Walk 12 Months 12 Journeys 1200 Miles: a heartfelt adventure on foot and within

by Carol Fennell

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Carol has always been captivated by stories, whether told through art or shaped by words. A nationally exhbitied artist, she has shown her work across the United States in galleries, private collections, and public art installations. As an author she explores the intersection of art, creativity, and life, blending her visual sensibility with her love of narrative. 
When not in the studio, Carol can be found walking through wild trails or city streets, sketchbook in hand, gathering inspiration one step at a time. 

Reviews

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author had a very descriptive way of writing so you felt like you were in the place she was describing. She had a tendency to delve deep into her inner feelings and it wasn’t what I had expected or was interested in. I have done a lot of backpacking and also long hikes where I have had many luggage transported and always done a lot of research on my hikes and found that the author seemed quite unprepared and uninformed about the places she was going. Not knowing about the hills and trail conditions (mud) in the Cotswolds seemed a bit nuts especially considering they thought of themselves as experienced hikers.
I enjoyed learning about some new trails and quite a few of them I wouldn’t try after her descriptions. It seemed like most of the trails weren’t what she expected or hoped for. She did tough it out on a lot of them and in the end realized that isn’t always necessary. Just a different way of doing things and looking at walking/hiking from a perspective different from mine.
Received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways.

[Quesenberrys · Rating 5 out of 5]

My childhood friend Carolyn Whyte (Kelly) is friends with this writer (who is also an artist). The book is a memoir of sorts describing the 12 walks she and her husband Karl took in one year, written with an artist’s soul, with wisdom and learning gleaned from the experiences and shared with vulnerability. As one who walks with my spouse on these kinds of long hikes every year in England and Scotland (we actually did one of the same hikes that Ms. Fennell and her husband did—the Cotswold Way—a few years ago), it spoke to my soul and helped me see my hikes in a new light, illuminated from a different angle—rather than as check-listy accomplishments, more journeys of self-discovery—revealing a richness and meaning that I hadn’t recognized before. I will learn more on future hikes, not necessarily from what I see or hear, but from what is illuminated inside me. Beautifully written, inspirational, personal, compelling and insightful.

[Carolynk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol takes us on a journey of rich discovery, as she and her husband explore 12 destinations, each one more unique than the last, and each offering both challenges and delights. Her insights into what the land has to teach her are beautifully described and woven together into this wondrous tapestry of her year of walking with an open heart and mind. I loved every moment, and will look to walking with a renewed sense of purpose and enchantment, enjoying the path, as well as the destination.

[Cindy Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. I loved it so much I bought 4 more copies for friends and have short listed it for a book group. This book makes you want to first curl up and read it cover to cover, and then launch out into the world, inspired to do something new. Fennell's writing style is enchanting, seductive, and extremely thoughtful.

[Cindy Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading this book, I felt like I was hiking and visiting these amazing places around the world. I felt connected to the writer seeing what she saw and feeling what she felt. I loved the spiritual connection it brought to me.

[Peggy Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, heartwarming account of walking as a way to reconnect to earth and begin healing from within. The author captures the quiet power of pilgrimage and the many reasons it calls to the soul. The book didn’t just inspire me—it made me want to walk!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, Andrea. This book was definitely for me. It was fun to remember long walking adventures I have been taking and will be taking.

[Lawrence David Deffenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking With Eyes To See

The author’s descriptions and sense of wonder were so evident. It made me feel as though I could be there walking and experiencing the beauty with her.