Just like the best walks, The Joy of Walking takes you on a journey with lots to surprise and enjoy along the way. Through the best of classic writing, this inspiring anthology shows how the simple act of walking goes to the heart of life itself.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning pocket size classics, this edition is edited and introduced by Suzy Cripps.

Whether walking through awe-inspiring countryside or weaving your way through crowds in the hustle and bustle of great cities, we take thousands of steps a day. Finding meaning in movement can be difficult in today’s frenetic world. This may seem like a modern problem, but putting one foot in front of the other is something that authors have been writing about for centuries. Some like Gaskell, Wordsworth and Whitman extol the virtues of walking in the countryside, be it on one’s own connecting with nature or as the means to really good conversation with friends. Others like Dickens and E. M. Forster explore the thrill and dangers of moving about the city, by day or by night.

In The Joy of Walking you’ll find a wealth of essays, poetry and fiction celebrating and exploring the joy of walking.

Dubbed 'the mountain connoisseurs' walk', the Cambrian Way stretches 479km between the mighty castles of Cardiff in the south and Conwy on the north coast. Traversing the heartland of Wales, the challenging route crosses the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia, passing through two national parks and visiting many of the country's iconic summits, including Pen y Fan, Pumlumon, Cadair Idris and Snowdon itself. It can be walked in three weeks (or in shorter sections) and is suitable for experienced hillwalkers with sound navigational skills. The guide presents the route in 21 stages, offering comprehensive route description illustrated with OS 1:50,000 mapping and elevation profiles. Details of accommodation and facilities are provided, along with a helpful trek planner showing their distribution along the route: although the trail passes through remote areas, it is possible to stay under a roof every night - though camping is also a possibility, should you prefer. There are background notes on Wales's history and geology and local points of interest, and a glossary of Welsh place-names, useful contacts and accommodation listings can be found in the appendices. From the Black Mountains to the Rhinogau, Glyderau and Carneddau, the route takes in lofty ridges, striking peaks and picturesque lakes. There are also fascinating glimpses into the country's ancient and more recent past: Iron Age hillforts, Norman castles, a Cistercian abbey, the Chartist Cave and relics from the mining industry. Offering superlative scenery, the Cambrian Way is a celebration of some of the best mountain walking Wales has to offer and promises a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in these celebrated landscapes.

This guidebook describes the Karnischer Hoehenweg, a 170km long-distance walk through the beautiful Carnic Alps which straddle the border between Austria and Italy. Following a high Alpine trail along the main ridge, the route is clearly waymarked and requires a reasonable level of fitness, a sense of adventure and a head for heights, but no special equipment or technical expertise. It can be walked between mid-July and the end of September and takes up to a fortnight, though it is possible to devise shorter itineraries taking in the highlights. The guide describes the full route of the Karnischer Hoehenweg from Arnbach, near Sillian, to Arnoldstein, near Villach, and includes plenty of practical information to help you prepare for the walk. Each stage features comprehensive route description, clear mapping and fascinating insights into the history of the 'war in the mountains' plus other local points of interest. Accommodation listings and other useful contacts can be found in the appendices. Also known as the Friedensweg ('Peace Trail'), the route follows the First World War front line, and reminders of the conflict are everywhere. But the trail isn't just rich in historical interest: this is Alpine ridge-walking at its best, boasting spectacular mountain vistas and views of the Dolomites, Hohe Tauern and Julian Alps. The guide covers two key variants of the trail, one on the Austrian side of the border, the other on the Italian side. Also included is an optional ascent of Monte Coglians, the highest peak in the Carnic Alps, and a visit to the open-air museum at the Ploeckenpass.

Think the Munros are too difficult? Think again. Meet Baffies, the entertainments convenor of the Go-Take-a-Hike Mountaineering Club. Named after his footwear of choice [Baffies is a Scottish word for slippers], he is gifted in the art of finding the easiest way up any given mountain. This is the second in the Baffies’ Easy Munro Guide series of reliable rucksack guides to some of the more easily tackled Munros. Twenty-five routes, each covering one main Munro, all with detailed maps and full colour throughout – this lightly humorous and opinionated book will tell you everything you need to reach the summit.

Discover hidden gems around Birmingham with 20 walking routes. Featuring 20 walks in and around the city, including lesser-known circuits and details on popular walks. Accompanied by guided walking instructions and written by local experts, A-Z Birmingham Hidden Walks is the perfect way to explore the city in a new light. Small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, this handy guidebook is ideal for tourists or locals looking to discover more about the city. Each route varies in length from 1 to 6 miles (1.6 to 9.6 km), and is clearly outlined on detailed A-Z street mapping. * 20 walking routes with instructions and maps * Full-colour photographs of hidden gems and city attractions * Key sights and locations clearly marked on map * Information such as start/finish points, nearest postcodes, distance and terrain included More from the A-Z Hidden Walks series: A-Z Birmingham Hidden Walks A-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden Walks A-Z Edinburgh Hidden Walks A-Z London Hidden Walks A-Z Oxford Hidden Walks A-Z York Hidden Walks A-Z Brighton Hidden Walks A-Z Cambridge Hidden Walks A-Z Manchester Hidden Walks A-Z Liverpool Hidden Walks

It's Time to Take a Hike in Beautiful Arizona! The best way to experience Phoenix is by hiking it! Get outdoors with Arizona writer and hiking expert Charles Liu as he helps you find and enjoy the top hikes within 60 miles of the city. These selected trails transport you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, ancient ruins, and petroglyphs that renew your spirit and recharge your body. Explore some of the country's finest city-owned wilderness preserves: Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, South Mountain Park/Preserve, and Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Hike at 7,000 feet at Brown's Peak, Mount Ord, and Mount Peeley. See Arizona's only Wild River Area at the Mazatzal Wilderness in Tonto National Forest. With Charles Liu as your guide, you'll learn about the area and experience nature through 60 of Phoenix's best hikes! Each hike description features key at-a-glance information on distance, difficulty, scenery, traffic, hiking time, and more, so you can quickly and easily learn about each trail. Detailed directions, GPS-based trail maps, and elevation profiles help to ensure that you know where you are and where you're going. Tips on nearby activities further enhance your enjoyment of every outing. Whether you're a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Phoenix provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from Phoenix and the surrounding communities.

Five-Star Trails: Charlotte is a handy guide for area residents, vacationers seeking outdoor fun, and for business travelers with a free afternoon. With a diverse collection of hiking routes, the book offers choices for everyone from solo trekkers to companions to families with either youngsters or oldsters to consider. Researched, experienced, and written by a local author, the guide provides in-depth trail descriptions, directions, and commentary on what to expect along the way. Each hike features an individual trail map, elevation profile, and at-a-glance key info, helping readers quickly determine the perfect trip for them when they are ready to head out the door. Sized to fit in a pocket, the book is convenient to keep in the car or toss into a backpack. Driving directions direct hikers to the nearest trailhead parking areas, and GPS trailhead coordinates get them to the start of the trail.

This attractive and cleverly structured guide gives walkers ten of the finest walks to Lakeland waterfalls in a popular pocketable format. With clear information, an overview and introduction for each walk, expertly written numbered directions, large scale Ordnance Survey maps, superb, eye-grabbing panoramic photographs, and interpretation of points of interest along the way, these guides set a new standard in clarity and ease-of-use. Featured waterfalls include: Lodore Falls, Aira Force, Scale Force, Stock Ghyll, Skelwith Force, Colwith Force, Stanley Ghyll Force, Tom Gill, The Howk and Holme Force.

The story of extraordinary women who lost their way - their sense of self, their identity, their freedom - and found it again through walking in the wild. 'Moving and memorable' Virginia Nicholson, author of How Was It for You? 'A triumph ... I felt as though I were being lifted, carried up to peaks' Charlotte Peacock, author of Into the Mountain: A Life of Nan Shepherd 'A beautiful and meditative memoir' Publishers Weekly For centuries, the wilds have been male territory, while women sat safely confined at home. But not all women did as they were told, despite the dangers; history reveals women for whom rural walking became inspiration, consolation and liberation. In this powerful and deeply inspiring book, Annabel Abbs uncovers women who refused to conform, who recognised a biological, emotional and artistic need for wilderness, water and desert - and who took the courageous step of walking unpeopled and often forbidding landscapes. Part wild-walk, part memoir, Windswept follows an exhilarating journey from Abbs's isolated, car-less childhood to her walking the remote paths trodden by extraordinary women, including Georgia O'Keeffe in the empty plains of Texas and New Mexico, Nan Shepherd in the mountains of Scotland, Gwen John following the Garonne, Simone de Beauvoir in the mountains and forests of France and Daphne du Maurier along the River Rhone. A single question pulses through their walks: How does a woman change once she becomes windswept?

Few great cities have shown such character and capacity for reinvention as Glasgow. This medieval seat of learning and pilgrimage became the Workshop of the World, famed for its shipbuilding and engineering, before being reborn again as a City of Culture and commerce. The cities evolution, resilience and unique humour are a source of great pride for its citizens. These 25 walks explore the glorious architecture and parks at Glasgow's heart, as well as the best green places and built heritage within an hour's journey.

Discover hidden gems around Liverpool with 20 walking routes. Featuring 20 walks in and around the city, including lesser-known circuits and details on popular walks. Accompanied by guided walking instructions and written by a local expert, A-Z Liverpool Hidden Walks is the perfect way to explore the city in a new light. Small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, this handy guidebook is ideal for tourists or locals looking to discover more about the city. Each route varies in length from 1 to 6 miles (1.6 to 9.6 km), and is clearly outlined on detailed A-Z street mapping. 20 walking routes with instructions and maps Full-colour photographs of hidden gems and city attractions Key sights and locations clearly marked on map Information such as start/finish points, nearest postcodes, distance and terrain included More from the A-Z Hidden Walks series: A-Z Birmingham Hidden Walks A-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden Walks A-Z Edinburgh Hidden Walks A-Z London Hidden Walks A-Z Oxford Hidden Walks A-Z York Hidden Walks A-Z Brighton Hidden Walks A-Z Cambridge Hidden Walks A-Z Manchester Hidden Walks A-Z Liverpool Hidden Walks

Designed specifically to cover almost the entire eighty-five-mile Columbia River Gorge corridor, this is the only guidebook for the Gorge with color photographs and color topographic maps. Almost every waterfall, including secret ones, and nearly every overlook point, summit, and loop hike within the Gorge is covered in great detail with specific mileage and compass directions. Author Don Scarmuzzi personally hiked every single trail several times, and in opposite directions, on different days of the year, under various conditions. The book begins by describing geological events that created the Gorge. The spectacular scenery with the modern day trail work help to make it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts, whether they are tourists or locals, experienced hikers or newbies. Hikes and walks are seamlessly synchronized with surrounding hikes to build on one another to create several different loops. Find more Pacific Northwest trails in Don Scarmuzzi’s other books, Day Hikes in the Pacific Northwest and Day Hikes in Washington State.

A popular activity for outdoor enthusiasts and families, day hiking provides a simple way to de-stress, stay in shape, and connect with nature and fellow hikers. Day Hiking Essentials includes information on choosing gear, packing for the hike, navigating with a map and compass, and includes common sense tips for watching wildlife, staying energized, what to do if you are lost, hiking with kids. This guide also includes an overview of basic first aid, hiking etiquette and outdoor hazards. Portable and lightweight, this waterproof folding pocket guide is a valuable resource that belongs in every hiker's day pack. Made in the USA.

A guidebook to Scotland's West Highland Way, a 95-mile walk from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, passing Loch Lomond, crossing Rannoch Moor and finishing in the shadow of Britain's highest mountain. The walk, which takes roughly one week to complete, is described in seven stages, with each stage ranging from 8 to 20 miles. The guide details the 'classic' south-north direction but also provides a summary description for those wanting to walk the route in the opposite direction. The guidebook, which features step-by-step route descriptions, 1:100K mapping, handy practical information as well as notes on the region's history, culture and geography, is accompanied by a separate, pocket-sized 1:25K OS map booklet, providing all the mapping you need to walk the route. Passing from the lowlands to the highlands, the West Highland Way, which is one of Scotland's Great Trails, showcases the splendour of glens flanked by great mountains, majestic moorland and sprawling farmland. It is the perfect adventure for distance walkers keen to discover the wild beauty of western Scotland.

There are few more beautiful places than Scotland's winter mountains. But even when most of the snow has melted, isolated patches can linger well into summer and beyond. In The Vanishing Ice, Iain Cameron chronicles these remarkable and little-seen relics of the Ice Age, describing how they have fascinated travellers and writers for hundreds of years, and reflecting on the impact of climate change. Iain was nine years old when snow patches first captured his imagination, and they have been inextricably bound with his life ever since. He developed his expertise through correspondence (and close friendship) with research ecologist Dr Adam Watson, and is today Britain's foremost authority on this weather phenomenon. Iain takes us on a tour of Britain which includes the Scottish Highlands, the Southern Uplands, the Lake District and Snowdonia, seeking elusive patches of snow in wild and often inaccessible locations. His adventures include a perilous climb in the Cairngorms with comedian Ed Byrne, and glorious days spent out on the hills with Andrew Cotter and his very good dogs, Olive and Mabel. Based on sound scientific evidence and personal observations, accompanied by stunning photography and wrapped in Iain's shining passion for the British landscape, The Vanishing Ice is a eulogy to snow, the mountains and the great outdoors.

Ever since Marco Polo published his wide-eyed report on Khanbaligh, or Cambaluc, the city of the Mongol khans, Peking - as Beijing has been known for most of the past 300 years - has captured the Western imagination as few other ancient cities have. "Beijing Walks" presents six detailed walking tours of the most important historic quarters of the Chinese capital - the Forbidden City, the former Legation Quarter, Beihai Park, the Temple of Heaven, the Confucius Temple, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, and the Olympic Village. All tours are placed in their imperial contexts and enlivened with traditional maps, drawings and photographs. Cohn offers vital information on everything from feng shui, Pekingese dogs and Peking duck to Peking Opera and the emperors' private lives, evoking the sights, sounds and smells of old Peking, its pleasures and its grandeur.

Widely known as England's most scenic line, the enduring Settle & Carlisle Railway was built by the Midland between 1869 and 1876, as part of its quest to forge its own, independent route to Scotland. It is, uniquely for a railway in the UK, a Conservation Area in its own right - viaducts, tunnels, bridges, stations, trackside structures and railway workers' cottages. By walking all or parts of the route from Settle to Carlisle, you get the chance to get up close to the railway's magnificent architecture - but also to see the lonely and lofty fells, and stunning scenery from the Dales through the Pennines to the limestone pavements of Westmorland and the green Eden Valley. In the company of this knowledgeable guide, you'll also discover centuries' worth of local history and traditions: Roman remains, medieval castles, and the Romany who still meet at the annual Appleby Horse Fair gathering.

An inspirational guidebook to 50 great walks throughout the Pennines. A wide range of routes in this larger format book have been selected to help walkers explore all aspects of this beautiful upland area. The walks are all graded, from moderate to strenuous, and are between 6 and 13 miles long, with plenty of options for both first-time and more experienced walkers. Ranging between the North Pennines, Howgills, Yorkshire Dales, South Pennines and Dark Peak, this guide offers the best of the mass of fell and moor that makes up the backbone of England. Routes include Cross Fell, Wild Boar Fell, Ingleborough, Whernside, Pen-y-Ghent, Pendle Hill, Kinder Downfall and a traverse of Ilkley Moor and many are suitable for fell running. The circular walks are all graded, making this guidebook equally suitable for first-time and more experienced walkers looking to explore new corners of the Pennines. All routes are illustrated with 1:40,000 OS mapping and plenty of colour photography.

One name above all others has become associated with walking in the Lake District: Alfred Wainwright, whose seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, first published in 1955-66, has become the definitive guidebook. Wainwright's meticulously hand-drawn maps, diagrams and drawings take you up the 214 principal hills and mountains of the Lake District, describing the main routes of ascent from different starting points, as well as lesser-known variants, showing the summit viewpoint panoramas and the ridge routes that can be made to create longer walks. The Northern Fells, Book Five of Wainwright's Walking Guide, covers an area that encompasses both the gentler gradients of the Uldale and Caldbeck Fells and the spectacular mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra. This new edition has been comprehensively revised by writer and designer Clive Hutchby, author of The Wainwright Companion. Paths, maps, diagrams and route descriptions have been checked and corrected throughout in this new portable, pocket-sized flexibound format that can easily be packed and carried in a walker's rucksack.