Book signposts the way to Lakeland's hidden gems

Lake District Low Level and Lake Walks by Vivienne Crow, £9.99

SO NUMEROUS are guidebooks to walking in the Lake District that it would seem almost impossible to keep producing them with any shred of originality.

However, prolific Cumbrian tramper, scribbler and snapper Vivienne Crow gives the lie to this assumption by continuously coming up with handy new guides to the region's crags, fells and hillocks.

Her latest book Lake District Low Level and Lake Walks is the perfect companion for those looking to explore the area without making the effort of clambering up to its highest summits.

As the author points out: “Head up into the lower hills or take a walk through any of Lakeland’s great dales and you’ll discover that they are gorgeous, often spectacular and atmospheric places where the detail in the landscape will reward the observant walker.”

The book sets out to prove this by describing 30 routes that cover a wide area of the national park and illustrating them with a selection of beautiful photos.

Although they may be low in altitude, the walks still vary in length from seven to 17km, meaning there is something for everyone from the postprandial stroller to the more committed Lakeland strider.

ISBN 978-1-85284-734-0

GILES BROWN