Ronald Turnbull has chosen 15 of the best short walks around Dumfries and Galloway for you to explore. Our guide comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps and clear route descriptions, perfect if you're new to walking or are looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. We've included information on local beauty spots and tasty refreshment stops, and most of the walks can be completed in under 4 hours. We haven't included any walks with challenging terrain or complicated navigation, and all you'll need to take with you are a waterproof jacket and a pair of comfortable trainers.

A fully waymarked trail from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere, the Dales Way links two of England's most celebrated national parks, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Well served for accommodation and facilities, and with easy walking on riverside paths, it is one of the gentlest multi-day walks in Britain and therefore an ideal introduction to long-distance walking. It can be comfortably completed in 6-8 days. The guide offers comprehensive notes on local points of interest, as well as an overview of Dales geology, history, plants and wildlife to enhance the walking experience. The practical information is all there too, including when to go, how to get there and what to take, making for an ideal companion to enjoying this delightful route. Presented in six daily stages of 7-19 miles (with suggestions for alternative schedules), this guide describes the Way in both directions, with the main route description running from south to north. Step-by-step route description is accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping, and a trek planner, showing where facilities are available, is included to facilitate planning. Accommodation listings and useful contacts can be found in the appendices. A separate, conveniently sized map booklet located in the back-cover sleeve provides all the OS 1:25,000 mapping needed to complete the trail.

The official guidebook to walking the Wye Valley Walk, from the river’s source on the slopes of Plynlimon through the countryside of the Wales–England border region to Chepstow. Covering 219km (136 miles), this straightforward trail takes around 10 days to hike. The route is described from north to south in 17 stages of between 8 and 20km (5–12 miles). An extra stage from Llanidloes to the start of the trail is also included. Contains step-by-step description of the route alongside 1:50,000 OS maps Refreshment and public transport information given for each route stage Stage facilities table and route summary table help you plan your itinerary GPX files available to download Notes on the region’s history and local points of interest

The Wicklow Way was the first long-distance walking trail to be established in Ireland. Coming in at 130km (81 miles), the route traverses the county of Wicklow, from Marlay Park on the outskirts of Dublin to Clonegal, just over the county border in neighbouring Carlow, and can be comfortably completed in a week. The guide also details several adjacent trails that can be interchanged with the main route, and short detours off-route (also described) lead to welcoming villages offering accommodation and a range of other facilities.The route is presented in seven stages, each with an overview followed by clear route description and mapping. There are elevation profiles and notes on local points of interest. In addition to background information about the county's history, geology, plants and wildlife, you will find all the information you need to walk the route, with helpful advice on transport, accommodation and kit. Accommodation listings, useful contacts and a glossary of Irish place-names can be found in the appendices.Wicklow is a county of varied landscapes: mountains and sweeping uplands offer extensive views, whereas other stages take you through verdant glens and past scenic lakes. The area is rich in both culture and history, with the ancient Monastic City at Glendalough a special highlight. And of course, there are characterful villages and pubs where you can experience true Irish hospitality. The Wicklow Way has plenty to commend it and is a great way to explore this wonderful county.

This guidebook describes the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek from Fort William to Cape Wrath crossing the wild northwest of the Scottish Highlands. The route is described from south to north in 14 stages, with 6 alternative stages along the way, allowing for a flexible itinerary of between two and three weeks. A long tough trek with no waymarking, this is for the tried and tested backpacker. The guidebook includes OS mapping, route profiles and detailed route descriptions and gives you all the information you need about accommodation (including hotels, bothies, B&Bs and bunkhouses), campsites and amenities en route, to help you plan and prepare for this epic challenge. The Cape Wrath Trail is regarded as the toughest long-distance route in Britain and offers unparalleled freedom and adventure to the experienced and self-sufficient backpacker prepared to walk for many days in remote wilderness. Travelling through the wild and rugged landscapes of Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt, it will test the limits of your endurance.

Guidebook to 80 graded scrambles in Snowdonia, North Wales. This revised edition of Steve Ashton's classic guide is illustrated with photo topos, and includes 16 routes selected by the updaters, as well as all the classic routes including the Snowdon Horseshoe, North Ridge of Tryfan, Bristly Ridge and the Cneifion and Cyfrwy Aretes.

Guide to 106 scrambling routes in the south of the English Lake District, covering Langdale, Coniston, Eskdale, Patterdale & High Street. A comprehensive collection of scrambles on crags and gills, which are linked together to form 24 first-class mountain days. The carefully graded routes range from scrambling grade 1 to climbing grade V Diff, so there is something for beginners as well as veteran mountaineers. Rock climbing equipment is needed for more difficult routes. Each scramble is clearly described with notes about grade, quality, aspect and approach, with colour maps and topos to aid navigation. There is information on safety and equipment, and listings of scrambles by location and grade allow the reader to assemble their own tailor-made combination of routes. The Lake District is one of the most scenic areas in the world and this guide offers new routes in previously unexplored corners of the region alongside popular classics such as Jack's Rake, Esk Gorge and Pinnacle Ridge, as well as dramatic gills like Dungeon and Linkcove Gill. 10 classic rock climbs are also presented including Giant's Crawl, Middlefell Buttress and Crescent Climb.

Dumfries and Galloway is an area of rural charm and striking landscapes, where a slower pace of living and travelling comes naturally. The first comprehensive guidebook to the area, Bradt's Slow Travel Dumfries and Galloway covers the region in depth, from Eskdale to Scotland's southern tip at the Mull of Galloway, via Annandale, Nithsdale, Dumfries, The Stewartry, The Machars and Moors, and the Rhins. Lively descriptions, historical anecdotes and enthusiastic writing combine with hand-picked accommodation recommendations to reveal one of Scotland's best kept secrets. With the local tourist board halfway through an ambitious six-year plan, the area's profile is on the up. Go now, before the secret is out.

A guidebook to trekking Portugal’s Rota Vicentina, a 224km (139 mile) trail comprised of the Historial Way (Caminho Histórico) and the Fishermen’s Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores). With the central stages hugging the Atlantic seaboard, the route stretches from Santiago do Cacém to the southwestern tip of mainland Europe at Cabo de São Vicente. The trail is suitable for most walkers, with stages graded easy or moderate. The main route is presented in 12 stages of between 12 and 24km (7–15 miles). Also included in the guidebook is a four-stage inland variant running north from Odeceixe to form a circuit with the northern half of the main route. Route description illustrated with 1:100,000 mapping GPX files available for download Refreshment and accommodation information provided for each trek stage Accommodation listings Advice on planning and preparation

This guide describes a varied selection of 57 walks on the Portuguese island of Madeira, exploring the dramatic cliff coastline, scenic levadas (irrigation channels), dense laurisilva 'cloud' forests and high mountain peaks, plus three walks on neighbouring Porto Santo. There are routes to suit all abilities, from easy, level levada walks to steep and rugged mountain paths - some with exposed sections calling for a sure foot and good head for heights. Since the steep terrain of Madeira does not easily support circular walks, many of the routes are linear, however most can be accessed by public transport and there is the option to link routes to create longer outings and multi-day hikes. With a favourable climate and striking scenery, Madeira is a fantastic walking destination. The routes in this guide are spread across the whole island, and visitors may choose to base themselves in the capital, Funchal, or in one of the many smaller towns and villages. Regular flights and ferries link Madeira with Porto Santo, which boasts an exceptional sandy beach and pleasant, easy walking. The guide also outlines a day-cruise to the nearby uninhabited Ilhas Desertas. Comprehensive route description, overview statistics and sketch mapping are provided for each walk. There is practical advice on travel and transport, a basic map of central Funchal and fascinating notes of Madeira's geology, history, plants and wildlife. Useful contacts and a Portuguese-English glossary (including a menu decoder) can be found in the appendices.