20,000 Steps Around the World: Great Hikes, Walks, Routes, and Rambles

by Stuart Butler, Mary Caperton Morton

The world’s best hikes and walks in one volume with breathtaking photography, detailed terrain and route guides, maps, and expert descriptions—whether you need to unplug for an afternoon or get away for longer.

A carefully selected collection of 200 routes designed to appeal to perambulatory enthusiasts of all stripes. From vigorous hikes around Lake Tahoe to enjoying the charms of England’s Thames Valley, there is something for everyone.

Itineraries cover a range of sights sure to appeal to a diverse pastoral countrysides, dramatic mountain views, soothing seaside panoramas, and historical landscapes such as famous battle sites or medieval pilgrimage routes. Expert descriptions include facts and trivia only locals would know and call out special not-to-be-missed features. Some routes are easy and take a few hours, while others might require a few days to complete.

The book is organized into 50 main itineraries that link to three to five additional similar or related routes. Sample entries include New England’s Franconia Ridge Loop, Washington’s Mount Rainier Trail, the pilgrimage route of Saint Francis in Italy, and Mont Blanc, where France, Italy, and Switzerland meet.

Genres: Travel

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a good mix of well-known and not so popular hikes but some hikes didn't have much further info online and there isn't enough info in the book for the difficult treks to complete a thru hike. I think it would have been better to organise the "walk here next" section so that those follow up hikes were geographically close instead of sharing some other aspect like elevation or cave drawings which isn't always so clear or helpful. It's a very beautiful book and does have hikes from all around the world although there is still a heavy American focus. Some of the walks I wouldn't call great or epic but they are nice. It's a good starting point and interesting for a flick through, it'd be good for a beginner.

[Sionainn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh I despise the way this book is laid out. Do a hike on Vancouver Island, and where to go next? Why, South Africa, of course. The other side of the world is perfectly practicable when you’ve finished a hike in the PNW. And then? Go to Italy. Don’t bother trying to find anything nearby, that’d be incredibly convenient and time efficient.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book informative and I for sure added a handful of these hikes to my bucket list. I liked the maps and the information on different treks. I don't know if I loved the format per say? But I did find it informative.

[Mrs.Bee.17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched idea book.