Book Review - Trailblazer Guide - Coast to Coast Path

This review concentrates on the 4th edition of the Coast to Coast Path guide. Such is the popularity of these guides that it seems only yesterday that the first edition appeared on book shelves. It also shows the commitment of Trailblazer to ensuring that the content is relevant and up to date. Over the years I have walked a considerable portion of this wonderful Trail, which despite its popularity has yet to be elevated to National Trail status!

The great thing about Trailblazer guide's is that you are confident that the author has been there and done that. Too often these days editors are set the task of producing guides from far afield and often quite wrongly trust the content provided by contributors.

The guide runs to 256 pages and as usual for this series is packed with 101 trail maps and 8 town plans. Each trail map is annotated with useful observations. "Look out for red squirrels" and "Follow this instruction or you could be in danger" are typical comments that all add up to providing a practical and readable guide. As with all books in this series, there is a wide range of information on public transport (that enables you to easily construct shorter day walks), accommodation and places to eat plus notes on flora, fauna and history. Plus 40 colour photos. What more could you ask?

Verdict - I find it hard to criticise this series. After writing so many walk descriptions for this web site I understand fully the problems in writing such a guide where you have to maintain the walker's interest over 256 pages. This job is admirably done and makes for ideal fireside reading in winter - perhaps planning your next long distance walk.

Review date - 6th June 2010 - Reviewed by LJ