The Path More Travelled - The Secret History of Britain's Footpaths

Walking is a cornerstone of British identity and the most popular form of exercise in the UK. But how much do we know about the paths that we walk? What is their history? Why do they follow the routes that they do? Are they permanent? Can we designate more of them? In A Path More Travelled , acclaimed geographer and writer Nicholas Crane explores this coast-to-coast web that is both ancient and futuristic. Starting with the stone age paths walked by European migrants 12,000 years ago, he traces their development - from early pilgrim paths and coffin tracks, through to the industrial revolution and the birth of the car, sat-nav and walking apps. Crane delves into the role of psychogeography, the importance of views, summits, aspect and sinuosity to ask where we walk in our minds, and why artists have felt compelled to represent them in the ways they have. From one of our most beloved travel writers, The Path More Travelled is an ode to footpaths and a call to rediscover this most fundamental part of our landscape.

Product details

• Authors: Nicholas Crane
• Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 23.04.2026
• EAN: 9781399605816
• ISBN: 978-1-399-60581-6
• No. of pages: 416
• Subjects: SPORTS & RECREATION / Walking, Walking, hiking, trekking, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology, TRAVEL / Europe / Great Britain, United Kingdom, Great Britain, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General