experienced instructor and has an in depth knowledge of the best climbing and hill walking in the South West. Matt has also climbed, skied and mountain biked to a high standard in the Scottish Highlands and French Alps. Matt is also the assistant centre manager at The Dartmoor centres

Kate Ryley

Kate enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, she is a keen climber, mountain biker and sailor. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors is infectious and she is great at inspiring others to get out and have adventures. Kate is also an expert in bush craft and forest school activities, she also runs Breathe Outdoors specialising in mindfulness in the outdoors.

Jake Philips

Originally from west Cornwall, Jake knows the hills and cliffs of the south west very well. He has been on many adventurous climbing expeditions over recent years from Alaska to Ethiopia, including new routes in remote areas. Jake now splits his time between the climbing hubs of Sheffield and Aviemore. Jake is a very experienced instructor and great fun to climb with.

Ian Stewart

Ian is our expert in the Scottish mountains, he is a very experienced instructor, climber and skier. Based in Aviemore, he always has the latest knowledge on winter conditions in the mountains and all the Granite Trails team highly value his expertise when heading out in the mountains. Ian also runs Trail running Scotland, worth checking out if you love running in the mountains.