At 4478m, the Matterhorn represents the classic mountain. It is neither the highest Alpine summit, nor the most difficult, but it is the peak that is recognised worldwide. Its shape can be seen everywhere from chocolate boxes to corporate adverts. Even if you asked a child to draw a mountain, that’s what they’d draw – a pointed pyramid reaching to the sky. The Matterhorn represents what is inaccessible, beautiful, the ultimate goal. The fantastic Tour of the Matterhorn by Hilary Sharp will take you to the most stunning viewpoints that’ll allow you to marvel at this unique summit.

The Tour of the Matterhorn gives walkers a brilliant opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the region in such a way that is impossible by anyone who only passes through by car or bus. This is an area of stark contrasts: from high peaks, glaciers and ice and snow buttresses to lush green meadows where cattle graze and where old fashioned to modern Alpine resorts intermingle. Walking through the mountains and the valleys as well as passing through the villages will give you a chance to discover what makes each valley unique, as well as experiencing the common cultures that unite the region.

The classic peak of the Matterhorn has inspired adventurers for generations, and this 145km tour does not disappoint. It is considerably more demanding than the popular Alpine route, the Tour du Mont Blanc, but it forms a great progression for those who have already sampled some Alpine hiking of this type before and wish to expand their experience.

The Tour of the Matterhorn has been divided into seven stages in this guidebook. They are logical stages rather than day stages, normally describing routes from one valley to another. It can be walked perfectly in 10 days but it is not a tour that should be rushed, it would be a shame to miss sampling all the spectacular views, cultures and regions. If you are short of time however, there are suggestions for shorter variants included in this guidebook – a much better alternative than trying to complete the entire route in a hurry.

The 145km route coincides with two other long-distance treks. From Zermatt to Arolla it follows the Walker’s Haute Route Trail, and from Breuil-Cervinia to Grächen it takes the Tour of Monte Rosa. The total ascent is 9925m with a total descent of the same. The route stays mostly below 3000m so there should be no fear of effects of altitude sickness as this usually occurs above 3000m. The trails are quite rough and rocky in places, and occasionally the steeper sections have been equipped with metal rungs and/or cables. These sections are short and not difficult, although in rain or snow they would be a bit slippery.

The Speyside Way is a superb long-distance Scottish trail. It runs for 66 miles from Aviemore to Buckie, with relatively little ascent or descent whilst passing through some spectacular scenery. It is not one to miss, and with opportunities to link the route with the Dava Way and the Moray Coast Trail, why would you want to? Alan Castle’s fantastic Cicerone guidebook, The Speyside Way, helps you walk all three.

The Speyside Way is one of the four official Long Distance Routes in Scotland, which are equivalent to the National Trails of England and Wales. Being so designated, it is waymarked throughout its length with a distinctive white Scottish thistle. Unlike many of the official long distance paths in Britain, the Speyside Way offers relatively easy walking, mainly on well surfaced and easily graded tracks and paths, with little total ascent and descent.

Beautiful landscape, nature, wildlife, history (both recent and ancient), and whiskey combine wonderfully to make the Speyside Way such a splendid trail. Speyside is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, with a diverse landscape of mountain, heath and moorland, mixed deciduous woodland, conifer plantations, wide river valley and rich alluvial farmland. The neighbouring Moray coast exhibits a variety of coastal landscapes, from wide sandy beaches and extensive sand dunes backed by mixed coastal forest, to sandstone cliffs and dramatic rocky headlands, rock arches and sea stacks.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the region has a rich and varied wildlife. It is the place to come to see some of Britain’s rarest but most endearing creatures, notably otters, pine martens, red squirrels and ospreys. Herds of red deer roam the mountains and glens, whilst the smaller roe deer make their home in the lowlands.

The three trails are each quite different in character and complement each other well – a valley and riverside walk, a ramble along a famous disused railway line and finally a coastal walk on one of the finest stretches of coast in the UK.

The Moray Coast Trail is a walking route that stretches for nearly 50 miles from Forres and Findhorn Bay in the west of Moray and finishes at the coastal village of Cullen on the eastern edge of the Moray district. The route is a continuous trail of paths, tracks and minor lanes that link the numerous coastal villages, towns, beaches, cliffs and headlands of Moray. The coastal landscape of Moray is a very varied one, from huge bays and mudflats to coastal cliffs and sea stacks, from deciduous and pine woodlands to long white sandy beaches.

The Dava Way follows the line of a disused railway 25 miles from Grantown-on-Spey to the town of Forres, a few miles south of the Moray coast. Although an easy trail to walk, its southern half does traverse some remote and wild moorland landscape. There a panoramic views of the surrounding hills, moorland and distant mountains. With the Cairngorms and Cromdale Hills in the south, to the distant mountains of the northern Highlands in Sutherland and Caithness.

The trails in Speyside and Moray have something for all types of rambler, from the seasoned long distance walker to the day stroller in the countryside, from the complete novice and those of limited walking ability to the experienced hill walker and fit backpacker. Moreover, cyclists and horse riders can also use many sections of these trails, which provide safe, traffic-free routes. And this guide describes it all!

Keith Fergus’ Cicerone guidebook The Ayrshire and Arran Coastal Paths is the ideal companion to these great coastal walks. The fantastic Ayrshire Coastal Path strikes its course for 94 miles from Glenapp in the south to Skelmorlie in the north. Add to this the Arran Coastal Path, which circumnavigates its way round that magical island for 60 miles, and what you have is a truly magnificent coastal walk.

Many people assume that coastal walking is restricted to or mainly follows beach terrain, but that is definitely not true of the Ayrshire and Arran coastal path. Yes the Ayrshire and Arran Coastal Paths do travel over some beaches (and beautiful beaches at that) but this route also journeys across a magnificent and diverse landscape that is home to some remarkable scenery. While a substantial portion of the route takes you away from the well-beaten track it enables walkers to observe the rugged beauty of the coastline and enjoy its peace and quiet.

Furthermore, the coastline has a wealth of wonderful architecture: from the instantly recognisable castles Culzean and Brodick to smaller, hidden gems such as the Kennedy Mausoleum and Glenapp Church. Add to the mix a series of sublime beaches, secluded coves, fantastic wildlife, erratic rocks and boulders, a historical legacy of huge importance, world famous golf courses, old paths and roads and yes, Scotland’s most important literary figure Robert Burns, and you have an enormously rewarding long-distance walk. This is Scotland’s celebrated wild and windswept west coast at its finest.

The route can be walked in 11 days by an average walker but, despite it being well waymarked, a substantial portion crosses some surprisingly remote ground, open moorland and rocky terrain, so reasonable map and navigational skills are a prerequisite. The route is well served by an excellent public transport infrastructure and therefore it can be broken down into lovely one or two-day sections.

The routes can be walked at any time of the year, but the months between April and October offer the best conditions to enjoy them. Some sections are long (as far as 18 miles) and although these can be broken down to suit, they do require ample daylight. During the winter the beginning and end of the route may well finish in the dark. The spring, summer and autumn months also provide the best opportunities to view the wonderful plants and animals en route and allow the walks to proceed in, hopefully, reasonable weather.

Not the West Highland Way by Ronald Turnbull offers all the benefits of the West Highland Way trail with some additional tracks which are guaranteed to inspire the explorer within you. This guidebook describes alternative routes above and alongside the West Highland Ways 9 standard stages, with add-on day trips over Ben Lomond or Beinn Dorain for a great expedition of up to 11 days.

This is not to deny that the West Highland Way is one of the finest, if not the finest, of Britain’s long distance paths. How could it not be when it passes through six separate mountain ranges, from the tall cone of Ben Lomond and the crag towers of grim Glen Coe, to the seductive Mamores. It runs from Scotland’s largest city, alongside her longest loch, by way of the biggest and bleakest patch of peaty moorland, to the foot of her highest mountain, yet it is (as it happens) paralleled in its path by the Highlands’ second busiest main road as well as the West Highland Railway.

North ridge of Beinn a’ Choin, looking back along Loch Lomond (Route 4)

Although you get to see the beautiful mountainous landscape by following the conventional route, you don’t get to actually explore them. The comfortable gravel path, the well-placed waymarks and cosy bunk-houses: do these really compensate for not going up any of those mountains? Not when above the stony path there rises to the compelling cone of Beinn Dorain, sprinkled at its top with snow.

For those new to the Highlands and the big hills, the West Highland Way is a dream – and a convenient dream, with its signposts and bridges, its hostels and its shops. With its well-made path, its centuries of history, its mountain surroundings, The West Highland Way is the best path in Scotland.

By taking the best of what the standard Way has to offer and adding in all its diversions away from the linear paths, Not the West Highland Way aims to reinforce and get to the heart of what makes the West Highland Way so great.

Across to Creise from Meall a’ Bhuiridh summit; Ben Nevis on the right skyline (Route 10)

Do you like beautiful scenery, exercise and plenty of fresh air?
Enjoy visiting village pubs and cafes?
Up for cycling up and down a few hills?
If the answer is yes, you’ll love riding the C2C.

Jeremy Evans’ Cicerone guidebook, C2C Cycle Route is the perfect companion.The Coast to Coast (C2C) is a superb 219km (136 mile) cycle route across northern England that connects the country’s Irish Sea and the North Sea coasts.
It passes through the Lake District and Pennines, which are home to some of Britain’s most dramatic landscapes.

In addition to endless wonderful views across the countryside, the C2C offers a great selection of interesting places to visit. The route is accessible and enjoyable for bike riders from novice to expert, including children of most ages. It is equally enjoyable as a leisurely tour for recreational riders or as a full-energy ride for those who enjoy ‘cycle sportif’.

The offroad route above Nenthead leads to Black Hill and the highest point of the C2C. The track here is in good condition, with superb views and fabulous surroundings.

The C2C first opened as a formal route in 1994. It is a cyclist’s version of Alfred Wainwight’s famous Coast to Coast Walk, but follows a shorter route with considerably fewer hills. The route was designed by Sustrans and is now Britain’s most popular long-distance cycle route. Thousands of cyclists complete the C2C each year, but there is plenty of space and it never feels crowded.

In this guide the route is described over five days – an ideal pace for leisure cyclists and families that allows time for detours to look at places of interest along the way. If you cycle further and faster, it’s possible to ride from sea to sea in four, three or two days – and for the super-fit, even in one day. Shorter itineraries are also included for those who enjoy a challenge. The detailed route information, accompanied by OS maps, offers lots of help with planning and undertaking your C2C adventure. Excellent signposting makes the route easy to follow with straightforward route planning using a conventional map or GPS.

The C2C ends with a superb ride along a new cycle path that follows the north bank of the River Wear towards the North Sea