Hiking

Adkins, Leonard M., Victoria Logue & Frank Logue. Best of the Appalachian Trail: Day Hikes. Menasha Ridge. 3rd ed. 2018. 256p. ISBN 9781634041454. pap. $18.95.

Highlights of this guide to the Appalachian Trail include 144 short- and long-day hikes, plus features such as birdwatching, waterfalls, and wheelchair access. Ideal for those who want to experience the AT’s best in short bursts.

Gooley, Tristan. The Natural Navigator, Tenth Anniversary Edition: The Rediscovered Art of Letting Nature Be Your Guide. Experiment. 2020. 328p. ISBN 9781615197149. $17.95.

This book introduces an engaging activity that teaches navigation using senses and landmarks—skills to hone and practice while hiking—which offers another way to connect with nature. Also includes well-researched information on navigation tactics used by explorers throughout history.

Hodges, Shanti. Hike It Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers. Falcon. 2018. 376p. ISBN 9781493033904. pap. $24.95.

This book promotes connecting children with nature and offers tips for encouraging an interest in the outdoors. Hodges writes with new families in mind, to help readers discover that, in many cases, kid-friendly outdoor hiking adventures can be found close to home.

Kain, Christopher. Rugged Access for All: A Guide for Pushiking America’s Diverse Trails with Mobility Chairs and Strollers. Rowman & Littlefield. 2020. 280p. ISBN 9781538126608. $28.

This work is a guide to “pushiking,” or hiking with people who use mobility aids. Kain gives descriptions of accessible trails across the United States, and relates his own experiences pushiking with his daughter, who uses a wheelchair.

McConnell, Ruby. A Woman’s Guide to the Wild: Your Complete Outdoor Handbook. Sasquatch. 2016. 304p. ISBN 9781632170057. pap. $18.95.

Part manifesto, part guidebook, this lightly illustrated resource will be appreciated by outdoors enthusiasts, and will inspire those who want some advice before they get started. Readers learn about first aid and safety, setting up camp, trail etiquette, survival skills, and more.

Yogerst, Joe. 100 Parks, 5000 Ideas: Where To Go, When To Go, What To See, What To Do. National Geographic. 2019. 400p. ISBN 9781426220104. pap. $29.99.

Brief yet informative summaries of 100 U.S. and Canadian parks, from Denali National Park, to New York’s Central Park. Filled with highlights of hiking trails and nearby attractions, and complete with eye-catching photographs. Yogerst includes lots of suggestions that are family-friendly.

More Options

Brooks, Amanda. Run to the Finish: The Everyday Runner’s Guide to Avoiding Injury, Ignoring the Clock, and Loving the Run. Hachette Go. 2020. 288p. ISBN 9780738285993. pap. $16.99.

Brooks’s feel-good guide for the average “middle of the pack” runner encourages running for the simple joy of it. Readers will receive advice on maintaining one’s health and staying injury-free, along with guidance that promotes self-confidence.

Menickelli, Justin & Ryan Pickens. Definitive Guide to Disc Golf. Triumph. 2016. 192p. ISBN 9781629372044. pap. $19.95.

A comprehensive guide to an accessible, increasingly popular outdoor activity that blends hiking and frisbee. Courses are located in parks and wooded areas in rural and urban settings. Information on rules, gear, and more.

Tekiela, Stan. Stan Tekiela’s Birding for Beginners: South; Your Guide to Feeders, Food, and the Most Common Backyard Birds. Adventure Publications. 2020. 176p. ISBN 9781647551278. pap. $16.95.

This accessible guide for an increasingly popular hobby teaches how to attract a variety of birds with specific food and create a welcoming space for year-round and migratory birds. Guides for all regions of the U.S. are available.

Yeager, Selene. Gravel: The Ultimate Guide to the Gear, Training, and Grit You Need To Crush It. Hearst. 2019. 192p. ISBN 9781950099030. pap. $19.95.

An all-encompassing guide to one of the fastest-growing modes of specialty biking: riding on gravel roads. Readers will be introduced to gravel-specific bicycles, all-important tire pressure, and stretching and fitness. Plus ways to locate gravel roads and organized “gravel grinder” races in your area.