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Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World
With stories of 50 incredible hiking routes in 30 countries, from New Zealand to Peru, plus a further 150 suggestions, Lonely Planet’s Epic Hikes of the World will inspire a lifetime of adventure on foot. From one-day jaunts and urban trails to month-long thru-hikes, cultural rambles and mountain expeditions, each journey shares one defining feature: being truly epic.
In this follow-up to Epic Bike Rides and Epic Drives, we share our adventures on the world’s best treks and trails. Epic Hikes is organised by continent, with each route brought to life by a first-person account, beautiful photographs and charming illustrated maps. Additionally, each hike includes trip planning advice on how to get there, where to stay, what to pack and where to eat, as well as recommendations for three similar hikes in other regions of the world.
Hikes featured include:
Africa the Middle East:
Cape Town’s Three Peaks (South Africa)
Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Camp to Camp in South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)
Americas:
Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park (USA)
Skyline Trail, Jasper National Park (Canada)
Concepción volcano hike (Nicaragua)
Asia:
88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku Pilgrimage (Japan)
Markha Valley (India)
Gubeikou to Jinshanling on the Great Wall (China)
Europe:
Wordsworth’s Backyard: Dove Cottage and around Rydal and Grasmere (UK)
Alpine Pass Route (Switzerland)
Camino de Santiago (Spain)
Oceania:
Sydney’s Seven Bridges Walk (Australia)
The Routeburn Track (New Zealand)
Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
In this follow-up to Epic Bike Rides and Epic Drives, we share our adventures on the world’s best treks and trails. Epic Hikes is organised by continent, with each route brought to life by a first-person account, beautiful photographs and charming illustrated maps. Additionally, each hike includes trip planning advice on how to get there, where to stay, what to pack and where to eat, as well as recommendations for three similar hikes in other regions of the world.
Hikes featured include:
Africa the Middle East:
Cape Town’s Three Peaks (South Africa)
Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Camp to Camp in South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)
Americas:
Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park (USA)
Skyline Trail, Jasper National Park (Canada)
Concepción volcano hike (Nicaragua)
Asia:
88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku Pilgrimage (Japan)
Markha Valley (India)
Gubeikou to Jinshanling on the Great Wall (China)
Europe:
Wordsworth’s Backyard: Dove Cottage and around Rydal and Grasmere (UK)
Alpine Pass Route (Switzerland)
Camino de Santiago (Spain)
Oceania:
Sydney’s Seven Bridges Walk (Australia)
The Routeburn Track (New Zealand)
Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
328 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2018
307 people are currently reading
1402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 6, 2018
I'll be honest and say that I have no intention of going on these hikes. And I kinda think Lonely Planet knew that when writing this book, because they even acknowledge in the intro that these hikes are difficult, challenging, and meant as a jumping off point for future exploration. Most of the hikes require a lot of experience and prep, which is fine---but for me, this means Epic Hikes is more of a "pretty and inspirational" book than an actual guide.
The book covers hikes from all over the world, broken down by broad geographical locations. Hikes featured are in Africa (3), the Americas (11), Asia (9), Europe (18), and Oceania (9). Only the Table of Contents has a symbol next to each hike indicating how difficult it is. I wish that info had been included at the beginning of each hike section, but oh well.
Each hike begins with a first-hand account written by an official Lonely Planet explorer. That's followed by a zoomed out map of the hike, a very short fact section on how to tackle the hike and what to expect (e.g., start here, bring this equipment, etc.), and, last, a "More Like This" section that talks about similar hikes you might enjoy, not necessarily on the same continent.
There are also lots of beautiful pics with surprisingly detailed captions that explain a fair amount of history about geography, customs, local animals, etc. I learned a lot by reading them.
Ultimately, this is another coffee table book in my house. But I love it! I love the cover, the photos, and the information inside. It's been a great conversation starter with company--and even with my kids.
Thanks to Amazon Vine for the ARC!
The book covers hikes from all over the world, broken down by broad geographical locations. Hikes featured are in Africa (3), the Americas (11), Asia (9), Europe (18), and Oceania (9). Only the Table of Contents has a symbol next to each hike indicating how difficult it is. I wish that info had been included at the beginning of each hike section, but oh well.
Each hike begins with a first-hand account written by an official Lonely Planet explorer. That's followed by a zoomed out map of the hike, a very short fact section on how to tackle the hike and what to expect (e.g., start here, bring this equipment, etc.), and, last, a "More Like This" section that talks about similar hikes you might enjoy, not necessarily on the same continent.
There are also lots of beautiful pics with surprisingly detailed captions that explain a fair amount of history about geography, customs, local animals, etc. I learned a lot by reading them.
Ultimately, this is another coffee table book in my house. But I love it! I love the cover, the photos, and the information inside. It's been a great conversation starter with company--and even with my kids.
Thanks to Amazon Vine for the ARC!
April 29, 2019
The trouble with this book is that I cannot go on any of these hikes because I am swamped and unable to choose from the amount of inspirational walks offered here. Walking the Pacific coastal route from Mexico to Canada for three months is calling to me but if the Grizzly bears don't get me my wife sure will when I get back!
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September 8, 2024Mye god inspo. Kommer neppe til å gå mer enn toppen en brøkdel. Men kan ikke ta ifra boka at den er vakker og lærerik. 10kr for en sådan coffee table book. 10/10
February 8, 2025
Been reading this book for the past 5 weeks and I now have a spreadsheet with dozens of hikes I MUST go on
September 9, 2021
Basically, does what it says on the packet: different authors discussing hikes around the world which can be completed in a day (short), a few days (medium) or weeks to months (long). Some of the authors beautifully capture the thrill of the adventure together with the hardship of the slog.
The reason this isn’t a 5-star book is as follows:
- Bias of locations. The book isn’t so much great hikes of the world, but pretty good hikes NEAR YOU. Lonely Planet, the publisher, is at its heart an Australian company. The trouble is that a book purporting to be about the world’s epic hikes should be as agnostic as possible, with a small nod to practicalities. The upshot of this is that Australia receives 5 of the 50 hikes, USA gets 6 of the 11 bequeathed to all the Americas, yet Africa receives only 3 hikes in total. The balance is out and as such I'm sure there are many hikes which should have received deeper coverage that are missed.
- Layout. This is a bit picky, but the top 1/3 page of each hike is the title of each hike, but doesn’t list country (ok, there is a grey image of country, but can you discern between Iceland, Switzerland or Singapore), hike distance etc. It’s on the back page. I don’t like the layout as I think the key metrics should be listed at the start.
- Some of the writing is hit and miss. It would have been nice to have a bio for each of the writers, rather than simply their names listed at the end (why not list their names at the end of the hike instead of initials—weird?).
It’s a fantasy book that really does stoke the imagination. Enchanting and includes some great photography.
The reason this isn’t a 5-star book is as follows:
- Bias of locations. The book isn’t so much great hikes of the world, but pretty good hikes NEAR YOU. Lonely Planet, the publisher, is at its heart an Australian company. The trouble is that a book purporting to be about the world’s epic hikes should be as agnostic as possible, with a small nod to practicalities. The upshot of this is that Australia receives 5 of the 50 hikes, USA gets 6 of the 11 bequeathed to all the Americas, yet Africa receives only 3 hikes in total. The balance is out and as such I'm sure there are many hikes which should have received deeper coverage that are missed.
- Layout. This is a bit picky, but the top 1/3 page of each hike is the title of each hike, but doesn’t list country (ok, there is a grey image of country, but can you discern between Iceland, Switzerland or Singapore), hike distance etc. It’s on the back page. I don’t like the layout as I think the key metrics should be listed at the start.
- Some of the writing is hit and miss. It would have been nice to have a bio for each of the writers, rather than simply their names listed at the end (why not list their names at the end of the hike instead of initials—weird?).
It’s a fantasy book that really does stoke the imagination. Enchanting and includes some great photography.
December 20, 2022
If you don’t increase your travel budget after this, you missed it
Really this is an over-arching view of some of the best hikes in the world. Sort of a list that whets the appetite and provides the kernel of inspiration. I ended up making a list and immediately planned two trips for the coming year. Definitely a must read for any traveler who loves to walk the destinations in search of beauty, culture, and adventure.
Really this is an over-arching view of some of the best hikes in the world. Sort of a list that whets the appetite and provides the kernel of inspiration. I ended up making a list and immediately planned two trips for the coming year. Definitely a must read for any traveler who loves to walk the destinations in search of beauty, culture, and adventure.
January 27, 2024
I really wanted to like this more than I did.
Pros: extensive collection of hikes in one spot, some beautiful pictures. The "more like this" was nice. The table of contents has easy identifiers of difficulty of hike but this got lost in the actual book.
Cons: the structure lost me a bit. Roughly grouped by continent but bouncing around a bit (ex: Americas goes from USA to Chile to USA to Canada to Nicaragua to USA to Canada to Peru to USA. WHHHHHYYYYYYY!!!) It wasn't always clear to me where they were, I had to flip to the next page for details, I found myself wanting to know the distance/ details FIRST before the description. Some of the writing was dull, some of the picture selections I question. And while the book does include a variety of lengths, it did seem largely to be long, multiple day or even week/ month hikes most predominantly featured. As a day hiker, this was disappointing. It really just gives you a tiny taste of hikes and is by no means a good reference book for executing these hikes.
Pros: extensive collection of hikes in one spot, some beautiful pictures. The "more like this" was nice. The table of contents has easy identifiers of difficulty of hike but this got lost in the actual book.
Cons: the structure lost me a bit. Roughly grouped by continent but bouncing around a bit (ex: Americas goes from USA to Chile to USA to Canada to Nicaragua to USA to Canada to Peru to USA. WHHHHHYYYYYYY!!!) It wasn't always clear to me where they were, I had to flip to the next page for details, I found myself wanting to know the distance/ details FIRST before the description. Some of the writing was dull, some of the picture selections I question. And while the book does include a variety of lengths, it did seem largely to be long, multiple day or even week/ month hikes most predominantly featured. As a day hiker, this was disappointing. It really just gives you a tiny taste of hikes and is by no means a good reference book for executing these hikes.
April 27, 2023
Let's Get Hiking
If you're a hiking enthusiast, this is a must-read.
This stunning book takes you on a journey across the globe, highlighting some of the most awe-inspiring hikes in the world.
The vivid descriptions and breathtaking photos are sure to get your heart pumping with excitement, as you imagine yourself trekking through rugged terrain and breathtaking landscapes.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book is the way it strays from traditional travel guides, focusing solely on hiking and showcasing destinations that truly reward those who are willing to work for it. I really love what Lonely is doing in their explore series.
From the majestic peaks of Patagonia to the rugged wilderness of Alaska, "Epic Hikes of the World" is a true celebration of the outdoors.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking adventure and inspiration.
4.8/5
If you're a hiking enthusiast, this is a must-read.
This stunning book takes you on a journey across the globe, highlighting some of the most awe-inspiring hikes in the world.
The vivid descriptions and breathtaking photos are sure to get your heart pumping with excitement, as you imagine yourself trekking through rugged terrain and breathtaking landscapes.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book is the way it strays from traditional travel guides, focusing solely on hiking and showcasing destinations that truly reward those who are willing to work for it. I really love what Lonely is doing in their explore series.
From the majestic peaks of Patagonia to the rugged wilderness of Alaska, "Epic Hikes of the World" is a true celebration of the outdoors.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking adventure and inspiration.
4.8/5
October 22, 2022
I'm so glad such books exist. I won't ever be able to go on more difficult trails but that doesn't mean I don't want to see them. This useful guide takes you all across the globe and shows you the most scenic hikes and doesn't omit using maps, elevation data, length (in kilometers as well as miles) and even gives you pointers where to start your journey or where to sleep if it takes more days. There are more levels of difficulty so you can choose the trails based on how experienced you are. I love it.
January 2, 2023
During COVID I began my love affair with hiking and since then have hiked trails in several U.S. National Parks. Santa must have heard about my new passion because he gave me this eye candy hiking book which highlights some of the most incredible hiking routes around the world.
I already had on my hiking bucket list the Camino de Santiago, but now have added Choquequiro: The Inca Trail, Parts of the Great Wall of China, Mallorca's Dry Stone Route, The Fimmvorduhals in Iceland, The Lake District and The Thames River Walks in Britain. My bucket list is overflowing. Thanks Santa!
I already had on my hiking bucket list the Camino de Santiago, but now have added Choquequiro: The Inca Trail, Parts of the Great Wall of China, Mallorca's Dry Stone Route, The Fimmvorduhals in Iceland, The Lake District and The Thames River Walks in Britain. My bucket list is overflowing. Thanks Santa!
January 30, 2019
Oh my God! All the hikes I'm going to go on now! I'm already active planning at least three of these. It's not really a planning guide, as that sort of information is lacking, but it is an inspirational guide that will make you start researching immediately. I like that I can look hikes up by country in the index, so I can combine it with other trips that I'm already doing.
December 31, 2020
I was on a mission to finish everything I started this year, so I can start afresh in 2021.
This was such a cool book that helped me through a year where I wasn't really able to travel.
One criticism is that some of the texts were better than others, but that is to be expected in an anthology like this one.
This was such a cool book that helped me through a year where I wasn't really able to travel.
One criticism is that some of the texts were better than others, but that is to be expected in an anthology like this one.
March 20, 2022
Definitely epic. I started writing a list of the hikes I’d like to attempt and I feel like I wrote most of them down. I may not have the skills to do some, but man achieving these would be great.
Plus there is bonus hikes mentioned that are similar to to main hike mentioned for each one.
These hikes are downfield not for everyone which is why it’s definitely epic!
Plus there is bonus hikes mentioned that are similar to to main hike mentioned for each one.
These hikes are downfield not for everyone which is why it’s definitely epic!
January 4, 2020
Offers a good range of hikes and gives interesting and useful information to help you decide if you want to investigate the particular walks further. In addition, there are alternatives given for the types of hikes included so if you want to enjoy a similar experience you can see the options.
September 18, 2020
This was OK. There were a lot of hikes that were new to me and that I would like to try. The format was decent, the pictures were generally very good, and the writing was tolerable. Some of the descriptions were tedious where I think they could have been inspiring, but overall this was pretty good for a list-of-activities style travel book.
The general formula is: great hike with 3-5 page description and pictures, compressed listing of critical details, then 2-3 similar hikes elsewhere.
The general formula is: great hike with 3-5 page description and pictures, compressed listing of critical details, then 2-3 similar hikes elsewhere.
November 7, 2021
Amazingly detailed and helpful book to highlight hikes all over the world. I really like the suggestions they give after each hike they highlight so you can find similar hikes elsewhere. Cannot wait to get out there! Really great book series.
January 22, 2022
An enjoyable way to explore many hikes and opportunities. Sometimes the information and maps seemed very vague and not all that informative. I guess I would have liked more detail to really rope me in and make me bookmark some adventures for the future.
April 22, 2023
BEST BOOK OF its kind
This is truly the definitive source for this content. Have looked at lots that are similar - THIS IS THE BEST BOOK! Originally i had a library loan then a kindle. NOW I OWN IT IN HARDBACK. IT IS SO SO GOOD!
This is truly the definitive source for this content. Have looked at lots that are similar - THIS IS THE BEST BOOK! Originally i had a library loan then a kindle. NOW I OWN IT IN HARDBACK. IT IS SO SO GOOD!
December 13, 2018
Wonderful. I wanna hike them ALL!
January 24, 2019
Jam packed with interesting jaunts all over the globe.
February 16, 2019
Great hike planning guide
February 26, 2019
One major problem with this book.... I now need to go win the lotto so I can no longer work and take the time to hike all the walks mentioned!
March 10, 2019
Amazing....so many places to go - this book is a great motivator to spur further research and planning.
July 2, 2019
Complete wish book for adventurers. Beautiful photos, great insights from the travelers. Best coffee table book I own. Highly recommended!
March 30, 2020
Almost as good as Epic Rides of the World!
June 19, 2020
Perfect quarantine book for planning future adventures!
March 6, 2021
There's some real good stuff in here, ranging from casual big city day hikes to multi-month cross continental wilderness treks. Lots of very pretty pictures too. Inspiring stuff.
April 11, 2021
The perfect read if you like hiking and need some ideas and inspiration in terms of where to go and which hike to do: practical, well-researched and full of useful information.
August 30, 2021
Stunning photos, very nice and relaxing read on vacation.
November 8, 2021
So many amazing hikes in this book, from multiday to urban: definitely a guide I will use for future travels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews