Each section starts with a sketch map of that day’s walk and continues with a detailed route finder, set out in bold type to distinguish it from Hannon’s personal commentary. Instructions are crisp, clear, dependable. The commentary is written with an experienced eye for the walker’s needs, picking out the main features of interest along the route and describing them with a well-judged economy of detail. At Ribblehead, for example, Hannon introduces the Settle to Carlisle Railway in a separately blocked page, and if this whets your appetite you can find a fuller account in the Tourist Information Office at Sedbergh, a few miles ahead.

In the style of his old mentor, A.Wainwright, Hannon illustrates his text with vivid black and white drawings. He has a special eye for churches, industrial architecture, interesting bridges. See, for example, his drawing on Page 37 of the bridges of two eras at Dent Head.

A Log of the Walk gives you your daily mileage and leaves a space for you to add your own notes. A chart of useful facilities keeps you in touch with your accommodation requirements, your shopping and any public transport details that might become relevant.

Paul Hannon is an enthusiastic guide, very much in touch with the Dales Way’s landscape and with the experience of walking through it.

Back to the Books Page | to top of the Page