This guidebook follows the Rota Vicentina, a 220km walking route along the stunning Atlantic coastline in the Alentejo and Algarve regions of Portugal. The 12-stage trek combines two well-marked routes, the Caminho Historico (the Historical Way) and the Trilho dos Pescadores (the Fishermen's Trail), to create a hike starting in Santiago do Cacem and ending at Cabo de Sao Vicente. The guide also describes an alternative circular route for those who would prefer an 11-stage loop, moving inland from Odeceixe and back up to Santiago de Cacem. Whichever route is chosen, the Rota Vicentina is ideal for a two-week holiday in spring or late summer to autumn, offering walkers a remarkable range of landscapes from coastal fishing villages to wooded river valleys. The guidebook includes advice about accommodation options along the route, information about the surrounding area, and a glossary of Portuguese terms to aid with reading signs and maps. Along the Rota Vicentina are many delights for walkers. This stunning coastal region is home to a variety of rare birdlife, including white storks that nest precariously on sea stacks. Another treat is the mouth-watering Portuguese cuisine, whether the famous custard tarts or less well-known goose barnacles. With its vibrant cultural traditions and rich history displayed in Arab-era castles and 15th-century Age of Discovery sites, this route offers pleasant surprises at every stage along the Portuguese Atlantic coast.

This guidebook describes 50 spectacular walks spanning the breadth of the Dolomites mountains in northeast Italy. Carefully selected to give walkers a taste of the unique character of the local area, each walk can be tackled in a single day, allowing visitors to travel light and return to their accommodation at day's end. Graded from easy to strenuous, there are walks for all abilities, ranging from 3km hour-long lake strolls and lift-assisted short walks to 20km full-day high-altitude hikes. Most routes take in mountain huts offering refreshments and accommodation, and the guide includes notes on food and drink, history, folklore, nature and geology. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites are easily accessible by train via Austria and Italy, and by air via Verona, Venice, Treviso and Innsbruck airports. From the iconic peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and throne-like Pelmo to the Queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada, and the fairytale Brenta Dolomites, this guide includes the key valleys and gateway towns for accessing the mountains, along with details of public transport options to reach the trailhead.

The Alta Via 1 is one of Italy's most famous and most popular long-distance routes and is the easiest of six Alta Via routes that traverse the magnificent Dolomites. The hut-to-hut trail extends 115km from Lago di Braies to La Pissa, boasting spectacular alpine vistas. Although it demands a moderate level of fitness, it is well waymarked and follows clear well-trodden paths, making for an ideal introduction to trekking in the Dolomites. Welcoming refuges offer meals and accommodation along the way, though camping is also possible on the middle stages (restrictions apply elsewhere). The route is presented in 11 stages, each with overview statistics, a brief summary of the day's walking and detailed route description illustrated with clear mapping. There are also comprehensive notes on the huts the route passes, with contact details and tips on facilities available. The intro includes advice on transport, accommodation and equipment, plus suggestions for creating shorter itineraries should time be limited, and there are facts about local points of interest and background information on the region's geology, plants and wildlife. A handy map booklet is also included, showing the full route of AV1 on 1:25,000 Kompass mapping, so you don't have to carry paper maps. Famed for their striking jagged peaks and sheer rock faces, the Dolomites also bear stark reminders of the turbulent World War I years in the shape of trenches and barracks. The AV1 is a wonderful way to experience the celebrated scenery: (weather permitting) an estimated 80% of the Dolomites can be seen from the trail, with highlights including fantastic views of the Tofane, Pelmo and Civetta and the iconic Marmolada with its glacier. If this is your first visit to the region, you'll soon see why so many fall under its spell!

Guidebook describing Alta Via 2, a challenging hut-to-hut trek through the Italian Dolomites. Stretching 174km from Bressanone (Brixen) to Feltre, the route involves some aided and exposed sections (although several can be bypassed) calling for a sure foot and a good head for heights. It can be walked in under a fortnight - although it is also possible to walk shorter chunks should you only have limited time, and the guide highlights potential exit routes and transport options. Also included are summaries of Alte Vie 3-6, which are more demanding and include remote terrain and stretches of via ferrata for which climbing experience is essential. On Alte Vie 3-6 some nights will be spent in unmanned bivouac huts, meaning trekkers must carry their own kit, although it is possible to walk shorter hut-to-hut sections. The easiest of the Alta Via routes, Alta Via 1, is covered in a separate Cicerone guide. An overview diagram is provided for each trek, showing times between huts. Alta Via 2 is presented in 13 stages, each with clear route description illustrated with 1:75,000 mapping. There are overview statistics for each stage and contact details and notes about mountain huts encountered en route. The guide also includes a wealth of information about the region's geology, plants and wildlife to enhance your appreciation of the landscapes traversed. Useful contacts and an Italian-English glossary can be found in the appendices. A handy pocket-sized map booklet showing the full route of Alta Via 2 on 1:25,000 Kompass maps is included with the guide. Alta Via 2 visits the Plose massif, the jagged Puez-Odle, fortress-like Sella, the majestic Marmolada, spectacular Pale di San Martino and the rugged Alpi Feltrine group as it journeys from the baroque town of Bressanone to Renaissance-style Feltre. On all of the Alta Via routes you can expect breathtaking mountain vistas and a truly memorable trekking experience.

Walking on the Amalfi Coast describes 32 day-walks, ranging from 3km to 11km in length. The walks explore the Sorrento Peninsula, Amalfi Coast and Monti Lattari, as well as the islands of Capri and Ischia in the Gulf of Naples. The whole area is crisscrossed by ancient mule tracks, pilgrim routes and goat tracks, offering a variety of walking from family strolls to strenuous treks across terrain from paved paths to verdant hillside paths and rough volcanic scree. Split into the five sections of Ischia, Capri, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, each walk is accompanied by relevant public transport information as well as a sketch map. The book also provides local and practical information, accommodation options and an Italian-English glossary. The steep southern edge of the Sorrento peninsula, famous for its medieval villages perched atop plunging cliffs, with their near-vertical vineyards and lemon orchards, is recognised as a World Heritage Site. This coastline, the rugged landscape behind, crowned by the Monti Lattari, and the idyllic islands of Capri and Ischia together make a perfect holiday destination for walkers.

This pocket field guide to identifying 230 common Alpine flowers is packed with all the information you need to recognise your favourites while out in the mountains. Designed for the non-specialist, this little handbook is arranged by colour and also includes a glossary of flower parts and an introduction which describes the amazing lengths that these tiny gems go to to survive at altitude. Alpine expert author Gillian Price says: 'It never ceases to amaze me that such tiny plants can spend months on end buried under metres of snow and ice - weathering temperatures as low as minus 25 DegreesC - then sprout back to life when things thaw out and warm up. In springtime you can spot the fragile purple petals of the Alpine Snowbell pushing their way through snow - they contain an anti-freeze that enables them to melt it. Masters of adaptation and survival, alpine flowers can trap insects, store precious water, expel excess minerals and fool insects.' Each flower entry includes a clear photograph and essential description along with its name in English, Latin, German, French and Italian and interesting information about the origins of some of the more curious flower names. Each one is also indexed by its English and its Latin name so you can follow up a hunch about a name or find out more about a flower.

With stunning coastlines and impressive craggy mountains, Corsica is an island with diverse landscapes for day walkers of all abilities to enjoy. Across 25 day walks, this guidebook explores sandy beaches, forested river valleys, and waterfalls, as well as high mountain passes to lookouts and glacial lakes. This guidebook is a brilliant introduction to walking on Corsica, and offers plenty of information on food, plant life, and history. Bases include coastal towns of Bastia, Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, and Ajaccio, as well as mountain villages of Corte, Evisa and Zonza. Each walk features detailed mapping alongside comprehensive route description. All the walks are graded for difficulty and range from easy-going low-level walks on good tracks or paths, to challenging and exposed high-level routes for experienced walkers. The guidebook also includes lots of practical information including a list of useful contacts, accommodation listing, and a glossary of French/Corsican terms. Whether you choose a coastal stroll to enjoy wildflowers and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea, or a mountain walk with dizzying views across craggy peaks, this guidebook offers something for walkers of all abilities looking to discover the many delights of Corsica.

A guidebook to walks in the Italian region of Tuscany. 43 graded routes range from 2.5 to 18km, and take in the Renaissance splendour of Florence and Siena, the World Heritage scenery of Val d'Orcia and San Gimignano and the stunning island of Elba. Alongside detailed route descriptions and clear mapping there is essential practical information on public transport and food and drink, as well as a comprehensive list of accommodation, and a useful Italian-English glossary. The guide is packed with interesting details about the area's wildlife, landscape, culture and history, making it a perfect companion to getting to know this beautiful region. Tuscany is justifiably renowned for its glorious landscapes. Romantic hilltop villages clinging to rolling hills contrast with dense forests, rugged mountains and long, sandy beaches. This is a region that resonates with history - Etruscan remains, Medici villas, Renaissance towns and landscapes that inspired Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante. Add in the climate and superb food and wine and you have a perfect walking destination.

This guidebook to the Greek island of Corfu describes a selection of 22 superb day walks throughout the island, along with the 150km Corfu Trail. The day walks range from 3.5 to 18km in length, and begin from a number of popular holiday destinations across the island, including Corfu Town (home of the Durrell family), Kalami, Paleokastritsa, Agios Georgios north and south, Liapades and Benitses. The 10-stage Corfu Trail starts near Kavos at the island's southernmost tip and ends at Agios Spiridonas, its northerly promontory. The Corfu Trail is suitable for both novice and experienced walkers, and can be walked year round, however accommodation is easier to find between May to October. The wide range of day walks provides a taste of the many different landscapes of the island from coastal paths and beaches to olive groves and wooded hills. Alongside detailed route descriptions and clear maps, the guidebook has notes on Corfu's plants and wildlife, food and drink, and useful advice on travel to and around the island. It includes suggestions for where to stay, as well as a glossary of useful expressions. Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands and one of the most accessible; the walks described avoid the crowded resorts and allow you to experience the laidback atmosphere and varied natural landscapes of this beautiful island.

This guidebook describes 28 day walks and a five-day trek around Lakes Como and Maggiore in Northern Italy. The day routes range from 3 to 20km in length are graded 1 to 3. The mini trek up the eastern shore of Lago di Como from Lecco to Colicocan can also be cut into one-day stages if desired. There is something for everyone, from easy leisurely strolls for first-time walkers to strenuous climbs up panoramic peaks. The clear maps, inspirational photographs and information about accommodation and public transport options help to make this guidebook an ideal companion to exploring the exceptional scenery, views and culture of the Italian Lakes. A basic English-Italian glossary is also included. Picturesque Lago Maggiore has been working its magic on writers and visitors for centuries. Blessed with a mild climate and delightful position close to the Alps, it attracts flocks of admirers to its shores and islands adorned with sumptuous villas and gorgeous ornamental gardens, a legacy of the late Renaissance. Ever magnificent, the splendours of Lago di Como were broadcast by the likes of Pliny and Strabone back in ancient Roman times. Overseas visitors are attracted by the breathtaking scenery and romantic atmosphere, augmented by the host of villas and superb gardens, where pretty camellias and rhododendrons spill over terraces.

This guidebook describes 25 hut-to-hut treks in the Dolomites of northern Italy, covering 15 regions including Cortina, Sella, Sesto, Marmolada and Latemar. Ranging from 11.3km to 40.8km and from two to four days, the graded routes are suitable for walkers with a reasonable level of fitness and experience of mountain terrain, and some feature exposed sections which demand a good head for heights. This edition includes a number of treks in less frequently visited rugged districts, as well as the more popular trips, all of which take advantage of the region's network of mountain refuges and efficient public transport system, with the majority of routes accessible by public bus. Detailed route description is presented alongside mapping and stunning colour photography and the guide also suggests alternative access and exit routes, and options for linking routes to create a longer trek. There is plenty of advice to help make the most of a trip as well as background information on the region's geology, plants and wildlife and local cuisine. The Dolomites - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - are characterised by striking volcanic and sedimentary rock formations. Walking is an ideal way to discover this breathtaking landscape of angular peaks, towering pinnacles and jagged ridges, and the carefully chosen routes in this guide will exhilarate, challenge and inspire.

This guidebook describes the Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA), a nearly 400km long, three week trek crossing the Apennines in 23 stages, from Bocca Trabaria to Passo Due Santi on the edge of Liguria. The route dips in and out of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, never dropping below 400 metres. Best walked between spring and autumn, it is suitable for any reasonably fit walker, and this guidebook provides step-by-step route descriptions, accompanied by detailed mapping. There are transport options for joining and leaving the walk at a number of points, making it perfect for undertaking in small sections or single-day walks. There are suggestions for accommodation en route in comfortable guest houses and alpine-style huts, making it essential reading for anyone undertaking the GEA. The Apennines are Italy's best-kept secret. Forming the rugged spine of the Italian peninsula, this range provides thousands of kilometres of marked trails over rocky crests and ridges and explores extensive forests and meadows, following routes established long ago by traders, pilgrims and shepherds and little affected by mass tourism.

Guidebook to walking and trekking in the Maritime Alps on the border of Italy and France, just north of Nice. It includes 18 graded day walks, on both the French and the Italian sides, ranging from 6km to 20km in length and suitable for a range of abilities. There are also 6 longer treks, including a 5-day traverse of the Parc National du Mercantour and a 7-day traverse of the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime. Detailed route descriptions sit alongside colour maps, and there is full information about accommodation options down in the valleys and up in the mountains. Useful French-English and Italian-English glossaries of walking terminology are included, too. Rising to over 3000m above the sun-drenched French Riviera, the Maritime Alps form the western edge of the mighty Alpine chain. Wildflower lovers will also appreciate the remarkable range of flowers, including many unique to the area. Worlds away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of the coast this is a marvellous area for novice walkers and seasoned long-distance trekkers alike.

This guidebook describes two treks in the Bernina region of the Swiss-Italian Alps. The Tour of the Bernina covers 119km in nine stages circling the Piz Bernina massif. Five days are spent in Switzerland and four in Italy, however a number of inviting extensions and detours are also described which add at least two days to the total. The tour is suitable for trekkers with basic alpine walking experience. While the highest point reached is 3002m, there are no glacier crossings en route. The Alta Via Valmalenco in Italy is a shorter, 8-stage trek over 94km, but is a more challenging route suitable for trekkers with more experience. Almost every stage of both treks can be accessed from a valley floor and public transport, opening the door to multiple variants and shorter treks. Detailed stage by stage route descriptions are given in combination with plenty of background and practical information.

This guidebook presents 16 graded walks exploring the world-famous Cinque Terre villages of Liguria in Italy. Suitable for beginners and experienced walkers, routes take in the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, as well as neighbouring Levanto, Campiglia and Porto Venere. It describes the most popular pathways as well as less trodden routes to hidden gems. Route descriptions and maps for each walk are accompanied by information on how to get around by public transport (train, ferry and bus), with background notes on history, culture, wildlife and flora, and suggestions on where to sleep and what to eat. In short, everything you could possibly need to get the most out of a holiday in this unique corner of the Italian Riviera. One of the best loved places in Italy, the Cinque Terre are UNESCO World Heritage listed, a string of centuries old fishing villages where colourful houses, terraced fields and vineyards perch on plunging cliffs above a breathtaking coastline. It's a paradise for walkers and food-lovers, who can follow age-old routes constructed by the locals and sample the seafood specialities on offer at harbour-side trattorias.

This guidebook includes 46 walks throughout Sicily and the adjoining Aeolian and Egadi Islands. Particular highlights include walks on Mount Etna, and through the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains. Walks range from 2 to 23km long, and are graded according to difficulty and terrain, so the right walk can be easily found, whether for a short family stroll around Medieval Erice, or the challenging trail that traverses the lava and ash-covered Mount Etna. This guidebook combines detailed route description and mapping with fascinating insight into the history and geology of Sicily and the many points of interest along the way. Whether the active volcanic rumblings of Stromboli, or elaborate coastal forts, to prehistoric cave paintings; Sicily is home to some of Europe's greatest natural and historical wonders. The guidebook also includes practical information on travel to and around Sicily, the best time to go, as well as accommodation advice, information on facilities along the way, and a useful Italian-English glossary. The result is an ideal companion to explore all that Sicily has to offer the walker.

This guidebook describes 20 walks around Lakes Garda and Iseo in Northern Italy. The routes range from 4 to 13km in length and are graded 1 to 3. There is something for everyone, from easy leisurely strolls for first-time walkers to strenuous climbs up panoramic peaks. The clear maps, inspirational photographs and information about accommodation and public transport options help to make this guidebook an ideal companion to exploring the exceptional scenery, views and culture of the Italian Lakes. A basic English-Italian glossary is also included. Formed by ancient glaciers and hemmed in by awesome towering cliffs, Lago di Garda boasts a superb network of well-marked trails exploring alpine ridges and peaks, in addition to ancient stepped ways to fascinating industrial archeology sites. The southern shores are very Mediterranean in flavour, lined with olive groves and vineyards. Beautiful Lago d'Iseo is one of Italy's well-kept secrets. Well out of view until you actually reach its shores, it boasts an attractive mountainous island, appropriately named Monteisola.

The 38 summer day walking routes in this guidebook explore the renowned Stelvio National Park in the Italian Rhaetian Alps. Bordering the Dolomites to the east, and Switzerland to the west, the Stelvio is one of the largest protected areas in all of the Alps. The walks explore each of the Stelvio's valleys, are graded for difficulty and range from 4 to 18km. There is plenty for active holidaymakers; from easy strolls to strenuous climbs to panoramic summits for experienced walkers. The Stelvio's unspoilt landscape ranges from valley farmland to forested hillsides and alpine meadows, and up to a wilderness of rugged glaciated summits and ridges, the highest of which is Ortler, at 3905m. The guidebook also includes plenty of background information on local wildlife and cuisine, as well as planning details such as what to take and dos and don'ts. The guide also contains accommodation suggestions, including campsites, B&Bs, hotels and mountain huts in the National Parks picturesque towns and villages such as Bormio, Sulden and Martell Dorf. Close to Milan, Verona and Innsbruck, with good public transport throughout, the Stelvio National park offers extensive, spectacular Alpine walking, with this as the first English-language guide to the area.

This guidebook by Italian walking expert Gillian Price describes 40 varied day walks in the region of Umbria, taking in the towns of Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto and Norcia. The walks range from 2.5km to 19km in length, the majority of the routes are circular, and several wonderful traverses have been included, with the return to the start point always possible by public transport. This guidebook also includes lots of practical information about recommended gear and maps to take and tips on local food, wildlife and culture, as well as useful tourist, accommodation and transport information and a brief Italian-English glossary. Set between Rome and Florence, the region is dotted with UNESCO World Heritage towns. The landscape, like that of neighbouring Tuscany, is one of rolling hills and deep woodlands, without the crowds of other well-known holiday regions in Italy. Walks cross flower meadows, wander down river valleys and also climb onto rugged hills and Apennine mountains, visiting Roman and Etruscan ruins as well as myriad ancient villages.

A detailed guidebook to walking in Italy's Sibillini National Park. 21 day walks and one 8-day trek of the Monti Sibillini (that belongs to the Appenine Chain) route descriptions are provided in the guidebook, with maps and profiles given for each walk. The day walks range from 3 to 21km in length. The 8-day trek around Italy's Great Sibylline Ring is 120km long, with mountain huts available to stay in along the way. No special equipment or training is required for this route, but a lightweight rucksack, hiking boots and walking poles are recommended. The area has a lengthy walking season from early spring to late autumn, and refuges are open from mid-April to mid-October. Easily accessible the area can be reached from budget airline destinations on the Adriatic Coast, as well as from Rome. The Monti Sibillini straddles the Marche and Umbria, close to the towns of Norcia, Ascoli Piceno, L'Aquila and Perugia. Details of accommodation, refreshments and public transport along all the routes are also included with full-colour sketch maps and profiles.

With spectacular mountain landscapes, beautiful rugged coast, forests, maquis and striking river gorges, Corsica is a walker's paradise. This guidebook details five of the islands's most popular shorter treks: the 2-day coastal Sentier du Douanier (Customs Officer's Path) around Cap Corse; two coast-to-coast routes through the central mountains, the 11-day Mare a Mare Nord and the 5-day Mare a Mare Sud; and two 'coast and mountains' routes, the 10-day Mare e Monti and the 5-day Mare e Monti Sud. (Corsica's famous 190km GR20 trail is described in a separate Cicerone guide.) The routes can be linked to create longer excursions and accommodation is provided by a mixture of walkers' hostels, B&Bs and hotels; camping is also an option. The guide presents each of the waymarked trails in daily stages averaging around 12-13km per day, with route description, mapping and notes on accommodation options. There is advice on how to get to Corsica, when to go and what to take, plus accommodation listings, useful contacts and a French/Corsican-English glossary. The guide also offers a wealth of information about the island's rich plant and wildlife. Considerably easier than the challenging GR20, these trails offer a more accessible option for trekkers wishing to experience the 'real' Corsica, away from the bustling coastal resorts. You'll find enchanting scenery - towering forests, gushing cascades, turquoise coves, aromatic maquis, rugged mountains and quiet villages nestling on hillsides of chestnut woods - not to mention a favourable climate and delicious local cuisine. Don't be surprised if you fall under the island's spell!

An inspirational larger format guidebook to 20 summer treks in the Alps across Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Slovenia, including the classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and lesser-known routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps. Perfect for planning, the treks included are: Tour of Mont Blanc, Tour of the Matterhorn, Tour of Monte Rosa, Walker's Haute Route, Tour of the Jungfrau Region, Tour of the Vanoise and Dolomites AV 1 & 2; (longer trans-Alpine routes) GR5 (Lake Geneva to Nice), Eastern Alps E5, Italian Alps GTA and the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps; and (for the Alpine adventurer) Alpine Pass Route, Tour of the Oisans, Tour of the Queyras, Tour of Mont Ruan, Stubai High Route, Zillertal High Route, Gran Paradiso AV2 and the Ratikon Hoehenweg. Outline schedules for each trek allow you compare the routes and become inspired to take up the challenge. Basic day-by-day route descriptions for each route are illustrated with maps and profiles, helping you choose the best routes to walk.