From the Continental Divide to the coasts of Cornwall, and from the heights of Machu Picchu to Australia's mysterious Uluru, the world is best explored on foot. Spanning human history, this beautifully illustrated book relates the tales behind the top 500 walks that have shaped our civilization. It's easy to imagine traveling back in time as you read about convicts and conquistadores, silk traders and Buddhists who have hiked along routes for purposes as varied as the terrain they covered. The individual accounts combine knowledgeable commentary on the history and geology of the site, along with some practical travel tips.