Paul Besley – författare

1001 Walking Tips by Paul Besley is a light-hearted and informative guide to all kinds of walking.This is no standard instruction manual – it is much more useful than that. This is a huge collection of small tips to make a real difference to your walking, whether you’re on a leisurely stroll in your local urban area, exploring a national park, planning a long-distance trail or hiking in the mountains in winter – this book will help you to make the most of every walk.The vast range of topics covered includes navigation, essential kit and clothing, safety, fitness, food, walking with dogs, how to cope with various weather conditions and what to do if you get lost. Whether you’re a walking novice or an experienced trekker, Paul’s wealth of knowledge and practical advice will inspire you and help to enrich your time outdoors.

Coming from a working-class background, Paul Besley knew the worst and best of life in a Yorkshire steel town. He had always been drawn to the solitude of the hills, but that life nearly ended when a fall while hillwalking left him critically injured and alone in the mountains of the Lake District. Paul was found and brought to safety by a mountain rescue team. This was the trigger for him to transform his life, first by joining his local team, then by finding Scout, his very own Border collie puppy, and training him to become a mountain rescue search dog.In The Search, Paul writes with humour and honesty as we follow him and Scout through their complex training, with searches and rescue incidents sometimes tragic and often funny. Paul’s demons and headstrong characters threaten to derail them, until his past finally catches up with him and his life inescapably unravels. It’s up to Scout to keep an eye on him now as Paul tries to build the best life he can.

Experience the wild drama and unique character of the Dark Peak with a handpicked collection of 35 circular day walks and 5 classic long-distance routes, revealing the heart of one of Britain’s most atmospheric and varied upland landscapes. Explore brooding moorlands, iconic gritstone edges, and the unforgettable valleys of the Peak District’s northern reaches, including Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, Black Hill, and the Roaches. Ideal for both newcomers and seasoned walkers, this definitive Cicerone guidebook presents inspiring routes for every ability, from gentle introductions to the area’s distinctive scenery to more demanding outings across remote wilderness. Whether you’re seeking peaceful rambles or the challenge of a full day on the high moors, these routes can be tailored to your pace and ambition. Choose from 35 circular day walks and 5 longer routes, with walks throughout the Dark Peak easily accessible from Hathersage, Castleton, Glossop, and Sheffield.Day walks range from 7–22 km (4–14 miles), each taking 3–7 hours, while long-distance routes (including the Kinder Scout skyline, Edale horseshoe, and Gritstone Edges) span 25–45 km (15–28 miles) and take 8–13 hours.Enjoy year-round walking through the dramatic gritstone landscapes, high moorland, steep ascents, and sweeping vistas of the Dark Peak, with options to cut some routes short for a gentler outing.Every hand-picked Dark Peak walk features a clear route summary, start and finish locations, 1:50,000 OS map extracts (1:100,000 for longer routes), GPX downloads, parking and public transport details, estimated walking times, and suggestions for local pubs, cafés, and tea rooms.Gain insights into the unique geology, history, plantlife, and wildlife of the Dark Peak, with background information provided for each walk.Most walks are circular, starting from recognised car parks across the Dark Peak, with public transport options where relevant to create linear or adapted routes through this distinctive upland landscape.The pocket-sized guidebook is packed with practical advice on terrain, navigation (including tips for moorland and winter conditions), and facilities specific to the Dark Peak, helping you plan and explore with confidence.Includes an overview map and route summary table to help you select the perfect Dark Peak walk for your day out. Set out to discover the brooding moors, sweeping edges, and ever-changing moods of the Dark Peak at your own pace, in every season. With this trusted Cicerone guidebook, experience the very best walking this remarkable region has to offer.

Explore the rolling limestone landscapes, deep green dales and historic villages of the White Peak, the southern heart of the Peak District National Park. This beautiful area of Derbyshire is known for its dramatic limestone valleys, charming market towns and iconic walking routes linking places such as Bakewell, Matlock and Eyam. This expert guidebook to walking in the eastern White Peak features 42 routes, including 35 circular day walks and 7 longer trails exploring the area’s valleys, plateaus and historic landscapes. The day walks range from around 7 to 19km and can be completed in 2–6 hours, while longer trails such as the Monsal Trail, Tissington Trail and White Peak Circular allow walkers to explore the region in greater depth. 42 varied routes across the eastern White Peak, including 35 circular day walks and 7 longer trails connecting classic Peak District landscapes and picturesque villages, including Tissington, Youlgreave, Stoney Middleton and WirksworthWalks ranging from 7–19km (4–12 miles) for day routes, with longer trails covering 15–70km for extended adventures, all of which are easily accessible from Bakewell, Buxton and SheffieldClear 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping and GPX files for each walk, helping you navigate the limestone dales and upland plateaus characteristic of the White Peak landscape of Derbyshire with confidenceHighlights along the way include historic landmarks such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, the UNESCO-listed Cromford Mill, and prehistoric sites like Arbor LowPractical details on transport, refreshments and facilities to help plan enjoyable walking days across the Peak DistrictFrom peaceful riverside paths and flower-filled limestone dales to historic estates and sweeping countryside views, the eastern White Peak offers some of the most rewarding walking routes in the Peak District. Whether you’re exploring quiet valleys, visiting historic villages or following classic trails through the heart of Derbyshire, Walking in the Peak District – White Peak East provides everything you need to discover this beautiful landscape on foot. Discover the full White Peak region of the Peak District with Cicerone’s 2-part series. Walking in the Peak District – White Peak West is available to purchase separately, offering more routes and day walks across the western dales and limestone plateaus.

Discover the western landscapes of the Peak District National Park in the limestone heart of the White Peak — a region known for its green dales, quiet rivers and characterful villages scattered across Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire. From dramatic valleys and rocky outcrops to historic market towns and sweeping countryside, this part of the Peak District offers rewarding day walks. This Cicerone guidebook presents 40 carefully selected day walks across the western White Peak, suitable for both beginner and experienced walkers. Written by outdoor author Paul Besley, it provides clear route descriptions and practical information to help you explore the area with confidence while discovering its landscapes, wildlife and history. 40 circular and day walks in the Peak District, ranging from 6–24km (4–15 miles), typically taking between 2 and 7 hours, offering options for relaxed outings or longer hill daysWalks explore highlights of the western White Peak, including dramatic limestone dales, upland hills and iconic viewpoints such as Mam Tor and Winnats PassEach route includes clear step-by-step descriptions supported by 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping to aid navigation across the White PeakGPX files are available to download, making it easy to follow routes using GPS devices or smartphone navigation apps on classic walks such as The Roaches, Lud's Church and DovedalePractical guidance covers refreshment stops (pubs and cafés), transport options, and useful facilities in towns and villages along the routes, such as Castleton, Buxton, Ashbourne and Harlington, to help you plan each walk with ease With its peaceful dales, sweeping hilltop views and timeless rural scenery, the western White Peak is a wonderful place to explore on foot. With this guide in hand, you can explore classic routes and step beyond the busy honeypots to discover the quieter paths, hidden valleys and unforgettable viewpoints that make walking in the Peak District so special. Get the full White Peak walking collection with Walking in the Peak District – White Peak East, available to purchase separately, and discover even more circular day walks across the limestone landscapes of the Peak District National Park.