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If you only walk long enough Exploring the Pyrenees
Revised edition, with 30 photos. In a sweeping panorama which takes in everything from hot pepper ice cream and slug sex to the legacy of the Romantic Movement and the future of the European brown bear, this book is a fascinating portrait of the French Pyrenees as they move into the 21st century.
It is also the story of a solitary walker and a long-distance footpath, the Pyrenean Way (GR10). When he set out from the Atlantic coast, Steve Cracknell thought he was heading for the Mediterranean on a trail which ambled through the foothills. He ended up with crampons and ice axe, crossing glaciers to tackle the highest peaks of the range.
In a book which is by turns amusing and thoughtful he treads lightly across the landscape, concluding that the Pyrenees are changing rapidly. Now is the time to discover them.
Reviews: 'A very humorous tale of adventure.' The French Paper Book of the Month February 2010. 'A superb and unique addition to books about the Pyrenees.' Strider Magazine.
See more on the book on Steve's website and blog on walking in the Pyrenees
It is also the story of a solitary walker and a long-distance footpath, the Pyrenean Way (GR10). When he set out from the Atlantic coast, Steve Cracknell thought he was heading for the Mediterranean on a trail which ambled through the foothills. He ended up with crampons and ice axe, crossing glaciers to tackle the highest peaks of the range.
In a book which is by turns amusing and thoughtful he treads lightly across the landscape, concluding that the Pyrenees are changing rapidly. Now is the time to discover them.
Reviews: 'A very humorous tale of adventure.' The French Paper Book of the Month February 2010. 'A superb and unique addition to books about the Pyrenees.' Strider Magazine.
See more on the book on Steve's website and blog on walking in the Pyrenees
- GenresTravelNonfiction
296 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2008
9 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Steve Cracknell
12 books23 followersSteve Cracknell's latest book looks at rewilding with top predators. Wolves and bears are returning, but many shepherds are unhappy, asking who owns the mountains? It is a question that is being asked all over the world. Who does own the countryside? How is that ownership shared? What are the rights and responsibilities?
The Implausible Rewilding of the Pyrenees looks for answers.
Steve grew up in Yorkshire, England discovering the joys of blisters on the North York Moors. He studied archaeology at Cambridge University and became a field archaeologist, digging in Britain and Europe before trading in his trowel for a computer. Publishing and web design were his next challenges.
Moving to France in 1997, he started walking in the Pyrenees and writing about them.
The Implausible Rewilding of the Pyrenees looks for answers.
Steve grew up in Yorkshire, England discovering the joys of blisters on the North York Moors. He studied archaeology at Cambridge University and became a field archaeologist, digging in Britain and Europe before trading in his trowel for a computer. Publishing and web design were his next challenges.
Moving to France in 1997, he started walking in the Pyrenees and writing about them.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 6, 2021
This is an easy but enjoyable read about the long-distance hike through the French Pyrenees (the GR10). Apart from the experiences as a hiker with all the joys and sorrows that a long hike brings with it, Steve Cracknell also gives some background information about certain areas and historical information. Some of it was a bit too much for my personal taste. But most is interesting.
The fact that Steve Cracknell did not through-hike but did several short trips to eventually walk all of it, somewhat diminishes the pleasure of the story (though I did the same, and I understand that a through-hike on this GR is an enormous challenge).
As I did the same hike, there were many moments which made me remember my own walk and I really enjoyed Steve Cracknell’s perspective on the experiences I can relate to from my own point of view.
For a reader who has never set foot on or even heard about the GR10, I am not sure the pleasure would be as great.
“The Pyrenees are mountains and valleys. Mineral, vegetable, and animal, of course. But above all human.”
The fact that Steve Cracknell did not through-hike but did several short trips to eventually walk all of it, somewhat diminishes the pleasure of the story (though I did the same, and I understand that a through-hike on this GR is an enormous challenge).
As I did the same hike, there were many moments which made me remember my own walk and I really enjoyed Steve Cracknell’s perspective on the experiences I can relate to from my own point of view.
For a reader who has never set foot on or even heard about the GR10, I am not sure the pleasure would be as great.
“The Pyrenees are mountains and valleys. Mineral, vegetable, and animal, of course. But above all human.”
August 30, 2012
Well written account of walking the Pyrenean Way (the GR10). Not just about walking, the book also covers cultural, political and historical aspects of the region. Well worth checking out.
November 16, 2014
An enjoyable read. It was funny -sometimes, very funny - and the descriptions of the areas I've been to are correct.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews