Meet Darren Parkinson
Darren is a qualified Mountain Leader and an active member of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team. With a strong passion for photography, geology, and wildlife, he enjoys capturing the beauty of the natural world and sharing his knowledge with others.
He is also a keen wildlife photographer and runs his own wildlife photography workshops for beginners, helping others develop their skills in capturing nature through the lens.
Darren is a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Assessor for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, holding Outdoor First Aid and Mental Health First Aid certifications, along with appropriate third-party liability insurance.
As an NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) Tutor Award holder, he delivers Bronze, Silver, and Gold navigation courses across West Yorkshire.
Darren spends a great deal of time at Spurn Point, where he works part-time with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, driving a Unimog—a former military vehicle—to provide guided tours. In addition, he runs bespoke birdwatching tours and wildlife photography workshops for YWT.
His passion for wildlife extends to marine conservation, as he is a Mammal Medic with British Divers Marine Life Rescue, responding to calls about stranded or abandoned seals.
In 2025, Darren launched the Boot Routes YouTube channel, covering everything from Duke of Edinburgh assessor tips to photography challenges on walks.
As if that weren’t enough, he is now training to become a first aid instructor.
Darren has a deep love for the outdoors, particularly Scotland and Norway, but also enjoys introducing people to the hidden gems closer to home. This passion led to the creation of Boot Routes, offering guided walks, navigation training, and Hill Skills & Mountain Skills courses.
While specializing in hill and moorland walks in the Peak District, Boot Routes also provides guided adventures in the Lake District, Snowdonia, Yorkshire Dales, Scotland, and Norway. Every walk is tailored to meet the customer’s expectations regarding distance, duration, and difficulty.
Most walks and courses are personally led by Darren, with occasional assistance from other qualified guides.
For full details of our events, courses, and guided walks, please visit our events page.
