Walking the South West Coast Path


Book Description

A guidebook to walking the South West Coast Path, a long-distance National Trail from Minehead to Poole, along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Covering 1015km (630 miles), this epic route takes in Exmoor National Park and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and takes around 4 weeks to walk. The route is described in 45 stages between 13 and 38km (8–24 miles) in length. Also described is the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway, from West Bexington to Osmington Mills, which can be used as a scenic way to shave 42 miles off the total distance. 1:50,000 OS maps for each stage GPX files available to download Detailed information about accommodation, refreshments and facilities along the route Advice on planning and preparation




South West Coast Path Log Book


Book Description

Never forget your epic journey along the South West Coast Path by keeping a diary of each day of the route. Keep track of each stage as you complete the South West Coast Path and which have been completed and which are still to do. This book has prompts for each stage to help you keep a record of each day as well as space to write your thoughts and experiences of the day. Prompts include: Packing list Stage start/ end time Duration Distance Location Difficulty Weather Crowd View rating Transport and Accommodation Space to write your highlights of the day and overall experience of each stretch A pocket-sized book with a glossy, wipe-clean cover. Create a stunning memory of this very special time when you trod the paths of the South West Coast Path and record all the wonderful moments along the way. This book makes a wonderful gift for someone who is thinking about walking the South West Coast Path or get one for yourself to save those precious memories.




Land's End Circuit


Book Description

The South West Coastal Path is the longest National Trail in the UK, and its full 630 miles is off-putting to most recreational walkers. This carefully selected section from St Ives to Penzance provides a superb taster experience that readily fits inside one week. Enjoy some of the UK's finest coastal scenery including around Land's End, its wild south-western extreme. This part of Cornwall is surprisingly accessible by mainline railway, and it offers plenty of charming places to stay and eat. The book includes an option to complete the circuit inland by St Michael's Way, and also a side-trip by tidal causeway to St Michael's Mount. The detailed route description is enhanced by background on Cornwall's geology, history and culture.Lavishly illustrated, the book has 80+ colour photos and 15 pages carrying detailed route mapping (1:35,000). It is in a slim pocket-friendly format and, like all Rucksack Reader guidebooks, printed on rainproof paper.







Tales from the Big Trails


Book Description

'I am already planning the next adventure. The wanderlust that infected me has no cure.' It all started in Fishguard in the mid-1970s when, aged fifteen, Martyn Howe and a friend set off on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path armed with big rucksacks, borrowed boots, a Primus stove and a pint of paraffin, and a thirst for adventure. After repeating the route almost thirty years later, Martyn was inspired to walk every National Trail in England and Wales, plus the four Long-Distance Routes (now among the Great Trails) in Scotland. His 3,000-mile journey included treks along the South West Coast Path, the Pennine Way, the Cotswold Way and the West Highland Way. He finally achieved his ambition in 2016 when he arrived in Cromer in Norfolk, only to set a new goal of walking the England and Wales Coast Paths and the Scottish National Trail. In Tales from the Big Trails, Martyn vividly describes the diverse landscapes, wildlife, culture and heritage he encounters around the British Isles, and the physical and mental health benefits he derives from walking. He also celebrates the people who enrich his travels, including fellow long-distance hikers, tourists discovering Britain's charm, farmers working the land, and the friendly and eccentric owners of hostels, campsites and B&Bs. And when he is asked 'Why do you do it?', the answer is as simple as placing one foot in front of the other: 'It makes me happy.'




The Wild Silence


Book Description

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER “Heartfelt and heartening … a full-throated paean to the fundamental importance of nature in all its glory, fury and impermanence." —Wall Street Journal The incredible follow-up to the international bestseller The Salt Path, a story of finding your way back home. Nature holds the answers for Raynor and her husband Moth. After walking 630 homeless miles along The Salt Path, living on the windswept and wild English coastline; the cliffs, the sky and the chalky earth now feel like their home. Moth has a terminal diagnosis, but together on the wild coastal path, with their feet firmly rooted outdoors, they discover that anything is possible. Now, life beyond The Salt Path awaits and they come back to four walls, but the sense of home is illusive and returning to normality is proving difficult - until an incredible gesture by someone who reads their story changes everything. A chance to breathe life back into a beautiful farmhouse nestled deep in the Cornish hills; rewilding the land and returning nature to its hedgerows becomes their saving grace and their new path to follow. The Wild Silence is a story of hope triumphing over despair, of lifelong love prevailing over everything. It is a luminous account of the human spirit's connection to nature, and how vital it is for us all.




Fife Coastal Path


Book Description

The Fife Coastal Path runs around the coastline of eastern Scotland for 117 miles (187 km) from Kincardine on the Forth to Newburgh on the Tay. Starting west of the famous Forth bridges, the route heads through former mining towns towards the villages of Fife's East Neuk (corner), with their rich tradition of smuggling and fishing. After rounding Fife Ness, the route follows the coastline through St Andrews, golf capital of the world and former religious centre of Scotland.Fife has long played an important part in Scottish history and the route passes many castles, towers and churches. There are splendid views along the coast and over the Firths of Forth and Tay, with great chances to sight seabirds, seals and dolphins. The villages have welcoming pubs, famous fish-and-chip shops and good B&Bs. Transport by train and bus makes for easy access throughout.The guidebook contains everything you need to plan and enjoy your holiday on foot, or on a bike where cycling is appropriate - details of each section showing distance, side-trips and food/drink stops; background on history, landscapes and wildlife; planning information for travel by bus, train, car and plane; lavishly illustrated, with 100 colour photographs; and detailed mapping of the entire route at 1:45,000.This second edition contains many route updates and is in an even lighter, more pocketable format. The book is rugged and printed on rainproof paper.




The Way of St Francis


Book Description

This guidebook describes the Way of St Francis a 550km month-long pilgrimage trail from Florence through Assisi to Rome. Split into 28 day stages, the walk begins in Florence and finishes in the Vatican City. Stages range from 8km to 30km with plenty to see, including ancient ruins, picturesque towns, national treasures, and stunning churches. This comprehensive guidebook fits in a jacket pocket or rucksack, and contains information on everything from accommodation and transport in Italy, to securing your credential (pilgrim identity card), budgeting, what to take, and where to do laundry. Stories of Francis of Assisi's life are also included. Although the route includes climbs and descents of up to 1200m, no special equipment is required - although your hiking boots and socks definitely need to get along. Following the steps of heroes, conquerors and saints on this pilgrim trail is manageable all year round, but is best done from April to June and mid-August to October. Route maps are given for every stage, and basic Italian phrases are included in the guidebook.




Trippin' Through My 60s


Book Description

As a child of the Sixties, Reg Spittle was no stranger to unrest and rebellion. So it was no surprise that, at age 60, when he closed his office door for the last time and left the working world behind, his restlessness would lead him to a path less traveled. Trippin' Through My 60s is a lighthearted look at how Reg discovered and pursued his passion for trekking along four famed European long-distance trails: Scotland's West Highland Way The Alps' Tour du Mont Blanc Italy's Way of St. Francis England's South West Coast Path Unexpected challenges, wrong turns, and humor evoke memories of life in the Sixties and create the backdrop for Reg's adventures as he tackles backpacking escapades that push him to the edge.




South Coast Track


Book Description

Contains comprehensive track notes for walking the South Coast Track in Tasmania. The guide has 9 -1:50,000 colour topographic maps of the entire track, 50 colour photographs plus gradient profiles of the track. This is an all colour production with full track notes for both directions along the trail. The colour topographic maps and notes have been colour coded for each direction to reduce confusion about which notes are currently being followed. This is one of the world's great wilderness walks and takes 6 to 8 days to walk. Most plan for 7 days and it is suggested to carry one spare days food in case of river floods causing delays. For those wishing to explore further than the South Coast Track, then the larger guide book South West Tasmania which also includes the South Coast Track should be considered. This book is actually a subset of that larger guide and we would expect walkers to use one or the other but not both. Note that the maps in South West Tasmania for the South Coast Track are a smaller scale (1:100,000) and there is less detail in the track notes as that book is designed for more experienced walkers.