An editor, Shana Hoch, sent me a review copy of a new hiking guidebook.
Walking Inn to Inn: A Self-Guided Hike in the Swiss Alps
The small, easy-to-pack guide by Linda Jean Titus reads like an extended trip report.
First of all, I am a sucker for personalized guidebooks. Linda’s reminds me of the (also excellent) The West Coast Trail – One Step at a Time by Robert J. Bannon.
This is a great trend. All hikers should write a guidebook on their favourite trail!
This guide describes an “inn to inn” hiking route in the Berner Oberland (Bernese Alps).
The trek begins in Engelberg and travels in a southwestern direction before sweeping in an arc through the dramatically beautiful Jungfrau region.
If your looking to do one of the best hikes in Europe, this book would be a great starting point. It is very specific, detailing the choices you have to make in planning, including best airport. (Zurich)
I always picture Swiss hiking as very posh. Lovely accommodation. Fantastic food. Short, easy days.
But I learned that on this route you can sleep in barns and campgrounds, inexpensively. Rush past the French coffee and chocolatiers to put in long, physically challenging days. It is endlessly flexibly in terms of itinerary.
The risk of putting together such detailed recommendations is that they might quickly become out-of-date. (That’s why so many guidebooks are vague on details.)
Fortunately, this guide has good website support with a user forum. Or you can get up-to-date information personally from the author herself on their contact page.
Buy it directly from the SwissHikes.com.
Engelberg monastery – flickr
Like all review copies, I’ll be donating Linda’s book to the wonderful Alpine Club of Canada Library in Canmore, Alberta on behalf of the author. I stay at the inexpensive Alpine Club residences whenever I get the chance, an excuse to look over their unique collection.
(Good news — the ACC library received a donation for C$100,000 in 2007 from long-time member Bev Bendell.)
besthike.com 