Customer Reviews

Best Loop Hikes: New Hampshire's White Mountains to the Maine Coast (Best Hikes)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Best Loop Hikes" is a great resources for hikers of all levels. Many books have been written about hikes in Maine and New Hampshire, but I haven't read one before which focuses specifically on the White Mountains and the Maine Coast. I was pleasantly surprised when the book I pre-ordered from Amazon came in before the April 2006 published released date. The book will especially appeal to those who also enjoy wildlife: each hike describes local flora and fauna, with a particular emphasis on native birds. The author also plugs local land trusts, the conservation organizations that preserve local parcels of land, maintaining them so that hikers and others can enjoy their trails. There is also historical information provided for many of the surrounding areas. This is an excellent resource for both avid hikers and the more casual walker.

Summers are short and precious here in Maine and any outdoor enthusiast, especially with kids in tow, knows that finding a loop hike for the whole family - one that can be done in single day - can be a challenge. This guide makes it easy to find that trail.

This book not only gives you the low down on the trails themselves, but the natural history, wildlife and geological insights that add dimension and interest to even the familiar trail.

Stuff this one in your backpack and leave the rest of the guides at home.

The author has completed every hike in this book and it shows. The trail descriptions are detailed and accurate. I like that all pertinent information is provided for each hike. He includes directions to the trailhead, distance of the hike, elevation gain and profile, difficulty level, and recommended direction to do each loop. Sometimes there are suggestions for shortening or lengthening the journey in a particular area. We have also enjoyed his descriptions of the sights and sounds to look and listen for along the way, along with the historical notes. And each hike has been a good one!

We justed returned from 9 days in New England, and the vacation was a wonderful success, in part, because of the research we did before leaving Colorado. I purchased 4 books from Amazon in preparation, and the book about Loop Hikes was the BEST investment we made. We made several hikes, and my favorite was Hike #11 in this book; Franconia Notch. What a wonderful time we had, and we would NOT have known about the hike if we had not researched this book. It was accurate with great maps and directions of where to go and what to expect. Although we hike at home in Colorado, we are "amateurs" and found this book VERY helpful.
Thank you, and Happy Trails!

The book is good and very professional and detailed, but most of the hikes are moderate to hard level. We did a "kid friendly" hike, and it was not easy at all, even to adults... maybe families with kids over 12-13 will enjoy it better.

This book helped in what I was looking for. In conjunction with another white mountain book and maps this served its purpose. I thought it is a good reference to narrow down the areas of interest. I would recommend this book. I think they could have added alot more hikes to the book, but then it wouldn't be the Best Loop Hikes i guess.

This book was a gift and the person receiving it has realy loved it.