Skip to main content

Member Reviews

101 Classic Hikes of the Northeast, by Eli Burakian, is a large compendium of popular hikes in the region ranging in distance and difficulty but nearly all aimed at completing in a day at most. It’s a great resource for anyone looking for hikes in the area.

Each hike is full of detailed, precise, useful information, following this pattern:
• A short overview/intro
• Where the trailhead is
• The distance
• Type of trail (loop, lollipop, point to point, out and back)
• Elevation gain
• Difficulty (the most subjective element)
• Time (roughly and “on average”)
• Map suggestions
• Whether dogs are allowed and if so, what the rules are (as well as how advisable it is regardless of the rules)
• Parking (how small or large the lot, how crowded it gets and when, alternative parking, fees if any)
• Contact info for who manages the trail
• Land type (national park, state park) and managing bureau/organization
• Nearest town
• Directions to trailhead
• The hike itself, via a very detailed, precise, narrative followed by a mileage point by point listing. The narrative and list detail the main trail, but also point readers to spur trails, lookouts, vantage points, etc. Burakian also does a nice job in the few spots where trail finding might get difficult, with lines like: “Here is where it gets a little bit tricky … If you hit a section of beach and start heading southeast, you’ve gone too far.” There are also warnings about things such as loose rock, steep edges, lack of water (and where you’ll want to fill up beforehand), and timber rattlesnakes, among other possible concerns.

Well-organized, detailed, thorough, strongly descriptive, it’s a great book to help you both plan your hikes and make sure they go well (including introductory segments on tips for hiking success). Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I have used Falcon Guides for over 20 years to help with hikes mainly in the west or northwest, and now I will be adding this one so I can adventure in the northeast. Lots of good info!

Was this review helpful?

A collection of 101 hiking trails across six north-eastern US states. The book is a good reference that should appeal to many. Featuring at the beginning essentials for consideration including safety gear, is perfect for those who may not be as competent as the experienced hiker.
All the trails are well references and are accompanied with some lovely photography. All in all a book that we may well reference on our next visit back the USA

Was this review helpful?

Love guidebooks like this because they are so focused on each unique hike and have a standard for their ratings unlike ones that are crowd sourced or blogs. The maps could be a little more detailed with topographical markings which would really help in the NH 4000 footers that are listed. Those sudden steep sections would surprise you otherwise. Would like it to include some smaller or more unique hikes as these are often the more commonly climbed trails and peaks and a hike doesn't need to have a lot of altitude to be a good one.

Was this review helpful?

This guidebook is exactly what I'd expect from Falcon Guides - it has all the relevant info on each hike (distance, difficulty, special considerations, etc), along with some attractive photography. It's nice to have a guide that highlights things across the region, rather than just one state. The front has basic safety, gear, and environmental info that is good to keep in mind. The notes on each hike read like they were written by someone who has actually done the hikes (which I imagine is the case). If I have one critique, it's the imbalance in states: I know NH is the place to go for hiking (it's why I do!), but I'm looking to guidebooks to give me more ideas beyond the three walks in Rhode Island that I already know about.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Was this review helpful?