One of the premier tourist attractions of the eastern United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. This volume relates the author's one-of-a-kind backpacking trip along the 469-mile road, along with his observations and recollections regarding the Parkway, the most visited unit of the National Park Service. Beginning with his experience as a summer college intern, the book also covers the twelve years he spent working as a ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Anecdotal history and accounts from some of the Parkway's earliest rangers complete this tale of one of our country's national treasures. The appendix contains a chronological, mile-by-mile re-creation of Pegram's 2003 trek, including the names of all the Parkway landmarks mentioned in the book.

Discover 40 five-star hiking trails in and around Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, including popular routes and hidden gems. From high mountains to the east and south to the historic walks in Tennessee, the Tri-Cities of Tennessee and Virginia are a hiker's nirvana. This region offers hundreds of miles of trails to explore in and around Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, as well as the surrounding areas of Abingdon, Elizabethton, Greeneville, and Rogersville. Drawing from a wealth of trails on vast public lands and encompassing the Cherokee, Jefferson, and Pisgah national forests, the mosaic of hikes reflects the wide variety of terrain. State parks preserve beautiful places to visit, and urban parks provide quick, easy nature escapes. The Appalachian Trail, the most heralded and hiked footpath in our country, curves within range of the Tri-Cities for nearly 70 miles. Explore 40 of the region's best, five-star trails with this easy-to-carry and easy-to-use guidebook. In the updated edition, acclaimed author and hiking expert Johnny Molloy shares everything you need to know about the area's spectacular outings, from convenient suburban greenways to wilderness treks at an elevation of 6,000 feet. Inside you'll find: Descriptions of 40 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interests GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads Insight into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail!

This is the only comprehensive guide dedicated to this one classic trail. All alternate routes are also described (unlike the more general mentions in books that include other trails as well). Hikers will learn about all the best hidden side trips, discover great planning tips, find out how best to snag one of the coveted permits, and have complete sample itineraries available to help with planning, making this guide indispensable to anyone planning to tackle the Wonderland Trail.

Explore the natural beauty of Maryland on foot. Maryland affords a rich variety of natural places for residents and visitors to enjoy, from the Chesapeake shores through expansive Piedmont farmland to the Appalachian Plateau. And whether you're headed to the seashore or the mountains, there are few better ways to experience these landscapes than on foot. With its excellent system of public lands-including national parks, state parks and forests, and even privately owned tracts open to the public-Maryland offers ample opportunities for hikers to find easy walks, challenging trails, and outstanding views. In Hike Maryland, Bryan MacKay takes you on twenty-five exceptional trips on the footpaths of the Free State. Drawing on his decades of experience as an avid hiker, lifelong Marylander, and expert naturalist, MacKay has assembled a list of the best hikes in the state. His beautifully illustrated guide tells you how to find the trails, describes the flowers and wildlife you'll see along the way, and shares sensible advice about such concerns as ticks and poisonous snakes. Each individual trail guide includes key information, a map, and background on the natural history and ecology of the park, forest, or preserve, and offers a brief essay featuring a local plant, animal, or environmental issue. Whether you are venturing out on a solo trek on the Appalachian Trail, hiking with friends through Patapsco Valley State Park, or heading to Assateague Island with your family, this book will be an invaluable resource on your journeys. Hike Maryland is a companion guide to Cycle Maryland and Paddle Maryland.

Winner of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Award for Excellence: Outdoor Book 2019 Chris Townsend embarks on a 700-mile walk along the spine of Scotland, the line of high ground where fallen rain runs either west to the Atlantic or east to the North Sea. Walking before the Independence Referendum of 2014, and writing after the EU Referendum of 2016, he reflects on: nature and history, conservation and rewilding, land use and literature, and change in a time of limitless potential for both better and worse.

London is one of the world's most exciting cities, but it's also one of the noisiest; a bustling, chaotic, frenetic, over-crowded, manic metropolis of over 8 million people, where it can be difficult to find somewhere to grab a little peace and quiet. Nevertheless, if you know where to look London has a wealth of peaceful places - places to relax, chill out, contemplate, meditate, sit, reflect, browse, read, chat, nap, walk, think, study or even work (if you must) - where the city's volume is muted or even switched off completely. Peaceful Places contains over 200 of the author's and his friends', colleagues' and acquaintances' favourite locations throughout the city, from restful gardens and serene churches to silent libraries and inspiring galleries; intimate hotels to blissful spas and cosy caf s; smart shops and atmospheric markets to appealing restaurants and charming tea rooms; quiet museums and sweeping parks to relaxing walks and friendly pubs - and much more. Moreover, these places haven't just been selected for their quietude but also for their excellence: every entry has something special to offer, be it a warm welcome, excellent food/drink, fascinating history, attractive ambience, glorious scenery or tempting goods for sale. Peace is a relative term, however, and not all places are whisper-quiet all the time; even churches have bell-ringing and organ practice, and many parks host noisy school parties and sports events. You can, of course, expect bookshops, libraries, galleries, museums and spas (and churches and parks!) to be tranquil most of the time, but even caf s, restaurants, pubs and bars can be surprisingly quiet - although you may need to time your visit a little more carefully. With regard to the latter, we have chosen venues with gardens, terraces, panoramic views and cosy corners - places where you can find a bit of personal space and grab some 'me' time along with your refreshments. So whether you're seeking a place to recharge your batteries, rest your head, revive your spirits, restock your larder or refuel your body; somewhere to inspire, soothe or uplift your mood; or you just wish to discover a part of London that's a few steps further off the beaten track, Peaceful Places will steer you in the right direction.

Get to Know the Wisconsin City's Most Vibrant and Historic Neighborhoods Milwaukee is richly historic. This savvy, entertaining guide explores the best of it all. Local authors Royal Brevvaxling and Molly Snyder guide you through 31 unique walking tours that traverse Milwaukee's length and breadth. Dive deep into the city with tours that illuminate its diverse neighborhoods, like the trendy East Side and the country-esque Northridge Lakes. Find everything from legendary Frank Lloyd Wright houses to custard stands to the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These urban treks are great ways to soak in the vibe of Brew City. Inside you'll find 31 self-guided tours through this amalgam of small town and big city Tips on where to dine, have a drink, and shop Clear neighborhood maps and vital public transportation and parking details Trivia about local culture, neighborhood history, and architecture Each self-guided tour includes full-color photographs, a map, and need-to-know details like distance, difficulty, and more. Route summaries make each walk easy to follow, and a "Points of Interest" section lists the highlights of every tour. Walking Milwaukee provides the perfect path for a weekend or an after-work ramble. So grab your walking shoes, and become an urban adventurer!

OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways.

OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways.

OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways.

OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways.

A lively and thought-provoking tour of the intertwined histories of art and walking   What does a walk look like? In the first book to trace the history of walking images from cave art to contemporary performance, William Chapman Sharpe reveals that a depicted walk is always more than a matter of simple steps. Whether sculpted in stone, painted on a wall, or captured on film, each detail of gait and dress, each stride and gesture has a story to tell, for every aspect of walking is shaped by social practices and environmental conditions.   From classical statues to the origins of cinema, from medieval pilgrimages to public parks and the first footsteps on the moon, walking has engendered a vast visual legacy intertwined with the path of Western art. The path includes Romantic nature-walkers and urban flâneurs, as well as protest marchers and cell-phone zombies. It features works by artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Claude Monet, Norman Rockwell, Agnès Varda, Maya Lin, and Pope.L. In 100 chronologically arranged images, this book shows how new ways of walking have spurred new means of representation, and how walking has permeated our visual culture ever since humans began to depict themselves in art.

The official guide to this superb National Trail, published in conjunction with Walk Unlimited. Whether you're an experienced long-distance walker or a weekend stroller, this is the only companion you need. The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles (160 km) over the chalk downland of Sussex and Hampshire, from Eastbourne to Winchester. This route is rich with beautiful views across the rolling hills, including the stunning Seven Sisters, to the majestic South Downs, and the countryside surrounding them, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1966 and a national park since 2010. One of only two National Trails that can be used not only by walkers but also by cyclists and horse-riders for its entire length, this is the complete official guide to walking, cycling or riding the well-loved and popular trail.

Your Comprehensive Guide to the AT's Best Day Hikes From Maine to Georgia, the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail is an iconic destination. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a casual explorer, let Best of the Appalachian Trail: Day Hikes guide you along the way. Summit the iconic Katahdin in Maine, explore Pennsylvania's Chimney Rocks, splash in Tennessee's Laurel Fork Gorge and Falls, and find out where Georgia's Blood Mountain gets its name. Appalachian Trail experts Leonard M. Adkins and Victoria and Frank Logue have carefully selected their top 144 hikes-ranging from less than 1 mile to 11 miles-and present them for you to experience and enjoy. Trail difficulty ratings and profiles, which include point-by-point descriptions of each hike, help to prepare you for what's ahead. Trailhead maps and driving directions are provided to get you where you need to go. Plus, fascinating flora, fauna, and history tidbits entertain and educate you along all 144 hikes throughout the 14 states of the AT. Discover the best day hikes in this useful guide to the beloved long trail.

Hippocrates, one of history's earliest known physicians, once asserted, ""Walking is man's best medicine."" Over the last three centuries, people have endorsed walking for a variety of reasons--health among them. Before the 1700s, people walked as an essential part of their lifestyle. With the coming of the transportation revolution--and the advent of such conveyances as horse-drawn coaches, railways and automobiles--walking became something that was done increasingly out of choice rather than necessity. England's fashionable society engaged in afternoon promenades as a stylish fad. While America's vast distances and sparse settlements made this activity impractical, Americans nevertheless took to walking in other ways, including engaging in long distance walking competitions complete with spectators and prize money. Thus, for most of the twentieth century, the activity of walking was much more than a means of transportation. Beginning with the history of walking as a social activity, the book discusses the various issues which have affected walkers, including increased automobile traffic, the attention of the marketing industry and pedestrian regulations. The work examines the contemplative, psychological and observational qualities of walking as well as famous personalities--including Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare, John Keats and John James Audubon--who endorsed these intellectual qualifications. During the 1970s fitness boom, walking was reinvented yet again, becoming an activity of numbers and equations as participants fought to maximize health benefits. The book concludes with a legal analysis of pedestrianism as it relates to sharing space with the automobile.

This series of two-color guides includes comprehensive state-by-state guides to walking, jogging, bicycling, and cross-country skiing along rail-trail systems. Written by locals with expert knowledge of their states, these easy-to-use books provide mile-by-mile descriptions of the most popular rural and urban rail trails. They include: Full trail profiles, including length, access points, difficulty rating, and surface typeDetailed trail mapsAt-a-glance icons for easy identification of rail trails that best suit one's interestsInformation on wheelchair accessibility; availability of parking, rest rooms, and places to eat along the trail; location of ranger stations, visitor's centers and depot museums; and where to rent bikes

From the world's expert in outdoor adventure, here is the ultimate hiker's bucket list, with 100 breathtaking experiences for beginners to experts around the globe--from the celebrated Appalachian Trail to the off-the-beaten path (but not to be missed!) Six Waterfalls Hike in Micronesia. Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, wisdom from expert hikers like Andrew Skurka, need-to-know travel information, and practical wildlife-spotting tips, this inspirational guide offers the planet's best experiences for hikers and sightseers. From short day hikes--California's Sierra High Route, Lake Agnes Teahouse in Alberta, Norway's Mt. Skala--to multiday excursions like Mt. Meru in Tanzania and multi-week treks (Egypt's Sinai Trail, Bhutan's Snowman Trek, and the Bibbulum Track in Australia), you'll find a hike that matches your interests and skill level. Crossing all continents and climates (from the jungles of Costa Rica to the ice fields in Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Parks), as well as experiences (a wine route through Switzerland or moose spotting on the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming,) there is a trail for everyone in these pages. So pack your gear and lace your boots: this comprehensive and innovative guide will lead you to experience the best hikes of your life!

This colourful pocket-sized guide is your passport to 30 great walks around Ambleside and the southern half of the Lake District National Park. The principal feature is that all walks are no more than five miles in length, offering a perfect half day's stroll for families, casual walkers and all who want to enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Lake District countryside. The walks start from places such as Ambleside, Grasmere, Coniston, Windermere, Hawkshead and Boot, and include such iconic features as Wasdale, Rydal Water, Great Langdale, Elterwater, Eskdale and the Duddon Valley. The book offers 30 walks and has over 30 colour photographs plus information on landscape features and points of interest along the way.

Have you heard? Sitting is the new smoking. We're sitting longer than we ever have before: adults average nine hours of sitting a day, while children spend almost as much time sitting in front of a screen and in school. Driven by a combination of a car-centric culture and an insatiable thirst for productivity and efficiency, we have been designing walking out of our lives for nearly a hundred years--and there's an ever-growing concern and national conversation about our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. But here's the quandary--and it's a big one: If bipedal walking is truly what makes our species human, as paleoanthropologists claim, what does it mean that we no longer walk as much as we used to-that we are designing walking right out of our lives? Delving into a wealth of science, history, and anecdote--from our deepest origins as hominims to our first steps as babies, to universal design and social capital, to walking as protest (from medieval England to Black Lives Matter), to our very concepts of self and community, A Walking Life shows exactly how walking is essential--to how we think, how we grow, how we socialize, how we move, and how deeply reliant our brains and bodies are on this simple pedestrian act.

Beautiful walks through London on individual, pocket-size route cards. In this boxed collection of 40 walking cards you'll find a happy mix of routes around London and the surrounding countryside. The are filled with unique half-day circular routes, as well as one and two-day walks. Each card has a different route fully described and illustrated on a large scale, 1:25 000 map and include our highly recommended, nearby charming places to stay. * Inspirational walks on handy, pocket size cards chosen from north, south, east and west of London, all less than an hour's drive or train journey out of London * Year-round walks specially designed for all seasons * Box includes transparent sleeve so if it rains you can pop the walking card into the sleeve to protect it from the elements * Recommended charming places to stay are included with each walking route so you can combine a great walk with a truly memorable overnight stop * A selection of easy half-day walks as well as some more challenging two-day routes many with convenient public transport * Ideal for visitors and adventurous locals Pocket a card, leave the box on your bookshelf and enjoy a glorious day out on foot.

WINNER OF THE 2016 EDWARD STANFORD ADVENTURE TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 'Levison Wood has breathed new life into adventure travel.' Michael Palin 'Levison Wood is a great adventurer and a wonderful storyteller.' Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'Britain's best-loved adventurer... he looks like a man who will stare danger in the face and soak up a lot of pain without complaint.' The Times Following in in the footsteps of the great explorers, WALKING THE HIMALAYAS is Levison Wood's enthralling account of crossing the Himalayas on foot. His journey of discovery along the path of the ancient trade route of the Silk Road to the forgotten kingdom of Bhutan led him beyond the safety of the tourist trail. There lies the real world of the Himalayas, where ex-paratrooper Levison Wood encountered natural disasters, extremists, nomadic goat herders, shamans (and the Dalai Lama) in his 1,700-mile trek across the roof of the world. WALKING THE HIMALAYAS is a tale of courage, stamina and the kindness of strangers that will appeal to the adventurer in us all.