Great Hiking Trails of the World: 80 Trails, 75,000 Miles, 38 Countries, 6 Continents

Description

Celebrating 80 of the most iconic, important, popular, and diverse hiking trails in the world, this book invites readers to take a walking tour through the planet's natural wonders. Divided into six sections, Great Hiking Trails of the World groups trails by theme: pilgrimages, historic hikes, mountain hikes, wilderness trails, trails through diverse environments, and long-distance trails. From the Afro-Alpine zone of Mount Kenya to subarctic hikes in Scandinavia, from the exotic peaks of the Himalayas to trails in the United States and Canada, this book invites readers to explore the history, environment, and cultures of the world on foot. Each featured trail has its own section with an essay, map, and photo gallery focusing on what makes it one of the most magnificent long-distance hiking trails anywhere in the world. Great Hiking Trails of the World is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or the myriad ways that walking through a landscape is an intimate exploration of its soul.

Karen Berger is the author of 12 books on hiking, including America's Great Hiking Trails (New York Times travel best seller and Gold Lowell Thomas Award Winner), Where the Waters Divide (an account of a 3,000-mile hike of the Continental Divide Trail), and Trailside's best-selling Hiking and Backpacking. She has hiked more than 18,000 miles all over the world.

"The problem with a book like this is simply the recognition that there are many places one won't get to in a single, short life. That's bitter, but it's also sweet, because it's another way of saying this is abig planet we were born onto. Big and full of meaning, just waiting to be discovered." -Bill McKibben "As hikers, we know that trails are life-enriching places and that the myriad benefits of the human-nature contact are uni-versal. So put on your hiking boots and let Karen Berger help you chart your next outdoor adventure." -Gregory Miller, PhD, President, American Hiking Society, 2005-2016 " "Great Hiking Trails of the World" covers 80 trails in 38 countries on six continents, including Peru's Inca Trail, Japan's Shikoku Pilgrimage and the U.S. "triple crown" of hiking, the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails." -Associated Press "Just because winter's on the way, it doesn't mean you have to hang up your hiking boots. If you're strategic about picking your destination, it's easy to hit the trail year-round, says Karen Berger, author of the newly released Great Hiking Trails of the World. She shares with USA TODAY some short sections of world-class hiking trails that can be easily tackled in a day or weekend." - USA TODAY "Come down to earth and head for the GREAT HIKING TRAILS OF THE WORLD, featuring 75,000 miles of trekking on six continents. Brought to us by Karen Berger, with an assist from the estimable American Hiking Society, this volume offers several lifetimes of bucket lists. Those who want to stick close to home might visit the Appalachian Trail, with its 'tired mountains, worn down by time;' what it lacks in grandeur, it makes up for with 'a unique diversity of landscapes, some of which are found nowhere else.' For those wanting a mind-meld with Bilbo Baggins, or at least a challenging hike, try Te Araroa in New Zealand, one of the most 'geothermically active places on earth.' " -The New York Times "Photo-packed and utterly inspiring..." -Passport Magazine "This is the perfect book for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or the myriad ways that walking through a landscape is an intimate exploration of its soul." -Entree Travel Newsletter "This book is to drool over." -Travel Past 50 "People Picks: the best gift books of the year. Whether you're a boots-on-the-ground traveler or more the armchair kind, this gloriously illustrated volume will take you away." - People Magazine "Can A Book Bring You Happiness? 10 Inspired Ways To Travel The World. Whether you are ready to pack your get-out-of-town bag now or prefer to snuggle instead on your sofa for a deep leisurely read, the words and photos that unfold here will take you a long way. Great Hiking Trails of the World: Moving one foot in front of the other not only leads you out the door, but can also point to life-affirming pilgrimages, historic-themed hikes, mountain treks, wilderness rambles, long-distance explorations and challenging excursions. Multi-day expeditions are emphasized, stretching paths through Mount Kenya, Scandinavia, Himalayas, Switzerland and the United States, among others. Our own North American Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails are wondrously worthy. Expert backpacker, hiker, scuba-diver, and (surprise!) classically trained pianist, Berger spells out her favorite sojourns with spirit, charisma and unspoiled beauty." -Forbes.com "Great Hiking Trails of the World is a must-have for intrepid explorers and armchair adventurers alike, a mind-boggling journey of discovery that'll have you savoring each and every dreamy page, as well as taking copious notes for your burgeoning hiking and travel to-do list." - Maine Today