Product Description
Devoted campers, hikers, boaters, anglers, bikers, and golfers agree: Foghorn Outdoors guidebooks are essential for anyone who wants to spend less time planning and more time enjoying the outdoors. Each book is an excursion guide packed with the latest information on a variety of adventures near and far. Written by outdoors experts Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown, Foghorn Outdoors: California Hiking is the complete hiker's resource, with detailed descriptions of more than 1,000 hikes of varying lengths, difficulty, and terrain. From short morning hikes along the coast to multiday backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada, this guide has all the information you need for an enjoyable hiking experience. This sixth edition includes a new organizational structure that is divided into regions which will also be the destination chapters of the books. New keynotes will provide a short introduction to each region describing the features of the area with particular attention to what hiking is like in the area. New maps will be very detailed and easy to navigate and each region will have a complete map set with every hike listed on it. New hiking tips, which have not been part of this book before, include advice on gear, safety, low-impact hiking, climate, seasons, and more.Amazon.com Review
There are few corners of California in which Tom Stienstra has not setVibram-soled foot at one time or another.

In this information-packed guidebook, the longtime San FranciscoChronicle outdoors columnist catalogues the best (and the rest) of theGolden State's trails, combining his encyclopedic knowledge with that ofanother accomplished trekker, Ann Marie Brown. The two cover more than athousand hikes that range from short jaunts to multiday expeditions, rating each walk for length and difficulty and providing notes on water sources, points of interest, permits, contacts, and other useful data. At the most demanding end of the scale, for example, is a 14-mile scramble up Mount Shasta, for which they recommend that you carry an ice ax and crampons; on the moderate side is the 10.6-mile ramble through Pine Valley, in the coastal mountains above Big Sur, with "an up-and-down course that soon becomes more down than up"; and on the easy end is a 1.2-mile round-trip amble along the Desert View Nature Trail near the summit of Southern California's Laguna Mountain. In every instance, Stienstra and Brown tell what you can expect to see and where you're likely to encounter trouble in the form of storms, predatory mammals, or crowds.

Thoroughly updated, this is by far the best single source of information onplanning a hiking trip in California. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

If this is your only Ca hiking book, you've made a mistake!
Just completed a hiking trip to California, September 2004. I am a weekend hiker from Ohio. I was looking for a guide for the best hikes to take - FOR SIGHTSEEING. I thought that this book would lead me to the most scenic hikes in the Redwood area of Northern California. BIG MISTAKE. The point of my review is this: you CANNOT Trust this book to get you to the Best Hikes.

We did 5 hikes recommended in this Book. Two Costal Hikes, which were nice. THe book was helpful, and the rating Equitable.

We then did 3 hikes in Redwood Country. Two of his recommendations we a total bust, and a waste of TIME.

While the book has impressive reviews from newspapers and other sources, I offer my real world examples. It is my great disappointment in this book that has lead me to warn potential buyers. Not based on how it is written, but on my actual experience, IN THE FIELD, of going out, using the author's reccomendations, and hiking some trails.

1. Redwood Hike - Toumey Grove Trail Hike, rated a 9, at Richardson Grove State Park. What a joke. Nothing special about the hike. The Redwood Grove that you reach is very smallish, and not all that spectacular. Rest of the hike was nothing special either.

2. Redwood Hike - Rathert Grove Hike at Grizzly Creek State Park, rated a 10. Same story as above hike. We did speak with the camp host family, who directed us to the Cheatham Redwood Grove, several miles away, which was truly magical. This is where they filmed Star Wars, "Return of the Jedi." Not a lengthy hike, but this Grove of old Redwoods was truly magical, and the best Grove that we saw, espically after having just wasted TWO HIKES on Tom Stienstra's suggestions.

3. Redwood Hike - Prairie Creek State Park. While book lists one hike here, Fern Canyon, rated a 10, which we did - it was OK, he doesn't even mention the most magical, lengthy hike THERE. We did the James Irvine Trail, which was THE BEST REDWOOD HIKE that we did on our whole trip. We hiked the Irvine Trial to the Clintonia to Miner's Ridge, which brought us back to the Visitor's Center. About 4.6 miles of hiking through old growth, Costal Redwoods. This is another hike we would not have done, without the recommendation of the local camp host family.

4. Coastal Hikes - we did two mentioned in this Book. They were good. We did the Tomales Point Trail, at Point Reyes National Seashore - very nice, and the Bodega Head Loop, also very nice.

We began our trip in San Francisco, heading north, along the coast. We started off with a couple of coastal hikes that were nice. Once we got further north, to Redwood country, the hikes recommended were a complete waste. We had limited time, energy, and the hikes highly rated in this book were a complete disappointment. This became apparent when locals directed us to other, BETTER hikes in the area.

While this book is a decent resource for some basic trail information, you had better look to other books and resources to prepare for hiking in Northern California. When you only have a limited time in this part of California, you simply cannot afford the luxury of wasting time on crappy recommendations for hikes.

Does the book cover the whole state of California? Yes. Some good information? Yes. But after my experience with this book, I would NEVER recommend this book to any hiker, UNLESS it was the second or third source that they were going to use. Otherwise, you too may run the risk of hiking on "so-so trails," while missing some stunning beauty in the same area. That was certainly my experience with this book. What a shame!

Must have if you're a California hiker
My wife and I have really gotten our money's worth out of this book over the past few summmers.Perfect for those who love hiking, but need somewhere to go.It's full of great day hikes and a few decent packpacking trips as well.My only complaint is that I'd really like to see a lot more of the 20 mile weekend backpacking trips added to the book.Regardless, it's well worth picking up.

Awesome guide, but...
This book is an almost perfect guide to hiking in Northern California.It's UNBELIEVABLY thorough.My only two quibbles are: 1. Directions to trailheads are a little iffy in places, and (perhaps more importantly) 2. The difficulty ratings are sometimes waaay off.The book uses a 1 (easiest) through 5 (most difficult) difficulty rating.And yesterday, my husband and I went on a hike in the east bay area that the book deemed a 1 in difficulty, and it was considerably more difficult than many 3s we've hiked in the past. What's up with that?!If an inexperienced hiker showed up in tennis shoes relying on that 1 rating, that person could potentially be in physical danger in places.

Having said all that, we've used this book for nearly 3 years and have found it completely spot-on when it comes to identifying beautiful hikes.It's been particularly useful when we've been vacationing in a part of the state with which we're not very familiar.I recommend using this book as a way to identify awesome hikes you want to try, but then you should contact the state/national/whatever park you're about to visit and get more detailed information about the hike before embarking on it.

great hiking guide
This is the ultimate guide for California hiking!The descriptions were concise and provided all the information I needed to pick a hike that suited my needs.If you have room for one hiking guide- this is it.

Refinement Needed
There's a ton of paper in this book, overboard, in my opinion. Wading through the pages in search of a hike is downright laborious.I've taken quite a few of the Sierra hikes and the information hasn't been detailed enough to really give me a feel for what to expect on the trail. They miscalculated the mileage and sometimes the elevation. I think it would be a better book if they chopped out half of the listings and concentrated on the truly best hikes in California. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

As of today, still haven't received the product
The request for a review arrived before the product has even arrived.Amazon must be pulling my leg on this one.

Awesome awesome awesome!!!!!!!!!!
I would highly reccommend this book to anyone wanting to hike Big Bend. This could take me a while. This book allowed me to make the most of my limited time there. It clearly stated how far and long each hike would take, how difficult or easy it was, and a good description of the scenery. I was able to plan my days weeks in advance with this information, making my trip much more enjoyable than it would have been had I tried figuring it all out while there. i can't imagine why anyone would want to give this less than five stars. On a personal note, the cactus were in full bloom in late April, and made for amazing photos, and general enjoyment. Do pack lots of water, and drink even when you don't feel thirsty. The dry air is very deceiving if you're not used to it. My throat got so dry and tight, It was hard to talk. Do listen to the warnings about the poorly marked trails, it is very hard to navigate the desert if you aren't experienced. A Garmin GPS watch is helpful, it will at least guide you back along the path you came in on. This is a great park for handicapped people. The scenery just from the car is incredible, and there are several scenic overlooks, and even trails that are very short, and worth it. This is a great park if you are a biker. I saw more Harleys than cars. My sister and brother in law took their bikes all over. This is a park the size of Rhode Island full of off road biking! if you have the time, spend at least a week, two if you can. And take one of the river raft trips from Terlinqua. The drive to where they put you in the water in Big Bend State park is wiorth the price of admission. Anda day rafting is a nice break for weary bones that have been hiking. Enjoy this incredible park, and use this incredible book.

Disappointing
Hiking Big Bend National Park, 2nd (Regional Hiking Series)
I was hoping for a book with some context on why one might want to hike this park, or where or when.Instead, this whole book is simply a list of hikes and their descriptions.

Great tool for a fantastic vacation in Big Bend
Gives a great synthesis of hikes of all levels in the park.Well-organized and thus very easy and quick to use.

Big Bend NP Hiking Guide
It does the job it was purchased for, ie finding trails in Big Bend National Park ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Afoot and Afield: Las Vegas and Southern Nevada
I am new to hiking in the Vegas area and have found this book to be the most complete reference guide out there.I was glad to see such a detailed explanation of each area as well as the trails.Definite thumbs up.

Afoot & Afield
Intersting and informative.Divided into regions (north, south, east west) for easy selection.Includes highlights about each hike and info on the trailhead.Altho we live in the area, had no idea there were so many hiking trails.A very useful book.

A nice overview of natural Las Vegas and Southern Nevada
I grew up in Las Vegas but moved out decades ago. But as a kid I didn't pay much attention to hikes and birding. This guide seems to cover the area in more detail than others and offers a nice assortment of day trips focused around the city and surrounding area. Though some of the outings, especially Death Valley are a bit far to really explore in a day.

With the recent downturn in the economy, Vegas has been hit pretty hard and you can find great bargains there. So for our winter escape from the gray Northwest we are heading there to enjoy some sun, red rock canyons and birding. Catching a show or two will be a nice bonus. For the nature part we feel well armed with this guide.

One Awesome Book
One hell of a book. Great descriptions of hikes in around the vegas area. As well as a few extra bonuses with Death Valley and what not. Even has some Mojave action in there. Well This is a definate must if headin to the Vegas region and need a little something more than the usual Vegas experience.

Easy to Use
I have a long shelf full of southwest guidebooks.For the Las Vegas area, Beffort's book is the best choice for people unfamiliar with the desert.It has a good mix of easy and difficult hikes.

My sister and her husband recently visited Vegas while I was out of town.He was at a convention; she wanted to see something other than casinos.I turned her loose with a few suggestions and Beffort's book.She did three of the trips in the Spring Mountains and didn't get lost, uncharacteristic for her.The credit goes to good directions in the book. ... Read more

Product Description
There's no better way for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to discover the natural beauty of Kentucky than with this handy guide. Featuring 100 of the best day hiking trails in all parts of the state and 144 easy-to-read maps, "Hiking Kentucky" makes it easy to enjoy self-guided tours of trails in such areas as Red River Gorge Geologic Area, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Mammoth Cave National Park. 164 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must read for any hiker.I give it 5 "boots" up.
This is a well thought out book for any hiker, from the novice to the expert.With 100 day hikes to choose from, there is something for anyone.

The "boot" rating system is a wonderful way of findingjust the right hike for any level.

Kudos to the Elliotts ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

4.5
I used this book recently on my trip to San Juan Skyway and sampled 2 of the trails (Highland Mary Lakes and Red Lakes). In general, this book is excellent as it gives an overview of the trail as well as description of what you would expect from hiking on both of these trails. However, the description of the trails could be a little better, in the case for Highland Mary Lake trail (both the description for the start of the trail and the trail itself aren't very clear), and a few more photos along each route will help a lot with what to expect on the trails. This book is good for an overview but probably need a more detailed map for each of the trails.

Amazing and very useful
The 2nd edition hiking guide is an amazing book, showing both 2D trail maps and elevation guides. The descriptions tell what obstacles on the trail as well as previewing what sites to look for.

Excellent Book!
Great book for planning a backpacking trip.Directions to hikes are right on the mark with excellent details.Many good hikes - combine this with National Geographic Map #140 and you can put together a nice trip.

Highly Recommended.

Perfect for our purpose
This book is absolutely perfect for our purpose. We are just beginning to explore the Weminuche and San Juan area and find this book to provide all the information we need. Each hike has a thorough description of how to get to it, what to expect, specific things to look for, etc. Especially useful to us is the elevation profile provided to show the steepness of the climb and where in the hike to expect it. I am not a super experienced wilderness mountain man who spends his life backpacking around the continental divide, but for the average hiker / backpacker, I cannot imagine a more informational reference.

Good, but limited info
The book is well organinzed, though an index would be helpful, and all descriptions are well and clearly written.It has good information on various trail hikes, but if you're looking for guidance reaching some of the higher mountains in Weminuche, this is not the right resource.It doesn't make an attempt to provide that information. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
52 hikes reveal Colorado's geologic history and diversity

Trailside Geology section offers advice for practical study on thetrail

Explore the traces of the rise and fall of Colorado's mountains,volcanic eruptions, shifting seas, wind-blown deserts, and dinosaurhaunts! Written for people with little or no background in geology,this guide breaks Colorado down into 11 geographic regions andhighlights several hikes within each region that help hikers seeevidence of the most interesting geologic events ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Book
Very good book making Colorado geology accessible to anyone who can walk to the sites outlined here.Hikes are even more enjoyable because of the extra dimension of knowing something about the area.

A pleasant surprise
When I ordered this book, I was concerned that it might beintended only for backpackers (something I'm not up to).To myrelief, the vast majority of the hikes (and there are fifty of them) are no more than three miles round trip.Each one has complete instructions on how to reach the starting point and detailed descriptions of what you'll see.Our only problem is deciding which hikes to take in the time we'll have on our next vacation to Colorado. ... Read more

Product Description
Michael Haynes is Mr. Hiking in Nova Scotia. The 7th edition of his Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia sold 15,000 copies, and his eight-year series of CBC Radio spots has been so popular that people he meets on the trails recognize him by his voice. Eager to supply the best information about the delights (and possible hazards) of self-propelled excursions into the woods and mountains and along the shores of his province, he has now prepared Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia, 8th edition. The 8th edition of Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia is completely revised and updated. More than 30 of the 50 trails are new, and 25 of these new trails did not exist when the 7th edition was published. Haynes re-hiked and updated the descriptions of about 20 trails, and he charted the current condition of 7th-edition trails. Users will find the new 8th edition of Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia as trustworthy a guide as ever to hikes long and short, challenging and easy, in all corners of the province. As well as instructions for finding each trail and descriptions of the trails themselves, Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia, 8th edition, includes maps and synoptic information on length, time, difficulty, other uses, facilities, and the correct topographical map to use. New to this edition are trailhead GPS listings for all hikes, and, for those who carry cellphones as safety devices, information about the often-uncertain reception in Nova Scotia's mountains and woodlands. Also new to this edition are sidebars on plants, animals, historic sites, and other interesting features of the trails. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A wonderful book, used a lot during our trip
I really like the way this was written, great directions, information about the trails.The GPS information would most likely be useful to people who had their GPS device...another purchase in the future.Highly recommend this book for those visiting the Cape Breton area.

Woefully short on info
I bought this book before our recent vacation to Nova Scotia, where we spent most of our trip on Cape Breton Island. This book covers only a small fraction of the available trails. We did "Middle Head" (which is covered in the book), but, at the suggestion of the ranger at the National Park information center, we also did Franey Mountain (just a short distance from Middle Head) and Skyline (on the other side of the park), both of which were more substantial and rewarding and not even mentioned in the book.

Save the cost of the book and stop by a visitor information center or National Park information center. You'll hear about a lot more choices.

cape breton highlands area, grossly neglected....
After doing my homework on the internet and searching for areas of great hiking in Nova Scotia,I came across the Cape Breton Highlands National Park area, the Cabot trail scenic drive, etc...and although I understand that the author/hiker wanted to include all regions of Nova Scotia in his book, I was terribly disappointed tosee that there are only five hikes mentioned fromthe Cape Breton Island area. To be honest, I was able to retrieve much more info, simply by doing searches on the internet. L'Acadien, Skyline trail, Corney Brook,Coastal trail, and many more of what seem to be the most significant hikes in thisarea; were all left out of this book. On the positive side, it seems to include many great details about the wildlife in the area, the topo maps look like they will be helpful, and and directions to the trailheads seem thorough.

Eight hikes in four days with this great guide.
This is an excellent guide that we found useful throughout our stay on Cape Breton Island. The maps are excellent and the descriptions of the trails and how to reach the trailheads is great. The topographical maps were also very useful. I will comment on some of the great hikes included in Haynes' book.

As you leave Cheticamp and enter the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, you are given three immediate trails from which to select. Because of intense rain, we had to skip these trails and move further north into the park. Along the way, the ocean views from the Cabot Trail were incredible, some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in the world.

Our first hike within the park was the Skyland Trail, a 3 hour hike on a high mountail plateau. The vegetation is naturally pruned and stunted by the ocean winds. The views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence are stunning from this height. We looked for moose but saw only pheasants.

Our second hike was to MacIntosh Brook, where the spruce trees create alpine odors as you hike and Aspen trees were turning gold. The old growth Sugar Maples were turning flame red in our September trip. The Sugar Maples are propagated by a root system that allows saplings to develope all around the parent tree. These small saplings may remain short for decades in virtual shadow, nourished by the root system of the parent tree.

Our third hike was to Lone Shieling, a short hike that offered a stone replica of an ancient Scotish hut, a short walk along a brook, and another short hike through Sugar Maple forrests.

Our fourth hike was very short since a dirt road will take you almost to the Chutes Beulach Ban Falls. Our fifth hike was cut short due to lack of time. We tried to hike to the Glasgow Lakes Lookoff but the round trip takes 4 hours. We turned back before completing the hike but we did reach an altitude to see vast vistas.

We spent the night at the Markham Resort cottages in Dingwall and had a gourmet dinner at the Morrison restaurant in Cape North. The Markham cottages allow for wetland or beach front hikes where the granite pebbles offer infinite varieties of colors and shapes. Here we saw a young bald eagle just getting the white feathers of the mature adult.

We drove to Bay St. Lawrence where we went for a whale cruise. We saw two pilot whales, hundreds of curious seals, and an adult bald eagle. We were late in the season so I suspect most of the whales had migrated to the Carribbean. While on the road we found the convenience stores offered many quick meal selections. In Cape North, I was able to get a lobster sandwich and chocolate milk. An odd combination, but it tasted great.

Our sixth hike to Broad Cove Mountain was short but offered great views above the treeline. However, our seventh hike, to Middle Head, was one of my favorite hikes. The trailheads start behind the impressive Keltic Lodge hotel. The hike offers high cliff hanging views of the Atlantic.

Our eighth hike was up Cape Smokey, a long hike but which has 3 vista points along the way with incredible views of the Atlantic ocean and the rocky wave battered cliffs and rocks below.

This book was a great resource by which to sxplore one of the most beautiful areas in North America.

Review Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia
It was a very good and detailed discription of the trails.The dis cription of the where the trail headsnare was excellant, even giving the GPS coordinates. ... Read more

Product Description
Lace up your boots and sample 100 of the finest hiking trails in the Granite State. Explore the secluded headwaters of the Connecticut River in verdant North Country forest, climb the challenging Caps Ridge Trail over White Mountain granite, or amble along the shore of Shoal Pond. Veteran hiker and outdoor writer Larry Pletcher will introduce you to these trails and more.

This guide contains up-to-date trail information, accurate directions to popular as well as less-traveled trails, detailed trail maps, information on hiking with children, locations of barrier-free trails and zero-impact camping tips. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Ok but refer to a map also
The author's descriptions of the hikes and directions to the trailheads are very good.He also has done a good job narrowing down New Hampshire's many hikes to the 100 best but you need to supplement the book with a topographical map.A few times, distances were inaccurate and the elevation changes are misleading.Also, the photos could be better.

Nice guide, well-organized
Living in California, I don't get a chance to hike in New Hampshire as often as I would like. But when I do, I always take this lightweight guide along in my car and in the pack. The best part about the guide is that hikes are described in detail and directions to each trailhead are given in exhaustive detail. This is especially important for out-of-towners who aren't familiar with the back country roads. The authors have hiked each of the trails and they offer pithy comments on trail conditions, the possibility of seeing wildlife and other pertinent information.

There is a separate section on the magnificent Cohos Trail, the 200+ mile hike which runs the length of the state. My one slight criticism is the photos, which could be of better quality, but the text, route descriptions and ancillary material are of high quality.

Hiking New Hampshire: A Welcome Guide for NH Hikers
This is a fine book, with much to offer the novice and dedicated hiker alike.Pletcher's work offers guidance for hiking throughout the state of NH.He has somehow managed to narrow his analysis to 100 fine hikes, which promise adventure into all levels of hiking. While it in no way matches the depth of pure trail knowledge one finds in the AMC guide, it instead offers unique, intimate and eloquent analysis of 100 hikes. Each hike is highlighted with its own map, as well as a chart to graph elevation gains.Also, each trail's difficulty and length are assessed and special attractions unique to the hike are noted.Pletcher is clearly proficient in his knowledge of these trails and, more importantly, adept at putting that knowledge into compact summaries for the benefit of would-be hikers. A must addition to one's hiking library. Ernest M. Berube ... Read more

Product Description
Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway is designed to be an indispensable resource for anyone who uses the Parkway -- America's most heavily visited unit of the National Park system -- as a portal to the Southern Appalachian experience. Hikers and motorists alike can continually refer to the book's mile-by-mile mileage log to overlooks and waysides, entrances and exits, interpretive sites, museums, visitor centers, craft shops, and all the easy "leg-stretcher" trails that are such an accessible part of a Parkway trip.But this is more than just a guide to Parkway facilities and paths. By including the best trails in the national forests, state parks, and private preserves that line the 469-mile scenic road, Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway is a single-volume solution for the serious explorer, whether on foot or in a car. To aid the reader in experiencing the Parkway's best trails, this books contains more than 70 detailed topographic route maps, dozens of descriptive photographs, and in-depth trail descriptions with difficulty ratings and detailed directions.Author Randy Johnson has helped design Parkway trails and, as a noted Southern Appalachian author, has explored the unique richness of Appalachian culture. This book meshes the best of the Parkway's outdoor experiences with a keen sense of the cultural heritage that makes the Parkway a national treasure -- a motor trail to the heart of the United States' least homogenized region.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Hiking
This is an excellent book and very thorough.I have read it several times and compared it to information from other books as well as the internet and national park service materials.It is very helpful to those who are serious about pre-planning a vacation.The maps are especially helpful.The only criticism I have is that the estimated amount of time it would take to do each hike is not included.I most definitely recommend this book.

Great guide
This guide leads hikers on some of the best trails along the Parkway.As a summer resident of the area I have been hiking the area for several years and I still learned from this guide.As a biologist, I particularly liked the coverage of plants and animals of the area.

"Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" takes you to the top!
As an avid hiker, I struggle to find detailed maps and descriptions of hikes. My time is limited, so I love to find out exactly what to expect on a hike before I begin. "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" has become my primary reference to discovering new hikes that are easy to find. It is very evident that Mr. Johnson has hiked all of the trails because of the great details such as "don't get sucked down the old trail... bear right to reach the junction with two signs."

I know how easy to take a wrong turn on hike, so such details are very helpful. However, my favorite part of the book are the detailed topo maps. When I set out on a hike from the book, I make a copy of the desription and map to take with me. I refer to the map a lot (to avoid those wrong turns!). The mileage log in the back of the book gives a great mile-by-mile account of the Parkway.

There are many amazing hikes along the Parkway. Don't miss them!

"Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" is an excellent guide
As a child, I first hiked trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway with my father more than 40 years ago, and over the decades I've continued to return with a sense of awe at the area's spectacular beauty and rich seasonal variety. But what has been lacking for all of that time is a trail guide that mixes knowledgeable commentary and accurate descriptions with good topographical maps and photos. "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway," which I picked up just last week on the way to the mountains, now fills that void in exemplary fashion.

I've hiked a good many of the trails, but I was surprised and pleased to see that there are many that I've not yet tried-and now plan to experience. I can attest that my favorite hikes are described very accurately, with historical and geographical commentary that gives me a new appreciation for some of the places I thought I knew quite well. Details such as the topo maps, elevation gains, difficulty levels, and key-points lists really open up the trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. A 38-page Parkway mileage log at the back of the book is a handy reference for trails, facilities, and resources. I'm sure that this book will accompany thousands of hikers who want to get the most out of their Blue Ridge Parkway hiking experiences.

Hiking Along The Parkway? This Is TheGuide To Buy
As someone who lives near and regularly hikes trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I commend Randy Johnson's excellent "Hiking The Blue Ridge Parkway." First, I love the author's dedication . . .

To past and present Appalachian families - the people who knowhow much you have to love the mountains to make a living there. And to the men and women of the Blue Ridge Parkway - who help the rest of us appreciate why it's worth the effort.

It shows the author's love, and indeed respect, for the region he so ably writes about.

As a guide, the book features 72 maps, the great majority of them, 68 by my count, being detailed topographic maps that will satisfy even the most serious hikers. The author has included a topo map for virtually every hike, something that is fairly unprecedented in this book genre. I've never understood how you can have a trail guide that expects people to read a trail description without a map to look at. The book also includes lots of good photos.

I appreciate the fact that the author provides broad cultural, geographic and historical overviews aimed not only at educating the reader about the region but also at explaining how to craft a hike to match the hiker's interests.

The mileage log in the rear of the book also provides travel information and observations that make this back-of-book section almost worthy of a separate guidebook itself.

Moreover, the author not only covers trails along the Parkway but also trails near the Parkway. The summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern United States, for example, is five miles off the Parkway, but thankfully the author covers the beautiful trails there. The book also includes the region's only truly urban hike, Asheville's Urban Trail.

Between the book's overall introduction, its maps and photos, and the travel-oriented introductions to the different sections of the Parkway, this book truly lives up to the claim in the book's subtitle, "The Ultimate Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway."

No wonder best-selling author Robert Morgan, who hails from this region, and Blue Ridge Parkway author Harley Jolley, both quoted on the cover, say this is the guide book to buy. If I had been able, I would have given this book six stars. ... Read more

Product Description

This guide to the best hikes in the Lower 48 states is a must for the experienced hiker and the first-timer alike. From coast to coast, across plains and mountain ranges, through unspoiled forests and canyons, this book leads the way.

• detailed trail notes to day, weekend and longer hikes
• accurate hikers maps for all routes
• accommodations options from gateway cities to wilderness campsites
• tips on transport to the trailhead
• expert guidance on equipment, health and responsible camping
• practical, reliable and researched on the trail

Customer Reviews (6)

No Hawaii : (
I checked this book out of the library and liked it so well that I got on Amazon and bought a copy.It has a wide variety of hikes all over the country.I'm not always a fan of Lonely Planet because they include so many minutiae; for hike purposes though it's really helpful!

One disappointment is discovering that it's only the continental US - no Hawaii, no Alaska.

Excellent!
A great book for people who want to know what should be on their lifelong "to hike" list. I have found the maps to be very accurate, and the overall selection of hikes to be excellent.

This book shouldn't be used alone - for many of the hikes, there are numerous variations that can be figured out with a more detailed, area specific guidebook, and a map, of course.

Happy hiking!

The Best Hikes in the USA
This book is quite unique in terms of hiking selections and a valuable book for anyone who wants to experience some of the best of what the U.S. has to offer in terms of hiking and backpacking.

One of the most unique aspects is that it focuses on a handful of the best hikes in the most scenic locations in the U.S., not just the best hikes in every state.Let's face it, the scenery in every state is not created equal!You would have to read 40 books and thousands of pages to try and figure out which hikes are the most most spectacular, the hikes most worth the effort that hiking and backpacking can demand.This is the only book I have come across that has done this for you and done a good job at selecting the some of the very best hikes.

Another unique aspect is the hiking maps, which I found very easy to read with out knowing anything about maps.I am sure that topographic maps are more detailed and required for wilderness survival, but these mini trail maps are user friendly and easy to understand without having mapping knowledge.

There are certainly many other great hikes in these and other locations, so I am hoping for a sequel.And also another edition that will follow the same format entitled "Hiking Our Planet!!Can I pre-order before it is written?

Too much space, not enough time
This tries, although admirably, to cram a lot of country into one book.

Incomplete and impractical for the domestic traveler
As a fairly avid hiker, I found little to no value in this book whatsoever. On a positive note, it did provide minute details on what to expect on the trails, as well as important safety precautions for individual parks both with regard to weather conditions and wildlife. Nonetheless, its shortcomings outnumbered its merits.

First, the book is geared almost exclusively towards the foreign traveler. It spends the first section of the book covering issues of concern to those unfamiliar with customs and practices of the United States. This was not the major difficulty I had with the book, however. The hikes and travel routes suggested all expected the reader to enter the park/trail from one side, hike through, and exit from another side of the park. In some parks there are shuttles provided to and from sections of the park (i.e. Zion), but in my experience that is the exception rather than the rule. Many of the hikes spanned twenty or more miles in a single direction and unless you had a car waiting on the other side of the park, they present a huge logistical difficulty for most people driving to their destinations.

I was very disappointed to find no round-trip backcountry hikes in this book and wound up returning it several days after purchasing it because it was useless to me. Serious hikers are better off consulting ranger stations at the individual parks to get detailed information on hikes. Rangers can advise you on what types of hikes are best for you based on your skill level and how long you want to be in the woods or on the trails. Though I can see how an international traveler might find some of the information valuable, this book was disappointing and impractical for my purposes. The useful information it provided can easily be found in a multitude of other sources. ... Read more

Product Description
Lonely Planet Knows Italy

Scale the literally breathtaking Dolomites, peer into brooding Sicillian volcanoes, explore medieval villages along the pilgrim routes of Tuscany or saunter along the sparkling coastline of the Cinque Terre: we've selected the best sentieri (walking trails) in the country for every interst and ability level. Whether you're looking for easy day strolls among vineyards and olive groves, multi-day adventures in the Alps, or the thrill of the challenging vie ferrate (iron ways), this guide will walk you through Italy's wealth of natural beauty, history and culture.

In This Guide:

Everything you need to know to get prepared
Listings for sleeping, eating and facilities along the way
Advice on equipment, health and safety
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Book for the Basics
I bought this book because it has a great colorful cover. The book does host moderate detail about each hiking trail in Italy. I feel that it lacked substance. It also did not have very many color photos to attract you to different hikes available. I give this book a C+. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

A bit sloppy with facts.
It got off to a bad start when I ran into a silly error on the first page: the Delaware River does NOT drain into Chesapeake Bay as the author writes (hint: Delaware BAY? ? ). In a hiking guide if you're sloppy with facts what are you left with and that's an awfully silly error. We'll see.

Hikers will find the specifics lend to advance planning
Any potential hiker to the Adirondacks must take along Hiking the Adirondacks: it provides a guide to over forty hiking opportunities in New York State, offering maps, directions, topography, and black and white photos throughout. Each hiking opportunity includes keys to locating the trailhead, difficulty ratings, and extensive notes on the hike itself. Hikers will find the specifics lend to advance planning. ... Read more

Product Description
Completely updated and revised, this guide coversbackcountry travel in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent book, but no way to correct errors in it!
The Wind River mountain range offers spectacular climbing.

Back in 1959 I packed into the region around the Cirque of the Towers for a week in August and participated in a few first ascents.Joe Kelsey got my name right in his first edition of this book.Sadly, he confused me with someone else, "Carlos" Plummer, in this second edition.

It was "Bill" Plummer, not "Carlos" Plummer, who climbed with the late Bill Buckingham that week, and who made the first ascent of the East Ridge of Wolf's Head, recognized by Roper and Steck as one of the "Fifty Classic Climbs of North America" Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.At least Roper and Steck got my name right!

I have corresponded with Joe Kelsey, who tells me that the East Ridge is his own favorite climb in the range, one that he has repeated 11 or more times!Joe acknowledged the error and had planned to correct my name in his "third edition".But that never happened because of financial problems at his original publisher.The error has since been repeated by Steve Bechtel and others, and now may never get fixed!

Doggone it, maybe I could have been famous now for something really special that I did 50 years ago!

Mostly a Climbing Book
Great book if your looking for climbing routes - Class 3 to 5.The book does not offer signifcant insights into hiking routes in the Wind River Range.You can find better hiking intel on the web with Google searches.

The Southern and Northern Wind River Maps also work better to plan out hiking trips.

With that said, if your looking to rope up and bag a peak, this book is a must.

A paragon among guidebooks.
In its 1980 Sierra Club Press version, now out of print, it is a virtual work of poetry.

This version has lots of additions. And is as a result VERY much bigger. I memorized the relevant chapter of my 1980 copy on my 1996 trip to this Wyoming range so as not to need to carry the book. But it was more a Light Gesture than anything else. (And there was little information in that chapter of any kind - the thing that attracted me to that specific area more than anything else, I think.) There is no way I'd carry the book now. The additions were important, don't get me wrong; much climbing has been done in the range since 1980. (Although that chapter has hardly changed at all. And it's mob-level national-park-quality scenery, if anyplace in the Winds is.) But not only is the 1994 book HYOOOGE by comparison to its predecessor; some of the poetry suffered as well. Kelsey might have thought it too above a broad audience, although his general bent wouldn't make me think he'd do something like that for that reason. (His refusal to "talk down" to beginners may intimidate some; it was downright thrilling to me.) Still and all, it's such a wonderful read that I had to force myself to put it down early this morning in an effort to get at least some sleep, something which has never given me a problem with any other guidebook I've seen. It helped me imagine the Winds before I went better than any other guide has done that job; it takes me back there now whenever I pick it up.

I frequently pick up Kelsey, in fact, just to read him, apropos of nothing.OK, maybe not apropos of nothing. It does help if you have been there. Especially for a week, as I did in '96, and most especially if, as I did last week, you follow that up by spending more than 100 miles on the road with the range forming the dramatic wall-to-wall backdrop the entire way. You can't miss the Winds, which makes it amazing how so many do. The only high point I actually ascended on my `96 trip saw its first recorded ascent, by the route I took, right around the time some of the middle-aged folk reading this started hiking. Can't find that too many places outside of caving, can you?

Kelsey treats the Winds the right way.He's a fitting - and better, if you just ask me - successor to Finis Mitchell.No matter what you are doing in the backcountry of the Wind Rivers, this book will help you get there, and not intrude once you are there.Do it just like he says:read the chapter while you're looking at the face, or the couloir, or the maps at home.

Then put the book down, and climb the mountain.

Greatest Guide Ever!
I bought this book back in 1998 or so when I lived in Utah and it has led me on many an adventure in the Wind River Mountains.The writing is excellent, the descriptions are accurate, and the organization of the book is outstanding.The author has routes in here to please the entire outdoor crowd from the backpacker to the ice climber to the big wall trad climber.This is the best written and best organized climbing guide I have ever read.I wish all guide books were as good as this one.

Mountaineering Book for more than just Mountaineers
I bought this book to plan a week-long backpacking trip. It is very similar in concept to Secor's "High Sierra" guide for CA's Sierra Nevada: Adequate description of the trails and off-trail passes, and comprehensive information for climbers on about everything climbable. I am not a technical climber and cannot judge the book's usefulness as a real "climbing guide", but I like to take off-trail excursions, shortcuts, and scrambles. Together with the "Earthwalk" topos (which are excellent) this book was just the right thing for planning a backpacking trip with "side adventures". If you stay strictly on the trail, you might find a pure trail guide more useful, as trail descriptions only make up 10 or 20% of the text. Off-trail travel turned out to be easy in the Wind Rivers, though.
The book has a short and very interesting account of the history of Wind River exploration. ... Read more

Product Description
Lonely Planet Knows Spain

Tackle the rugged Pyrenees, Picos de Europa or Sierra Nevada, or tread history along the epic Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail, Europe's most famous hike. Or find yourself sampling Spain's diverse natural and cultural beauty in misty Galicia, the forgotten mountains of the Basque Country, and Alpujarran Muslim villages. From gentle coastal rambles to multi-day scrambles, this guide has hikes for every ability level throughout Spain, as well as Mallorca and Andorra

In This Guide:

Everything you need to know to get prepared
Listings for sleeping, eating and facilities along the way
Advice on equipment, health and safety
... Read more

Product Description
Contains detailed descriptions of the jeep roads and hiking trails in Utah's largest national park, including instructions on how to find the park's indian ruins, cowboy cabins, and other points of interest.This book is profusely illustrated with 240 color and black & white photographs and 59 detailed trail maps.It also contains a primer on the park's geology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

If you've never backpacked into Canyonlands, this book is a perfect start
After reading the introduction and a variety of the trails I planned to take, you'll quickly see like I did that David is very thorough and has a personal connection to the trails he wrote about. I'll point out a variety of things:

Good things:
* The lesser known Maze district is well covered. Island in the Sky and Needles are very well documented.
* His reviews of the trails are probably what 80% of us would agree on
* He covers unofficial side hikes to petroglyphs and old cowboy camps
* Thorough play-by-play coverage of every trail
* Plenty of historical and geology material
* No conflicts with what the NPS suggests: permits, environmental, safety, etc.

Missing things:
* GPS coordinates to key spots and camp spots - while very minor and not needed during the day, it would have been helpful when on our first day into the trail head we hiked the last half in the complete darkness. It's hard to see the cairns at night with a head lamp, and the the trail posts, while very visible in the day, look like stems from a small tree at night. (note: generally, there is no need for a GPS device in my opinion - the trails are well marked)
* While David talks about water spots, it would be nice to see them on the map. When you're 5 days out there, and water is uncertain, you end up packing most of it in. 10 liter bladders of water are heavy.
* Because of the terrain, there are some literal tight spots, don't bring in too much and make your pack to loaded, else you not be able to squeeze through certain places (like the crack between the rocks on your way between EC2 and SQ2). This is a general rule of thumb however for any trail any where. Pack light as you can, but it would have been nice to know about the very tight spots in advance. David did a good job roughly letting the reader know this may be a problem.
* We went in November. More tips about winter conditions would have been nice.

Summary:
Don't think twice about buying this book if you're looking for a good overview or detailed plan of the day hikes and backpacking trails. The pros *greatly* out-weigh anything missing. I would highly recommend this book.

Best book about Canyonlands!
This is the best book about Canyonlands National park. It has the more details on any trail/campsite/jeep road.

We found so much more information we couldn't find in other books, esp. on the jeep roods.

indispensable!
The official NPS maps and guide-books are very lame, mostly because of the fear that ancient ruins and art could be vandalized. This book is therefore indispensable to a truly fulfilling visit to Canyonlands. The maps and directions are perfect--just enough detail to be clear and to keep you from getting lost, but they don't deprive you of feeling like you're actually doing some exploring and route-finding.

Canyonlands Bible
This is really the only good guide book I have found on Canyonlands National Park.It describes in great detail many trails that arn't even mentioned in the Falcon Guide.It also has a great color section, and its maps are much better than the other books.For some reason the Nat. Park Visitor Centers don't sell this book (maybe it has too much info about things they want to keep secret?), so you better get it before you start your trip!

This book is fantastic!
Canyonlands is a wild and wonderful place to explore.I would have been lost without this book.I was able to decide ahead of time what areas of the park I wanted to spend the most time in by reading the detailed descriptions of jeep roads and trails.The beautiful color photographs helped me make decisions as well.I found the maps to be extremely helpful and the estimated travel times to be very accurate.David Day knows his stuff! ... Read more

Product Description
"Not only does Molloy give clear, evocative descriptions of each trail, he provides distances, hazards, the best season to make the hike, and where to get maps. . . . This book should be in every hiker's backpack."--Outdoor Adventure

"This detailed guidebook is interesting even if you never plan to hike. It tells all sorts of interesting historical tidbits about Key Biscayne, the Everglades, Ocala National Forest and other places."--Tampa Tribune

"A comprehensive presentation of the hiking trails on [Florida's] federal lands."--Kent L. Wimmer, Florida National Scenic Trail Liaison

"A well-written guide to Florida's wild places [and] to the real side of Florida. . . . It would make any outdoor enthusiast want to get out and hike."--Joan Hobson, vice president of trail maintenance, Florida Trail Association

For Florida hikers, vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers who want to plan and execute their own adventures, this second edition of the popular guidebook will be indispensable. Molloy and Friend explore the trails of Florida to provide readers with an easy-to-use, accurate, and thorough guide to hiking in more than 2 million acres of federally owned wilderness. These areas contain some of the Sunshine State's most spectacular scenery--from pristine beaches and emerald oceans to towering pine forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes.

Illustrated with photographs by the authors, this guide describes every marked and maintained trail in Florida's national forests, parks, and preserves. Each description contains a profile of the path, detailing and rating its condition, length, and difficulty and describing the highlights and hazards of the trail. Profiles also give trailhead directions, trail connections, and hiking season information, followed by a running narrative describing what hikers can expect to see and experience on the trails. This updated edition covers large and small changes in the trails since 2000, most notably the new western corridor of the Florida Trail through Ocala National Forest and the storm-driven changes to the same trail at Gulf Island National Seashore and in Everglades National Park. Also included is a new section on Canaveral National Seashore.

The book also features vignettes of natural and human history along the trails. Many of the areas border sinkholes and other geologic formations, wind through fascinating ecosystems such as the Everglades, and pass by historic sites such as old roadways, mail routes, battlefields, and military forts, and Molloy and Friend highlight these throughout the book in fascinating anecdotes. They also provide information on what to wear and bring on hiking expeditions to maximize safety and comfort along the great hiking trails of Florida's protected lands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves
This book, although not real new, is a gem packed with information about the beautiful Florida. Florida is blessed with four National Forests, an entire Florida Trail, so many parks and preserves. This outstanding book covers them all. An easy read, full of information and absolutely a great addition to our library.
CV Chidlow

The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves
Good book with plenty of trail descriptions for the areas referred to in the title. Doesn't have any maps which is a downside, doesn't go over potential campsites very thoroughly either. All in all a good book. but you'll have to get Florida Trail maps to get a good feel for the hikes in here.

Great Guide
I thought the big Cypress Preserve was a wasteland until I bought this book.After hiking the Florida Trail through here I realize way they call it a preserve.The trip was challenging but Molloy's book helped immensely, especially with campsites.
I'm now headed to the Apalachicola National Forest for a week long hike before summer hits.The clear trailhead directions in this book will make it easy to get started.Wish me luck.
Jen Dyer- Miami, FL ... Read more

Product Description
Lace up your boots and sample seventy-two of the finest trails the Pine Tree State has to offer. From the beaches of Acadia National Park and historic routes through Belfast or Portland to scenic treks up Mount Katahdin and backpacking along the Bigelow Range, Maine has routes to please hikers of every stripe. Outdoor writer Tom Seymour describes trails that vary in length from an easy one-hour stroll along a quiet nature trail to challenging treks in the backcountry.Use this guide for up-to-date trail information, accurate directions to popular as well as less-traveled trails, difficulty ratings for each hike, detailed trail maps, tips about hiking with children and information on barrier-free trails for hikers with special needs. Whether you are a day-tripper or long-distance hiker, old hand or novice, you'll find trails suited to every ability and interest throughout Maine. (6 X 9, 216 pages, b&w photos, maps, graphs, charts) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Best In Maine
This is a great book for the moderate, hobby fisherman. I have been fishing in Maine all my life, however when I recently moved to central Maine I was at a loss as to where to throw my line. I bought this book last year late in the season and had very good luck with the advice given. It gives you peak times and lures to try for best results. I look forward to checking off some of the spots I missed last year and hopefully catch the big one! The only complaint I have is that it is sometimes more geared to fly fisherman than I would like. Overall a very good investment in my book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

excerpt of a more comprehensive book
The hikes in this book, though I haven't tried them yet, seem well thought out.However, the title of the book (and its overall marketing) are quite deceptive.First, there is nothing in this book, despite the title, that is useful for "overnight" (read:backpacking) trips.It is not even clear from the text whether or where backpacking is possible, since the lack of water in this area is a serious limiting concern.A useful guide would have, at a minimum, information on water sources, along with possibilities for connecting or extending the hikes given herein.There is none of that.

A more serious deception, however, is the fact that this entire text appears to be an exact excerpt of the authors' _Hiking California's Desert Parks_, which costs only a few dollars more.All 15 hikes of this smaller text occur in the larger book, in the same order, with the same words.Even the page layout appears to have been recycled.The larger book is worth getting, but skip this one, for sure.

Joshua trees without the crowds...
I was doing a wilderness program in the '70s for East LA Chicano gangs in what was then BLM land mostly used to graze cattle and roar across on dirt bikes.The land was seriously cow burnt and scared, and still showed the legacy of previous mining.The island mountain ranges hovered 7,000 feet above the desert floor, resplendent with pine forests and water.Sand dunes covered more area than the Sand Dunes National Park in
Colorado.Mitchell Caverns showcased the limestone caves of the Providence Mountains.Cauthers Creek gave secret pools of water wending thru house sized granit boulders.Ancient petroglyphs were found in side canyons.And, yes, the boiling desert floor ruled supreme.
Now the East Mojave Secnic Area is undergoing increasing protection.It is a magical place.The Granite mountains have superb rock climbing.Hole in the Wall is a magical and spooky place.There are few of the ultra restrictive regulations one will find in Joshua Tree.Saw toothed mountains challange the climber.And now it has been discovered, and I believe for the better.Get the maps, get the guides, and find the inner desert within you, a splendid place to watch spring or fall.the visitor's center is almost worth the trip.And take some Ed Abby and Craig Childs along to show you what you are seeing.

Somewhere between Los Angeles and Las Vegas
Every weekend tens of thousands of vehicles cruise at high speeds from southern California to the glittering resorts of Las Vegas and Laughlin.After the summit of Cajon Pass, which separates the San Bernardino and Angeles Mountains, their trek is one long desert journey alternating between immense dry lakebed flats and desert hills or mountains.Few people stop along the way, and even fewer are aware that much of the land between I15 and I40 is one of the largest pieces of national park land in California, the Mojave National Preserve.

In some respects, one could argue this land is not truly park "quality" the way Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, and Joshua Tree are.But tucked away in this arid landscape are some interesting geological features and many little visited scenic gems.This new book by Bill and Polly Cunningham is a great guide to exploring this area.It offers a baker's dozen of hikes in the region, ranging from just over a mile to strenuous desert peaks requiring 8-10 miles of distance and a considerable amount of effort.But there are some nice rewards as well.You can ascend the Kelso Dunes at sunset (there are few views as fine anywhere) and try to create some of the reverberating booms common to the region by starting miniature sandslides.Or you can go explore Mitchel Caverns, a surprisingly popular state park given how far it is off I40.Or again, you can climb Teutonia Peak and observe the incredible Cima Dome, the most symetrical large dome formation on earth.In all, there is quite a bit to explore in the preserve, and this book is a good start.

Like many other recent Falcon Press books, this guide has some nice features.In addition to detailed route descriptions, it includes hypsometic maps for all the trails.Decent black and white photos complement the descriptions, and the book offers a decent introduction to the history of the region and the 1990s struggle to preserve this land for future generations.So the next time you find yourself driving headlong for Vegas, take a few minutes out of your day to explore some of the land in between.It can be rewarding, or at least shave a few hours off the time that the tables and slots can steal your money.

Post Script:Though not mentioned in this book, I would also recommend a stop by the Early Man Site, just north of Yarmo and Barstow on I15.The nature trail there is only a quarter mile long, but artifacts found at the site suggest human occupation as long as 20,000 years ago.This was the only north American archeological site directed by Louis Leakey, and it is well worth a visit. ... Read more

Product Description
Want to explore boiling lakes, cool off beneath pristine waterfalls, and indulge in real Caribbean cuisine? Then get out of the water, swap your swimsuit for hiking shorts, your flip-flops for walking shoes, and get into the island.As your hiking guide, M. Timothy O'Keefe takes you beyond the clamor and commercialism into the heart and soul of the largely ignored hinterlands of 30 spectacular islands.Island by island, from the Caymans to Trinidad, make your Caribbean Hiking experience pleasurable with: maps and detailed descriptions of how to locate and enjoy each hike; the region's plants and trees identified as well as their dangers and uses; advice to stay healthy on the islands; a wide variety of hikes, from city walks to mountain ascents; concise, colorful histories of each island.No matter which island you visit, Caribbean Hiking makes it easy for you to enjoy the laid-back tropical atmosphere while you hike the many exotic jungles, mountains, and beautiful beaches that beckon the curious and adventurous traveler. (6 x 9, 416 pages, b&w photos, maps) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

From OUTSIDE Magazine
"You haven't experienced the Caribbean until you know what an island tastes like, what it sounds like, what it smells likeand how it feels--including its mud and thorns," writes M. Timothy O'Keefe in Caribbean Hiking, a new book detailing almost 400 hikes on 30 islands.Filled with regional maps, plus tips on gear and safety, this is the definitive guide for hot-weather adventurers interested in more than sunshine and beaches. (OUTSIDE Magazine, Dec. 2001, p. 124) ... Read more