Product Description

It’s new scenery every step of the way with the only guide dedicated to loop hikes in New Hampshire and Maine • 60 hikes throughout New Hampshire and Maine, from easy half-day trips to extended journeys, many with options to shorten or lengthen the hike • Hikes accessible from the most common vacation destinations, including Bar Harbor and Freeport in Maine, and Conway, Lincoln, and the Lakes Region in New Hampshire • Helpful "Trail Finder" chart lists hikes by features, difficulty, and more It’s hiking with a welcome twist: no tandem driving, no dropping off a car at the end of the trail—and no turning around to hike back the way you came. Jeff Romano hiked more than 450 miles to select the best loop trails in northern New England—from the rolling hills of southern New Hampshire and towering summits of the White Mountains to the large lakes and abundant wildlife of the Northern Forest and rocky coastline of Maine.

Useful features include elevation profiles and charts listing hikes by special interest and best times to go. Information is also included on wildlife, geology, and history.

Regions covered include Acadia National Park, Camden Hills, Baxter State Park, the Maine Coast, Moosehead Lake, the Presidential Range, Mount Washington Valley, Franconia Notch, the Lakes Region, and the Monadnock/Sunapee area.

JEFF ROMANO has hiked in New England for more than 30 years. A resident of Hallowell, Maine, he works with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a land trust that focuses on the conservation of state’s unique coastline.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327587 in Books
• Brand: The Mountaineers Books
• Published on: 2006-02-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 235 pages

Review
"A series of hikes...that almost anyone can enjoy, from families to experienced hikers." -- Morning Sentinel (Waterville, ME)

"The best thing about all [the hikes] is that they start and begin at the same place." -- --Bangor Daily News

"The inspiring images of the landscape and tidbits of history make you want to go and see for yourself.." -- Maine Sunday Telegram

About the Author
Jeff Romano has hiked in New England for more than 30 years. A resident of Hallowell, Maine, he works with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a land trust that focuses on the conservation of state’s unique coastline.

Customer Reviews

Great hiking book
"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.

A must have for summer day hikers
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.

Fantastic Hiking Guide
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!