- Rizzoli, 2014
- National Geographic (in German) 2014
- New York Times Travel Bestseller (January, 2015)
- Lowell Thomas Gold for best travel book
- Barnes and Noble: “Top Book Picks 2014”
- Yahoo: “One of the year’s best books for travel”
- Foreword Magazine/Indie Gold Award Adventure book of the year
- SATW (East): Gold Award for Best Book
A celebration of America’s national scenic trails, this lavish coffee table book features photography by Bart Smith, an introduction by Bill McKibben, and essays about America’s great long-distance hiking trails.
What Reviewers and Judges Said
“Broad and deep reporting by Karen Berger combined with the skilled photography of Bart Smith make this not only a beautiful book to hold and skim, but also an extremely informative book for hikers. To produce this, Berger walked more than 10,000 miles and Smith trekked all 18,000 miles on the 11 trails. Every chapter is marked by excellence.” —Judges comments, awarding gold in travel book category, Lowell Thomas Awards for Travel Journalism.
“Not only a beautiful specimen of a book; but the passion for hiking is oozing from its pages. The writing is beautifully crafted and the images do justice to the words.” —Judges comments, awarding gold in book category, Society of American Travel Writers/Eastern Chapter Awards. .
“Big books and long walks—not an obvious match. But America’s Great Hiking Trails might become a trekking essential. It covers the 11 routes in the National Scenic Trails system, from the iconic Appalachian to the lesser-known (and swampy) Florida Trail. With history, highlights, maps, and a wealth of photos of each byway, the book is a source of inspiration as well as a planning tool.” — The Wall Street Journal
“What makes a hiking trail ‘great?’ What makes it iconic? Author Karen Berger explores America’s great hiking trails in this photo-rich coffee-table book. America’s Great Hiking Trails should help readers plan the hike that works best for them. Individual chapters describe the essence of what makes each national scenic trail unique…the Appalachian Trail, which starts in Maine and ends in Georgia, is on many hikers’ bucket lists even though it is rarely more than a two- or three-hour drive from major cities; it is hardly the most dramatic of the national trails, nor is it the toughest. And yet the allure endures. Why? Berger suggests that the Appalachian Trail is more than the sum of its parts. Its lasting appeal lies with its contradictions, between ‘humans and wilderness, towns and trails, solitude and community. The book features excellent writing, with gorgeous photography by Bart Smith.” –– Chicago Tribune
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“One of the Year’s Best Books for Travelers. Sure, you’re content to hike your local trails week after week, but there’s always someone in the group who aspires to go bigger. America’s Great Hiking Trails compiles more than 50,000 miles of trails in one beautifully photographed tome. Eight national parks in 49 states, gorgeous photos, and lots of details about each featured trail make this book a nature lover’s bible. At a pace of four miles per hour you won’t have to gift again until 2071.” — Yahoo Travel
“America’s Great Hiking Trails is perfect for anyone interested in outdoor recreation and conservation.” –- Pathways
“America’s Great Hiking Trails is a hardcover Mac Daddy of hiking books, loaded with 336 pages of drop dead gorgeous photographs and a glimpse into eleven of the country’s most iconic hiking trails. Author Karen Berger is a well-seasoned hiker and she invites us to explore, discover and delight in trails that will take you through practically any terrain the country can offer… After reading this book I dare you to tell me that at some point you didn’t imagine yourself hiking at least a small section of one of these scenic trails.” –- Snug Harbour Bay
“Best outdoor book of the year. Beautifully illustrated and meticulously detailed, this is every hiker’s dream book. It follows 11 of America’s historic long-distance trails including the Continental Divide Trail running through Montana to New Mexico. A wonderful coffee table book, Berger and Smith detail specific needs for hikers, while inspiring them with breathtaking photography and flawless storytelling. This is a perfect bucket list for hikers of all ages” — Vail Daily (Colorado)
