OUR STORY

THE ORIGINATION OF OUR WORK

TRAILHAVEN HAS BEEN SHAPED FROM A RICH LINEAGE OF PATHS

THEIR COMMON BELIEF IS THAT NATURE HEALS AND TRANSFORMS US EFFORTLESSLY

Founded in 2021 by three lineages that were united in the people who created its founding team: 

Our Aberkyn history brought us world-class expertise in transformational leadership and organizational change. Aberkyn is a global leadership advisory, founded in 2012 and now part of McKinsey & Company.

Our X-Plore roots contributed the spirit of exploration, resilience, and the power of venturing into the unknown. X-Plore is a Spanish adventure travel company, which has been offering exciting trips since 2008.

Our European Wilderness Education School (EWES) partnership continues to give us access to professional wilderness guides and their training and has created in us a deep respect for nature, ensuring safety and depth in wild environments. EWES was founded in 2010 and is based in Barcelona.

Through the lived experiences of our founders and early team members, these three streams merged into one. Together they form the roots of TrailHaven, where stillness, challenge, space, energy work and neuroscience combine to spark profound transformation in leaders.

TrailHaven was our next step:
a firm fully dedicated to reimagining leadership in the outdoors.  

OUR ORGANIZATION

From an initial team of two in Barcelona, TrailHaven has grown into an organization capable of delivering complex, parallel outdoor leadership development programs across the globe. We’ve guided leaders in diverse settings, ranging from Patagonia to the Saudi desert to the Australian outback.

Our base remains in Barcelona, where most of our core team members live and where we manage logistics, plan operations and store our expedition gear. To support low-impact travel and avoid unnecessary consumption, participants can rent high-quality clothing and equipment from us, a practical and sustainable choice aligned with our values.

TrailHaven is more than a brand. It’s a promise: a place where leaders slow down, tune in and reconnect—with themselves, their purpose, their teams and life as a whole.  Being able to lead from that place creates a lasting impact and fosters long term success. 

TRAILHAVEN

IS ROOTED IN SCIENCE

TRAILHAVEN

IS ROOTED IN SCIENCE

OUR TEAM

PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN

Gerard
van den Berg 

Founder/Managing Director 

“I believe the forest, the trail, and the open sky reveal what’s needed most—curiosity, courage and shared presence.”

With over 25 years of experience guiding people back into connection with their natural selves and the wild places around them. Expert in expedition design, Wilderness Guide training, and trail-based learning. When not guiding, he's likely being chased through Spanish canyons by his three young boys.

Peter
van der Vlis 

Founder/Managing Director 

“I’m inspired by the way nature’s magic transforms people“

Peter helps clients (re)discover their purpose and passion, which allows them to make courageous choices from which they benefit professionally and personally. He combines three backgrounds: consulting, management and leadership development. Peter has facilitated trails since 2005. Peter's love for learning has led to an unmanageable array of free time hobbies. 

Anna
GILI 

People Lead and Marketing

“Being in nature helps me remember who I truly am”

After earning her certificate as a Wilderness Guide, Anna moved to Panama, where for over five years she led outdoor programs and guided expeditions in the rainforest—adding yet another role to her already diverse professional background. Currently, she lives in Mallorca and focuses on TrailHaven's crews and communications around the world. 

Bram
von Blomberg 

Facilitator, Trail Chief and Guide

“For me, nature is a full-spectrum space for insight, learning, stillness, and play, reflecting back whatever I bring.“

Bram has 25+ years of experience as wilderness, mountain, and wildlife guide with a strong interest for personal development, meditation energy and breathwork. Currently founder of BigSoulia, Director of the European Wilderness Education School and Wilderness Facilitator at TrailHaven.

Gabriella
Mazzitelli  

Finance Manager

“I find grounding in nature, bringing me calmness, integrity, and connection to everything I do.“

Gabriela has more than 10 years of accounting experience within both established companies and new businesses, with significant cross-over into operational responsibilities. Her strong organizational skills allow her to be a great support for the TH team in their projects. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, spending time with family and friends surrounded by good food and music.

Roberta
Mibelli 

Project Manager

“I like to plan and make logistics simple with sustainability in mind”

Roberta grew up in a small island in Italy (Elba) and soon as she got her degree, left to work and discover world!! She has practically always worked in Tourism, first in Leisure programs, and for the last 15 years in Event Management for several companies, creating, leading and developing programs as well as coordinating all the logistics and production. She loves nature and animals, and needs frequent contact with nature. Backpacker and adventure are the words for her personal trips!

Josetxu
Estebanez

Guide and Safety expert

“My happiest moments are solo in nature, in silence and gratitude”

Has led numerous expeditions to the 5 continents in search of challenges where the person is only one more piece in the wild nature. High Altitude Mountain guide (UIAGM) with more than 30 years in the Mountain Rescue Group, and Dive Instructor.

Rafa
Carrasco 

Trail Chief and Guide

“I like to bring structure, support people, and guide with intention – always in connection with nature”

Rafa is Trail Chief at TrailHaven, where he leads outdoor experiences with depth and purpose. He's also a Lead Learning Coordinator at the EWES, a certified Wilderness Guide, and an International Mountain Leader. With 10+ years managing complex projects in multinational companies, Rafa now brings that expertise into wild settings — guiding individuals and teams through meaningful learning in nature. He believes in the power of pure landscapes, shared moments, and lifelong learning.

Caitlin
Cockerton

Facilitator and Program Director

“Nature mirrors exactly what’s needed in each moment—approach with curiosity and remember who you truly are.”

Caitlin guides leaders and teams through transformative journeys that bridge inner and outer wilderness. With a PhD in Sociology of Science and Technology, she blends deep academic insight with a decade of innovation consulting experience. A certified coach, she integrates Co-Active Coaching, Internal Family Systems, and nature-based practices to foster self-awareness, creativity, and meaningful growth. Caitlin lives in a quiet alpine hamlet, where she finds balance in trail running, snowboarding, and dancing with her daugther.

Alexander
Martin 

Facilitator, Guide and Program Director

“Time in wilderness elicits awe in the human psyche; awe helps us slow down and ask deeper questions of ourselves.“

Alexander is a trail facilitator, consultant, coach, and explorer. Over two decades dedicated to supporting development and provoking leadership, he has found the outdoors to be the most powerful learning space we have. Alexander practices what he preaches and recently took his young toddler out camping in the wild!

Jyotish
Patel

Facilitator and Wisdom keeper

“Nature is our real home, where everything knows how to be itself inviting transformation and healing“

Jyotish is a regenerative healthcare practitioner and transformation guide who weaves ancient wisdom with modern insight, empowering people to reconnect with their innate capacities and the wisdom of the body. As a TrailHaven facilitator, he helps individuals reconnect with purpose and wholeness, bringing depth to leadership journeys. He has pioneered the use of energy medicine in organizational settings, supporting both human and business transformation. Jyotish lives in Southern England with his family and two horses.

Bernat
Codern 

Warehouse Manager and Guide

“I like to merge and observe nature, we humans still have a lot to learn from it”

Bernat makes sure every TrailHaven expedition is supported with the right gear and seamless logistics. With lifelong roots in the Catalan Boy Scouts, he began guiding in the Pyrenees at 18 and has since mentored new generations through meaningful outdoor experiences. A certified Wilderness Guide and scuba diver, he has also taught survival skills to a wide range of participants. Bernat brings a calm, grounded presence — and a deep belief in nature's power to foster growth, resilience, and connection.

Gülnur
Sargin

Project Manager

“To share a moment deeply with another soul, and to stand still in the presence of nature”

Gülnur blends strategic clarity with deep human connection. With a background at McKinsey & Company and experience leading leadership programs across 10+ countries, she brings insight, precision, and care to every learning journey. A certified coach, she now lives by the sea in İzmir, where she finds balance in movement, nature, and meaningful conversations.

COME JOIN US OUT IN NATURE

OUR IMPACT GROWS WITH EVERY TRAIL

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Trail days
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Participants
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Destinations
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Crew members

WE EQUIP LEADERS AND ORGANISATIONS WITH THE SKILLS AND MINDSETS NEEDED FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS AND POSITIVE IMPACT.

COME JOIN US OUT IN NATURE

OUR IMPACT GROWS WITH EVERY TRAIL

0
Trail days
0
Leaders served
0
Destinations
0
Crew engaged

WE EQUIP LEADERS AND ORGANISATIONS WITH THE SKILLS AND MINDSETS NEEDED FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS AND POSITIVE IMPACT.

TESTIMONIALS

LEADERS SPEAKING

“The quality, experience and capabilities of the facilitators is some of the best we have experienced.”

Josh Lubin, SVP Human Resources

“The wilderness trail programs have proven to be an invaluable investment in our company’s leadership development.”

Cihan Günsur, Group Head L&D and Agile Transformation

“Choosing to disconnect from our devices for a week enabled us to connect with ourselves, each other and nature in a deep and meaningful way.”

Camila Hurtado, Global Program Lead, Leadership Development

 

“We like TrailHaven’s capacity to deliver high impact experiential learning on leadership topics, combined with strong project management, logistics and safety skills.”

Ludovic Russier, Group VP Learning & Development

 

“The TrailHaven program reminded me of the beauty of our planet and its ability to facilitate self-reflection, helping us to be wiser, more sensitive and better humans.”

John McFall, Astronaut Reserve Member, European Space Agency

“These were two and a half days in the Slovenian Alps that I’ll never forget.”

Dr. Steven MacGregor, Chief Well Being Officer and Senior Advisor

“We value TrailHaven’s true interest in people, down-to-earth personalities and how they link the outdoors to our day-to-day work.”

David Plink, CEO,Top Employers Institute