Walking the GR7 in Andalucia


Book Description

Guidebook to walking both options for the GR7 trek through Spain's Andalucia across 7 natural parks and 1 national park. Cool forests, arid plains, historic towns, castles and white Berber villages all add to the enjoyment of walking this long-distance route. Complete route description and accommodation details to aid with route planning.




The Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk


Book Description

A guidebook to walking the Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk, a 416km route traversing the region from the Mediterranean Coast to the Atlantic, from Maro near Nerja to Bolonia. This long-distance trail through southern Spain is suitable for any reasonably fit walker and can be walked in 3 weeks. The route is presented from east to west in 21 stages of between 12 and 26km (7–16 miles). It visits 6 Natural Parks and some of the region’s most beautiful villages, including Frigiliana and Ronda. GPX files available to download 1:100,000 maps included for each stage Accommodation details Advice on planning and preparation Information about Andalucia, its towns and villages, and local points of interest




Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada


Book Description

This guidebook offers a selection of 38 routes from simple day walks, high mountain scrambles to very demanding multi-day treks in the striking Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in mainland Spain. Easily accessible from Granada and Malaga, it is a world of soaring, snow-clad peaks and deep valleys, far removed from the crowded beaches of the Costa del Sol just two hours away. The routes are spread across the national park, with attractive towns and villages such as Trevelez, Lanjaron, Hoya de la Mora and Cumbres Verdes serving as potential bases for a walking holiday. From more leisurely outings in the Cumbres Verde area to ascents of mainland Spain's highest summit, Mulhacen, there are routes to suit a range of abilities, although most require a reasonable degree of fitness, navigational skill and experience of high mountain terrain. Whilst some of the routes are day or half-day walks, others take advantage of the region's network of mountain shelters or offer an opportunity to wild camp. Also included are three longer traverses: 'Los Tres Picos' (the Spanish Three Peaks - Veleta, Mulhacen and Alcazaba), 'Los Tres Miles' Integral (a multi-day trek covering all the major 3000m peaks in the range) and an overview of the 302km Sulayr GR240. The walks can be enjoyed most of the year, however conditions may prove too hot at the peak of summer and extra care and equipment will be required in snow or ice: the descriptions assume summer conditions, but include additional notes for winter walking. The guide also includes advice on transport, bases and safety, a tick-list of the 3000m peaks and a Spanish-English glossary.




Trekking the GR-141


Book Description

The GR-141, La Gran Senda de Ronda, is an averagely challenging circular hiking trail of 110 kilometres divided into six stages, beginning and ending in the beautiful mountain town of Ronda in southern Spain. The trail can comfortably be walked from village to village so there's no need to carry camping gear. GR is short for Gran Recorrido or 'long distance footpath'. The GR-141 was created and waymarked just 10 years ago is still relatively unknown, unlike the Camino de Santiago further north. So this is the time to hike the trail!The trail passes through some of the most spectacular mountain terrain in Andalucía following a mixture of footpaths and remote forestry tracks. Highlights include visiting Ronda, one of Europe's most spectacular towns, riverside walking beside the beautiful Genal and Guadiaro rivers and the stunning gorge of Colmenar where you can observe a vulture colony at close quarters. The trail threads its way through the chestnut forests of the Genal valley and the ancient cork oak forests of the Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales. This is one of the few GR trails that can be comfortably covered in a week's holiday and the walk's start and end point at Ronda is easily reached by road and by rail from all major airports in southern Spain. Each of the six legs can be comfortably tackled in a day of walking whilst the two longer, more challenging initial stages can be divided if you prefer to cover less distance. The route follows a mixture of footpaths, farm tracks and drovers' routes with just a few short sections of tarmac road. The Gran Senda is waymarked with signboards at the beginning of each stage that detail the distance and estimated timings along with an overview map. Guy Hunter-Watts is Andalucía's best known writer of walking guides. His other books include Walking in Andalucía, Coastal Walks in Andalucía, Trekking the GR7, The Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk and The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema. The book includes descriptions of each village through which the trail passes with the author's recommendations for the best places to stay. All the villages through which the trail passes have their own charm and are delightfully unspoiled. GPX tracks of all stages are available FOC from the author.




The GR5 Trail


Book Description

A guidebook to trekking the southern section of the GR5 trail between Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) and either Nice or Menton. Covering 674km (420 miles), this long-distance trek through the French Alps can be walked in 1 month and is suitable for moderately experienced hikers. The route is described from north to south in 32 stages, each between 11 and 31km (7–19 miles) in length. Variant routes such as the GR55 through the Vanoise National Park and the GR52 through the Mercantour National Park finishing at Menton are also detailed. 1:100,000 maps included for each stage Detailed information about accommodation, facilities and public transport along the route A south–north route summary table is also provided for those wanting to walk in the opposite direction Part of a 3-volume set, accompanying Cicerone guidebooks The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura and The GR5 Trail - Benelux and Lorraine are also available







Japan's Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage


Book Description

Guidebook to Japan's Kumano Kodo, a series of UNESCO-listed pilgrimage routes that crisscross the mountainous Kii peninsula, south of Osaka. Centred on three Shinto-Buddhist shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan, the ancient trails blend great hiking and exceptional natural beauty with a unique insight into Japan's rich history, culture and spirituality. The guide covers the 64km Nakahechi and 63km Kohechi trails in full, as well as the Choishimichi route to Koyasan (20km), the Hongu loop (17km) and highlights of the Iseji trail. It can be used to plan and undertake an independent trek or to enrich an organised tour. Clear route description and mapping is accompanied by comprehensive details of accommodation and facilities, as well as notes on local points of interest and inspirational colour photography. You'll find a wealth of practical information to help with planning, covering transport, climate, accommodation, budgeting, equipment and safety, as well as fascinating background information on history, religion and wildlife. There is also a Japanese glossary and helpful advice on Japanese customs and etiquette. The Kumano Kodo offers a different view of Japan: far removed from the modern cities, this is a world of forested slopes, hidden valleys, waterfalls, traditional villages, moss-covered stone deities and tranquil oji shrines. There are opportunities to experience hot-spring bathing and to sample local cuisine as you follow in the footsteps of emperors, samurai, priests and ascetics traversing traditional flagstone paths and forest trails.




The Pilgrims' Way


Book Description

A guidebook to walking the Pilgrims’ Way, a 230 km (138 mile) historic pilgrimage route to Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, home of the shrine of the martyred archbishop, St Thomas Becket. With relatively easy walking on ancient pathways, it can be comfortably completed in under a fortnight. The route is presented in 15 stages ranging between 7 and 22 kms (5-14 miles) and is described from both Winchester in Hampshire (138 miles) and London’s Southwark Cathedral (90 miles), with an optional link to Rochester. 1:50,000 OS mapping for each stage Detailed information on accommodation, public transport, and refreshments for each stage Information on the historical background of the pilgrimage, historical figures, and local points of interest GPX files available to download Facilities table to help you plan your itinerary




Trekking in the Apennines


Book Description

A guidebook to trekking the Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA), a 400km waymarked trail through Italy’s Appenine mountains. Extending from Bocca Trabaria to Passo Due Santi through the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the route is straightforward and suitable for a broad range of trekkers, with walking on paths, forestry tracks and quiet lanes. The GEA is presented in 23 day stages, graded by difficulty, of between 8 and 25km, with accommodation available at each stage end (though camping is also possible on some stages). With convenient access by public transport, it is also easy to walk a shorter section of the route. Route description illustrated with sketch mapping and elevation profiles Comprehensive notes on accommodation and facilities Peaks including Monte Prado (the highest peak in Tuscany) Advice on preparation and planning Sized to easily fit in a jacket pocket




The Coast to Coast Walk


Book Description

Guidebook and Ordnance Survey map booklet to the Coast to Coast Walk. The route stretches some 188 miles (302km) from St Bees on Cumbria's west coast to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire. It is suitable for most fit walkers and can be comfortably walked in around a fortnight. The full Coast to Coast route is described from west to east in 13 stages of between 10 and 21 miles, with high and low-level alternatives for crossing the Yorkshire Dales and comprehensive route summaries for those preferring to walk the trail in the opposite direction. The guidebook comes with a separate map booklet of 1:25,000 scale OS maps showing the full route. Clear step-by-step route descriptions in the guide are illustrated by 1:100,000 OS map extracts. The route description links together with the map booklet at each stage along the way, and the compact format is conveniently sized for slipping into a jacket pocket or the top of a rucksack. A comprehensive trek planner offers a helpful overview of facilities on route, and full accommodation listings and useful contacts can be found in the appendices. There is also a wealth of background information covering geology, history, wildlife and plants, and a list of further reading.