'Gordon reminds us that mountain hiking is something all of us can enjoy no matter what age we are so long as we are reasonably fit (although not obsessively so). This is a comprehensive and well written book, a joy to read and one that should take a lot of fear out of our of preparations.'
'Informative and entertaining. Gordon is a fine companion to have in your rucksack for a hike in the Pyrenees.'
‘Very well researched and full of lots of useful and practical information for those setting out on the trail. The author’s personal account gives a good sense of what the walker can expect on different sections.’
This book makes the
maps
worthwhile. It is unique among guidebooks to the Pyrenean traverse in that it provides day-by-day route descriptions
plus much more. Although you may end some long days feeling footsore and weary, the point is to enjoy the traverse as
the experience of a lifetime. The book provides a wealth of practical advice on travel, accommodation, travelling light, footpaths, maps, poles, GPS and other trekking aids. The route descriptions lead you into fantastic mountain scenery, wild, lonely places, and to witness nature raw in tooth and claw. The book also leads you into the Pyrenees of people and their sometimes heroic, sometimes tragic, histories on both sides of this political frontier between France and Spain. You engage with Basque and Catalan cultures and mountain livelihoods, as well as French and Spanish. You have the company, shared experience, fun and laughter of others who are doing the same. Above all the book encourages you to think beyond putting one foot in front of the other, in other words to be a
hiker without borders, and even create your own route if you wish. It is intended for any reasonably fit person of whatever age who enjoys hiking and is grabbed by the idea of traversing these fascinating mountains from one coast to another.
This ebook replaces an earlier edition with a change in title, and updates to routes, maps and website links. It is stand-alone of course, but it also provides a good companion to the previous edition paperback version which is still available with a main title 'Space for Wonder'.