November 17th is National Take A Hike Day! Whether you're braving the cold today or planning your next hike for a warmer day, these library books can help!
100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails by Kate Siber
"Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, wisdom from expert hikers like Andrew Skurka, need-to-know travel information, and practical wildlife-spotting tips, this inspirational guide offers the planet's best experiences for hikers and sightseers. From short day hikes--California's Sierra High Route, Lake Agnes Teahouse in Alberta, Norway's Mt. Skala--to multiday excursions like Mt. Meru in Tanzania and multi-week treks (Egypt's Sinai Trail, Bhutan's Snowman Trek, and the Bibbulum Track in Australia), you'll find a hike that matches your interests and skill level. Crossing all continents and climates (from the jungles of Costa Rica to the ice fields in Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Parks), as well as experiences (a wine route through Switzerland or moose spotting on the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming,) there is a trail for everyone in these pages. So pack your gear and lace your boots: this comprehensive and innovative guide will lead you to experience the best hikes of your life!" -From the Publisher
The Green Guide to Low-Impact Hiking and Camping by Laura Waterman & Guy Waterman
"Originally published as Backwoods Ethics in 1979, Laura and Guy Waterman's definitive guide to low-impact hiking and camping was a prophetic call to reevaluate the impact of outdoor recreation on the wilderness. Enthusiastically received by environmentalists and wilderness managers at the time, its warnings and advice are now more relevant than ever. With wisdom and gentle humor, Laura and Guy Waterman present a strong case for the importance of respecting the natural world while you're enjoying it. In his foreword to the new edition, world-famous environmentalist Bill McKibben puts the Watermans' advice into context for today's world. Day hikers, campers, and backpackers who follow the sensible techniques laid out in this book will help preserve the wilderness experience for generations to come." -From the Publisher
1001 Walks You Must Take Before You Die: Country Hikes, Heritage Trails, Coastal Strolls, Mountain Paths, City Walks
"This generously illustrated volume features 1,001 carefully selected scenic walks throughout the world in both natural and urban settings—from Africa’s Rift Valley to the Appalachian Trail. This latest volume in the hugely popular 1,001 series is the ideal guide to the world’s most exhilarating walks, hikes, and views. Walking is one of our favorite pastimes and one of the easiest—and healthiest—ways to explore the world. It allows walkers to go at their own pace, savor local colors and details, and discover sights that would be missed if in a car or even on a bicycle. The popularity of recreational walking is on the rise with the growing number of trails and the conversion of former canal towpaths and railway lines, like New York’s High Line, into mixed-use walkways. Wide-ranging routes carefully selected for scenic beauty, historic attributes, or natural charms include California’s John Muir Trail, the Miami Beach Art Deco walk, Hadrian’s Wall and Offa’s Dyke paths in England, the Italian lakes, and many others, from easy jaunts to more rugged hikes.Each entry provides essential details about a must-try walk, including start and finish points, overall distance, difficulty rating, maps, and likely duration, making this book an inspiring reference for anyone looking to venture off the beaten path." -From the Publisher
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Chicago: Including Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana by Ted Villaire
"The best way to experience Chicagoland is by hiking it! Get outdoors with Illinois author Ted Villaire as he helps you find and enjoy the top hikes within 60 miles of the city. A perfect blend of popular trails and hidden gems, the selected trails transport you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings that renew your spirit and recharge your body. Go bird-watching at Goose Lake Prairie. Immerse yourself in history along the I&M Canal Trail. Experience breathtaking views from secluded Lake Michigan beaches. Marvel at the awe-inspiring sand dunes in Northwest Indiana. With a highly accomplished outdoors writer as your guide, you’ll learn about the area and experience nature through 60 of Chicago’s best hikes! Each hike description features key at-a-glance information on distance, difficulty, scenery, traffic, hiking time, and more, so you can quickly and easily learn about each trail. Detailed directions, GPS-based trail maps, and elevation profiles help to ensure that you know where you are and where you’re going. Tips on nearby activities further enhance your enjoyment of every outing. Whether you’re a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Chicago provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from Chicago and the surrounding communities." -From the Publisher
Hike: Adventures on Foot
"It’s hard to beat the satisfaction of traveling on foot – settling into a steady rhythm, surrounded by incredible scenery, with the freedom to stop wherever takes your fancy. This endlessly rewarding – and sustainable – activity is joyously celebrated in Hike, which reveals 125 of the most scenic and spectacular walking trails across the globe. It’s the ultimate inspiration for exploring under your own steam: ramble along coastal paths in Europe, scale soaring mountain peaks in Africa and trek through amber-hued canyons in North America. Compiled by a team of outdoor enthusiasts, this book is packed with ideas for your next hiking trip. Awe-inspiring images and compelling descriptions of each trail will have you itching to get walking, while handy maps, elevation profiles, and practical information – including things like distance and total elevation gain – will help you plan the nitty-gritty of your trip. We’ve also included the best places to explore en route – whether that’s lunch spots, epic viewpoints, or nearby must-see sights – as well as suggestions for alternative ways to tackle a trail. Hike is your ticket to the adventure of a lifetime." -From the Publisher
Epic Hikes of the Americas
"Lace up your hiking boots for the next in Lonely Planet’s highly successful Epic Hikes series, this time exploring 50 of the Americas’ most rewarding treks and trails. From Canada's longest hut-to-hut hike, the Sunshine Coast Trail, to a descent through Havasu Canyon in the USA, and the Santa Cruz Trail of northern Peru, we cover a huge variety of themes and experiences across routes that range from one-day walks to multi-day treks." -From the Publisher
How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Backpacking by Diana Helmuth
"Part critique of modern hiking culture and part how-to guide, How to Suffer Outside is for anyone who wants to hit the trail without breaking the bank. Diana Helmuth offers real advice, opinionated but accessible and based on in-the-field experiences. She wins readers’ hearts and trust through a blend of self-deprecating humor and good-natured heckling of both seasoned backpackers and urbanites who romanticize being outdoorsy, plus a helpful dose of the actual advice a novice needs to get started. Featuring illustrations by artist Latasha Dunston, each chapter focuses on a critical topic: gear, food, hygiene, clothing, and more, along with useful checklists and resources. Humorous, philosophical, and practical, How to Suffer Outside teaches casual walkers, hikers, and campers of all stripes how to venture outdoors with confidence."
Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability by Summer Michaud-Skog
"From the founder of the Fat Girls Hiking community comes an inclusive, inspiring call to the outdoors for people of all body types, sizes, and backgrounds. In a book brimming with heartfelt stories, practical advice, personal profiles of Fat Girls Hiking community members, and helpful trail reviews, Summer Michaud-Skog creates space for marginalized bodies with an insistent conviction that outdoor recreation should welcome everyone. Whether you’re an experienced or aspiring hiker, you’ll be empowered to hit the trails and find yourself in nature. Trails not scales!" -From the Publisher
The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail by Andrew Skurka
"Whether you're a first-time backpacker, an occasional weekend warrior, or a seasoned long-distance trekker, this guide is a must for any backpacking, hiking, or camping trip. Supreme long-distance hiker Andrew Skurka—accomplished adventure athlete, speaker, guide, and writer—shares his knowledge in this essential guide to backpacking gear and skills. Skurka recounts what he's learned from more than 30,000 miles of long-distance hikes, including the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails, and the 4,700-mile Alaska-Yukon Expedition. A show-and-tell guide to clothing, footwear, backpacks, shelter and sleep systems, camp stoves, and more, as well as tips on foot care, campsite selection, and hiking efficiency, this single book contains all the knowledge you'll need to hit the trail." -From the Publisher
Women Who Hike: Walking with America’s Most Inspiring Adventurers by Heather Balogh Rochfort
"A celebration of athleticism, wisdom, and skill—Women Who Hike profiles over twenty of America’s most inspiring women adventurers ranging from legends to the rising stars of today. The book is both inspirational and aspirational as each adventurer tells her story in her own words through featuring their favorite hike, highlighting personal challenges, accomplishments, and philosophy, as well as providing readers with practical how-to suggestions on maximizing not only their own potential in hiking but in life. The profiles are complemented by stunning color photographs. Each profile includes a map of the hike being profiled, hike specs, miles and directions, GPS coordinates to the trailhead, and a sidebar of something noteworthy about the hike, the location, or the adventurer." -From the Publisher