NEW Book REVIEWS
Published by gestalten, £40, hardback
THE NEW OFFERING in gestalten’s Wanderlust series is a guidebook to make the eyes widen and the soul sing with possibility. Indeed, it is not simply a guidebook. Alex Roddie showcases Britain’s long-distance walks at their finest with superb photography from local experts, and this book is just as at home on a coffee table as in your wildest adventure-plotting dreams. Whether you’re new to long-distance walking and seeking guidance, or a seasoned walker lacking inspiration, this book has a trail to suit you.
Its pages are packed with trails, from the ‘jewel in the crown of Assynt’ in the Scottish Highlands to a beloved but challenging walk along the south coast of England, made famous by fossil hunters and moving memoirs. Follow the advice of the author and you could find yourself crossing England on Wainwright’s well-trodden Coast-to-Coast, discovering Ireland’s most accessible mountains, treading a rebel’s trail through Wales, or circumnavigating our first national park.
If you don’t have weeks on end to take time out on the trail, there’s a good range of distances covered. For example, the Welsh 3000s can be done in a single – if tough – mountain day. Likewise, helpful ‘highlights’ sections allow day-trippers to feel inspired and informed as to the best views in each area.
Whilst there are plenty of trails suitable for newcomers to long-distance walking (the Dartmoor Way visits many villages for resupply along the route, and the Causeway Coast Way can be tackled over a few nights, for example) this book also includes epics you may not have thought possible on our tiny islands. From the perfect mountain s
