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Hiking & Backpacking A Complete Guide
Here is the ultimate illustrated how-to guide to hiking and backpacking from Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure, the hit public television series that has encouraged millions of viewers to hit the trail.
Hiking & Backpacking is a guidebook to a world of adventure that is as close as a nearby footpath, as simple as an outing club dayhike, as expansive as the 2,000-mile length of the Appalachian Trail, as challenging as you want it to be. With commonsense advice honed by thousands of miles on the trail, author Karen Berger shows beginners and experienced hikers alike how easy it can be to see the natural world with new eyes--one step at a time.
Trailside's Hiking & Backpacking gives you the tools and the skills you need. For the beginner there are sections on starting out, learning to walk, what to wear, the right hike boots for you, how much can you carry?, using map and compass, and much more.
Hiking & Backpacking is a guidebook to a world of adventure that is as close as a nearby footpath, as simple as an outing club dayhike, as expansive as the 2,000-mile length of the Appalachian Trail, as challenging as you want it to be. With commonsense advice honed by thousands of miles on the trail, author Karen Berger shows beginners and experienced hikers alike how easy it can be to see the natural world with new eyes--one step at a time.
Trailside's Hiking & Backpacking gives you the tools and the skills you need. For the beginner there are sections on starting out, learning to walk, what to wear, the right hike boots for you, how much can you carry?, using map and compass, and much more.
224 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Karen Berger
44 books11 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Karen Berger, author of the best-selling Hiking and Backpacking: A Trailside Guide, has hiked over 15,000 miles, including the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.
Karen Berger is a pianist on the faculty of the Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She was an editor of The Instrumentalist, Clavier, and Accent on Music magazines and received the Ed Press Distinguished Achievement Award. She s the author of eleven books, including seven how-to books. She wrote three titles in the best-selling Trailside Guide series, including Hiking and Backpacking, which has sold over 150,000 copies.
Karen Berger, author of the best-selling Hiking and Backpacking: A Trailside Guide, has hiked over 15,000 miles, including the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.
Karen Berger is a pianist on the faculty of the Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She was an editor of The Instrumentalist, Clavier, and Accent on Music magazines and received the Ed Press Distinguished Achievement Award. She s the author of eleven books, including seven how-to books. She wrote three titles in the best-selling Trailside Guide series, including Hiking and Backpacking, which has sold over 150,000 copies.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 30, 2011
I especially liked the section on how to throw a bear bag!
April 1, 2020
I found this to be the most easily accessible hiking book. I read one other on lightweight backpacking and this was definitely the precursor to that and I wish I had read this first. I would have gotten more out of the lightweight one, because it’s all about downsizing. This has all the basics, almost everything you need to know to first get started. She covers all the basics and general info you need to get started, just to have some idea of what you’re doing. The compass section was the worst because, just like forestry class, I had no f’ing clue what I was doing and am hopeless at learning. That and maps, they’re just beyond me and I don’t really want to learn. But this inspired me to get out and do some small bit of hiking.
The introduction was hilarious! He has such a sense of humor and I wish he had written the book because of his sense of humor.
It's helpful that she said to first decide where you want to hike, and then go to a local outfitter for guidebooks and local trails and look for outings with local clubs. Group hikes have a leader who does the planning and you can ask them questions and learn from others. As rangers about trails at national forests and parks.
I was encouraged to learn that exercise gurus say walking is one of the best ways to achieve cardiovascular fitness. She said to add a backpack with rocks and a hill and you have a workout.
It's interesting that the boardwalks over bogs were most likely put there to protect the fragile vegetation from people walking over them, and not put there for us.
Hiking sticks take pressure off of knees, back, and legs.
They require hikers to break in their new boots before going on a hike to soften them and toughen the feet. Walk up a hill, stairs, use ankle weights, and pack backpack to prepare for the real deal. Take a blister kit to treat blisters immediately.
It's interesting that trails in the east are harder because they were built before switchbacking was invented. In the west many trails were built with pack animals in mind so they switchback gently on good footway. Many eastern trails go straight up and straight down. "More than one Coloradan has had to swallow his pride on an Appalachian mountain." Wow!
Cross the widest section of a river because it's probably the shallowest. Narrow channels are usually much deeper. If current is fast, go downstream to cross. Or angle upstream. Crossing straight across makes you most vulnerable to current.
Layering is crucial. It's better to wear multiple out layers rather than one heavy layer, because you will warm up as you hike. Wear moisture-wicking fabric against your skin and feet. Bandanas can be used as a handkerchief, sweatband, hat, mop, bandage, sling, towel, dishrag, washcloth, icepack, water filter, place mat, and napkin.
A hat acts as a thermostat. If your head is cool, put a hat on. It hot, take it off. Keeping your head warm is the most important thing on a cool day because you lose more heat through your head than anywhere else.
Practice putting up your tent before your trip in case you have to pitch it in the dark or rain.
Don't wash yourself, your pots, or clothes in a direct water source. Carry water from the source away and wash there so it doesn't pollute the water.
The illustration of avoiding ground lightning was pretty funny. Not that the subject is funny but the illustration made it so. It showed the right ways to avoid getting struck and the wrong ways. Sitting on top of rocks that are on top of other rocks and sitting on packs is right. The wrong things to do are sitting in a depression, sitting under an overhang or in a cave, and being on a ledge on a steep in line are wrong. The people in these scenarios were skeletons showing how dangerous it is and they had hats on, blue and white figures, and they did look comical.
The introduction was hilarious! He has such a sense of humor and I wish he had written the book because of his sense of humor.
It's helpful that she said to first decide where you want to hike, and then go to a local outfitter for guidebooks and local trails and look for outings with local clubs. Group hikes have a leader who does the planning and you can ask them questions and learn from others. As rangers about trails at national forests and parks.
I was encouraged to learn that exercise gurus say walking is one of the best ways to achieve cardiovascular fitness. She said to add a backpack with rocks and a hill and you have a workout.
It's interesting that the boardwalks over bogs were most likely put there to protect the fragile vegetation from people walking over them, and not put there for us.
Hiking sticks take pressure off of knees, back, and legs.
They require hikers to break in their new boots before going on a hike to soften them and toughen the feet. Walk up a hill, stairs, use ankle weights, and pack backpack to prepare for the real deal. Take a blister kit to treat blisters immediately.
It's interesting that trails in the east are harder because they were built before switchbacking was invented. In the west many trails were built with pack animals in mind so they switchback gently on good footway. Many eastern trails go straight up and straight down. "More than one Coloradan has had to swallow his pride on an Appalachian mountain." Wow!
Cross the widest section of a river because it's probably the shallowest. Narrow channels are usually much deeper. If current is fast, go downstream to cross. Or angle upstream. Crossing straight across makes you most vulnerable to current.
Layering is crucial. It's better to wear multiple out layers rather than one heavy layer, because you will warm up as you hike. Wear moisture-wicking fabric against your skin and feet. Bandanas can be used as a handkerchief, sweatband, hat, mop, bandage, sling, towel, dishrag, washcloth, icepack, water filter, place mat, and napkin.
A hat acts as a thermostat. If your head is cool, put a hat on. It hot, take it off. Keeping your head warm is the most important thing on a cool day because you lose more heat through your head than anywhere else.
Practice putting up your tent before your trip in case you have to pitch it in the dark or rain.
Don't wash yourself, your pots, or clothes in a direct water source. Carry water from the source away and wash there so it doesn't pollute the water.
The illustration of avoiding ground lightning was pretty funny. Not that the subject is funny but the illustration made it so. It showed the right ways to avoid getting struck and the wrong ways. Sitting on top of rocks that are on top of other rocks and sitting on packs is right. The wrong things to do are sitting in a depression, sitting under an overhang or in a cave, and being on a ledge on a steep in line are wrong. The people in these scenarios were skeletons showing how dangerous it is and they had hats on, blue and white figures, and they did look comical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2009
This is a meaty little book for backpackers (new and seasoned). Why? There are tidbits in this little read that are helpful. You may or may not have heard all these ... I believe in learning from others. And Karen has good sense.
November 10, 2007
This book is full of good information and is a great read for beginning hikers. It has a lot of pictures and doesn't overwhelm you with too much detail.
January 20, 2008
good basic book on the ends ands outs of hiking, what to wear, pack, how to prepare. lots of pictures.
August 8, 2017
Some of the advice is outdated in the late-90s version of this that I read, but overall I found this to be a good overview of backpacking, how to get your foot in the door, and some important considerations. As someone who is backpacking-curious, the thought of buying All The Gear is VERY overwhelming, and Berger provides good advice for getting started without getting in too deep.
March 21, 2019
Sure this book may be 24 years old, but hiking and backpacking are “simple” pleasures where the only things that change are the equipment. I want to start hiking and exploring this beautiful earth we live on, so I thought it would be a good idea to get a little familiar with what I will be facing. Now to start planning my first trip, something simple and short to get a feeling for it of course.
February 23, 2023
Un buon punto di partenza per chi non sa nulla di trekking e attrezzatura. Avrei preferito che dedicassero uno spazio maggiore alle pratiche igieniche legate al ciclo mestruale durante un trekking, cosa che invece viene solo appena citata.
August 2, 2026
Excellent mostly beginner information, some intermediate. So much fun to read. The fact that the original publication was 30 years ago changes very little about the quality of info. Nature and common sense while enjoying nature doesn't change that much.
September 14, 2018
Considering it was written in 1995 some of the content is pretty dated. Otherwise an enjoyable well laid out book with lots of information.
February 3, 2020
What you need to wear, pack, eat, plan for, and be aware of in order to enjoy backpacking. Very practical. A little dated since it was written in the 1990s.
February 3, 2023
As a manual...this book is excellent. Knowledgeable and very fun to read.
April 10, 2010
I've always liked hiking trails and walking through the woods, and last year I went backpacking in Manistee National Forest. A friend who knows about my interest in backpacking gave me this book to borrow.
I'd much rather learn about hiking and backpacking while actually on the trail, so I can't say I especially enjoyed this book. But that's more a statement about book-learning versus hands-on learning than a reflection of the book's quality. It's full of useful advice and makes a decent primer for the novice backpacker.
The book broadly covers many hiking and backpacking topics, and is a livelier read than you might expect thanks to the author's humor and a decent number of illustrations and photos (some showcasing the clothing and grooming fashions of backwoods hikers).
The author provides tips for purchasing and using clothes, packs, cooking equipment, tents, and other gear. She suggests that you shop based on quality, not price, and keep in mind that although hiking gear may be expensive up front, it allows you to take many inexpensive vacations.
Additional topics include comfortable walking habits, packing and preparing food, wilderness safety and survival, finding (or avoiding) wildlife, and navigation methods.
I'd much rather learn about hiking and backpacking while actually on the trail, so I can't say I especially enjoyed this book. But that's more a statement about book-learning versus hands-on learning than a reflection of the book's quality. It's full of useful advice and makes a decent primer for the novice backpacker.
The book broadly covers many hiking and backpacking topics, and is a livelier read than you might expect thanks to the author's humor and a decent number of illustrations and photos (some showcasing the clothing and grooming fashions of backwoods hikers).
The author provides tips for purchasing and using clothes, packs, cooking equipment, tents, and other gear. She suggests that you shop based on quality, not price, and keep in mind that although hiking gear may be expensive up front, it allows you to take many inexpensive vacations.
Additional topics include comfortable walking habits, packing and preparing food, wilderness safety and survival, finding (or avoiding) wildlife, and navigation methods.
Read
October 23, 2025Be Prepared while always associated with the Boy Scouts, this motto and way of life is now the focus of a major product release from the BSA. Headlining this launch is the Be Prepared book series from DK, beginning with Complete Wilderness Training, released April 2007. Though applicable to any outdoor enthusiast, these two new titles are a perfect match to the core Boy Scout values of outdoor activity, safety, and of course, preparation for life s journeys. This concise and informative visual guide offers practical advice on all aspects of backpacking and hiking, from choosing the appropriate gear, to pacing yourself and accommodating for difficult terrain, to making a campsite, to overcoming unexpected difficulties, such as injuries, severe weather or getting lost.
February 18, 2009
This is an O-K book. Would I recommend it to someone starting out backpacking? Probably. Would I open it after two or three trips? Doubtful. The information is really basic, but a few years with the boy scouts will probably teach you the same stuff.
This book is touted by some as a book to take with you backpacking, which is an odd thing to say when talking of such a heavy book.
I would rather you take an experienced back packer with you than this book.
This book is touted by some as a book to take with you backpacking, which is an odd thing to say when talking of such a heavy book.
I would rather you take an experienced back packer with you than this book.
June 15, 2009
A good basic overview. Berger's style is extremely easy to read, but be warned: due to the large print size, thick pages, and frequent pictures, there's actually not all that much to this book. Definitely worth looking into if you've never gone on a real hiking trip before, but if you want to go more in-depth, this is not the book for you.
December 28, 2007
I gave it 3 stars because i don't really have anything to compare it to yet (other hiking and backpacking books). I'm sure it is a solid 4 maybe even a 5 though.
Very informative. I leaned a ton from it.
Very informative. I leaned a ton from it.
May 6, 2012
Best advice:
-How to build a snow shelter
-The color of orange and the piles of three means help. Combine both for double help.
-How to organize your backpack before breaking camp each day for easy access.
-How to build a snow shelter
-The color of orange and the piles of three means help. Combine both for double help.
-How to organize your backpack before breaking camp each day for easy access.
April 14, 2007
This baby taught me not to die in the wilderness.
March 13, 2008
After completing my Ph.D., I'm refreshing and updating my backpacking skills.
May 18, 2010
previous edition
July 28, 2010
After reading this, I feel like I might actually be ready for some backcountry camping.
July 1, 2013
This was the first book I read when I started Backpacking. This book taught me A LOT !!!! Very Thankful for Karen Berger
July 22, 2013
I think this is a good book for a beginner. It really explains the gear and all the basics.
Read
June 19, 2023Good things to keep in mind when I am hiking!
April 3, 2013
Too much ice and snow to get out hiking yet, this is a fairly good substitute while I wait!
April 30, 2017
En perfekt handbok för oss som gillar att vandra oavsett om det är i Sverige eller utomlands. Med kapitel som planering, kläder, terräng, camping, säkerhet och utrustning. Mycket är givetvis sundt förnuft & självklarheter men ibland behöver man friska upp minnet. Massor med bra tips som exempelvis leder ute i världen. En som absolut lockar mig är ”West Highland Way”. 152 km låg är denna Skottlands äldsta vandringsled.
I boken får du handfasta tips om hur du packar ryggsäcken, valet av skor, checklista inför övernattningsturer osv
I boken får du handfasta tips om hur du packar ryggsäcken, valet av skor, checklista inför övernattningsturer osv
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews