Pocket Mountains Ltd

The Cairngorms are Britain's largest National Park, a place where mountains rise in a wilderness of high plateaux, deep corries and empty glens. But the vast tracts of surviving Caledonian forest, sparkling lochs, heather moors and tumbling rivers also make this fantastic walking country for those who prefer a gentler pace. This guide features 40 shorter walks - many ideal for families - stretching from the ancient region of Badenoch and the wildlife-packed upper reaches of the Spey Valley, through the outdoor sports hub of Aviemore to Grantown and Tomintoul, then over Ballater and Royal Deeside to Braemar.

Of all the counties surrounding London, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire are most closely associated with the title 'home counties' and both contain large stretches of what is thought of as quintessential English countryside. The Chilterns dominate the south, a plateau-like maze of chalk hills covered with beechwoods, villages and fields rising from the Thames Valley to a steep northern escarpment, and at its foot the fertile farmland of the Vale of Aylesbury stretches northwards towards the River Great Ouse and the start of the Midlands beyond. Across the Thames lies the more densely populated East Berkshire, which nevertheless still boasts some wonderful countryside, including the landscaped parkland of Windsor Castle.

The Isle of Wight in the English Channel is England's largest island, separated from the mainland by the Solent but easily and quickly accessible from the south coast. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the mild climate and slower pace of life has long attracted holiday-makers and curious walkers who come to explore the island's rolling chalkland hills, peaceful woodland paths and sandy beaches and coves. The 40 walks in this volume make the most of the island's well-maintained trails - which include some of the most celebrated clifftop walks in southern England - as well as many lesser-known gems waiting to be discovered on this Treasure Island.

The gentle rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds and the beaches and headlands of the East Yorkshire Coast are somewhat overshadowed by better-known Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. Well- established national parks which attract large numbers of walkers. In contrast, this region offers a tranquil tapestry of history, geology and natural beauty. The walks in this guide explore the peaceful unchanging valleys and quiet villages as well as the bustling market towns and seaside resorts of the Wolds and the east coast, taking in some of the are? ancient history, lost settlements, fine architecture and other hidden gems along the way.

'A beggar's mantle fringed wi' gold,' is how King James VI of Scotland is said to have described the ancient Kingdom of Fife. The ragged shoreline being the frayed cloak from which the begging hand of Fife is held out in hope that the North Sea will provide sustenance. Indeed, the historic peninsula, as well as being home to one of the world's oldest universities, the former seat of Scotland's monarchy and the birthplace of golf, has nearly 200 kilometres of rugged coastline dotted with historic ports and quaint fishing villages for walkers to enjoy. Inland, however, there are also plenty of treasures to discover including gentle strolls in wooded nature reserves and country parks, as well as more strenuous hikes in the Lomond and Ochil Hills. The 40 walks make the most of the glorious countryside highlighting the History and Heritage of the iconic Kingdom of Fife.