Holiday Walks in the Loire Valley offers a selection of 32 routes - plus suggestions for over a hundred more - along which to explore the Loire and some of its tributaries. Whether seeking to escape the round of chateau-viewing for a day or considering a whole walking holiday in this beautiful region of France, there is something for everyone. This is the 'Garden of France' where spring comes early, summers are warm and the golden days of autumn bring a rich harvest. Midway between the Channel and the Mediterranean, the Loire Valley has the ideal climate for walking throughout the year. The range of walks is varied, from gentle rambles along the riverbank to more strenuous hikes in the hills and forests above. There are wanders in the wetlands of the Sologne and Briere, ambles through the vineyards of Anjou, climbs along cliffs with troglodyte dwellings and discoveries of history in the ancient villages of Touraine. Chateaux, both the famous and unknown, feature on almost every route. In addition, for those looking for an itinerant holiday, 'From source to the Sea' is a special selection of 12 easy walks following the progress of the river from its birth high in the Cevennes to its mouth on the Bay of Biscay. In addition to route directions and sketch maps, you will find local folklore, historical and geographical details, suggestions for refreshment and other nearby places of interest, tourist information centres and a glossary of French words useful to walkers. This book gives you an entirely new slant on a region that is already familiar to - and very popular with - thousands of British holidaymakers.