About Walking Distance
Description
Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. It’s a celebration of our evolutionary heritage, stimulates our thinking, contributes to conservation and sustainability, deepens our understanding and appreciation of the world, can be a means to explore spirituality, slows our often frantic lives, and makes us healthier and happier in the process.
Robert and Martha Manning’s beautiful and inspiring book, Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People, emphasizes the accessibility of walking the world’s great natural and cultural landscapes. As the subtitle suggests, these are extraordinary hikes for ordinary people. Walk across England, around Mt. Blanc, along the great coastlines of North America and Australia, follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, walk with pilgrims to Santiago de Compostella, walk among the world’s great mountain ranges – the Sierras, Rockies, Appalachians, Andes, and Alps, walk through the Grand Canyon. And much more.
Walking Distance introduces the idea of long-distance walking, addressing why, how, and where to walk, and provides first-hand descriptions of thirty of the world’s great long-distance trails, ranging from inn-to-inn walks to backpacking treks. Trail descriptions include natural and cultural history, personal anecdotes, and practical tips, and are richly illustrated with color photographs and maps.
…walking is a joyful celebration of life and the diverse, beautiful, and curious world in which we live.
--from the Introduction
Table of Contents
Part 1: Walking Distance
Why Walk?
How to Walk
Where to Walk
Part 2: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People
Alta Via 1 (Italy)
C&O Canal (Maryland and Washington D.C., USA)
Camino de Santiago (France and Spain)
Cape Winelands Walk (South Africa)
Chilkoot Trail (Alaska, USA)
Cinque Terre (Italy)
Coast to Coast Trail (England)
Colorado Trail (Colorado, USA)
Cotswold Way (England)
Great Ocean Walk (Australia)
Inca Trail (Peru)
John Muir Trail (California, USA)
Kaibab Trail (Arizona, USA)
Kalalau Trail (Hawaii, USA)
King Ludwig’s Way (Germany)
Kungsleden (Sweden)
Long Trail (Vermont, USA)
Lost Coast Trail (California, USA)
Lycian Way (Turkey)
Milford Track (New Zealand)
Ocala Trail (Florida, USA)
Overland Track (Australia)
Paria River Canyon (Utah and Arizona, USA)
South Downs Way (England)
Superior Hiking Trail (Minnesota, USA)
Tahoe Rim Trail (California and Nevada, USA)
Tour du Mont Blanc (France, England, and Switzerland)
Walker’s Haute Route (France and Switzerland)
West Coast Trail (Canada)
West Highland Way (Scotland)
References
Books and Essays on Walking/Hiking
Index
Awards
Foreword Book of the Year
Endorsements
Follow in the footsteps of John Muir and develop your insights into nature and human nature: let Walking Distance be your guide.
--Allison Chin, President, Sierra Club
The best way to experience the world is through the intimacy of walking; walk with the Mannings and appreciate the world’s great cultural landscapes.
--Gregory Miller, President, American Hiking Society
Walking Distance is an eloquent invitation to join the walking and conservation community
--John Judge, President, Appalachian Mountain Club
Walking is one of the most sustainable forms of recreation – good for people and good for the earth. Walking Distance tells readers why, how, and where to walk.
--Kate Ashbrook, President, Ramblers
A book to read in the dead of winter so you’ll be longing for spring.
--Bill McKibben, Wandering Home
Comments from Readers
“…enthralled and inspired…”
“Your breezy prose makes it easy and pleasurable to read."
“I fell in love with your great hikes book."
“I love the spirit of adventure and exploration.”
“We have so enjoyed dreaming and scheming as we look through the pages.”
“The content is not only informative, but inspirational, the writing is engaging, and the photos are beautiful.”
“I was very impressed with both the writing and imagery.”
“The whole book is SO welcoming and invigorating - it made me want to strap on a backpack and get going!”
“Wow, is that ever inspirational!”
“This is truly an inspirational book…”
“We were looking for some inspiration to get us thinking more seriously about doing long-distance walking…and this book turned out to be just the ticket (in an almost literal sense).”
“Excellent walking ideas suitable for all levels of fitness and focus. Good trail descriptions, lovely photos, good quality printing.”
“Very inspirational book.”
“Love this book. Great descriptions and lovely photography.”
“…well organized and motivates one to want to see the world on foot.”
“Inspirational book!”
“This book filled my heart with new dreams.”
“Informative and all inclusive. Outstanding!”
“…good read with beautiful pictures and stories within.”
“Walking Distance is eloquent.”
“This is a wonderful book.”
“Beautiful pictures and descriptive text.”
“I purchased Walking Distance for all of my family…”
“Their many footsteps and key taps have resulted in a book I enjoyed reading, and treasure having in my collection. I strongly recommend it.”
“A great description of walking as a journey of exploration.”
“This is a great book on why we have to walk.”
“This book underscores just how energizing and enjoyable walking is.”
“Very nice book!”
The Authors
Robert Manning is Professor Emeritus at the University of Vermont where he studied and taught the history, philosophy, and management of national parks, wilderness, and related areas. He conducted a long-term program of research for the US National Park Service and won the University of Vermont’s highest awards for both teaching and research. Martha Manning is an artist working in fiber and printmaking. Her work is often inspired by her hikes, and has been published in national magazines and included in nationally juried shows. Bob and Martha are invited and keynote speakers at meetings around the world and are Hiking Ambassadors for the American Hiking Society. They live in Prescott, Arizona.
