How to Buy a Guide for Trail Running

Whether you're new to an area or new to the sport of trail running, a guide to local trails is exactly what you need to get your feet moving. Here's how to pick the right book.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Running Clothes
• Trail Running Shorts
• Trail Running Socks
• Trail-running Shoes
• Local Guidebooks

1. Ask other experienced trail runners or hikers for their recommendations.

2. Go to your local running-shoe store or outdoor outfitter. Ask the salesperson if she can recommend an appropriate guide.

3. Visit your local bookstore, and see what's available. If there are no guides specifically devoted to trail running, see if there are any on local hiking, mountain biking or cross-country skiing trails.

4. Flip through books that look promising.

5. Look for a guide that includes maps and directions to trailheads and discuss trail mileage, high and low elevations, the availability of water and trail conditions.

6. Check to see if the author or publisher maintains a Web site posting the latest trail closures or conditions. Such up-to-date information can be very helpful come running time.

7. Cross-reference a couple of different guides to make sure you choose the best one.

8. Buy the latest edition.

Tips & Warnings

• Never assume that everything you find in a trail guide is correct. Before trying a new trail, call ahead to appropriate land-management agencies to ensure it's still safe and open to the public.
• Guides written by locals are quite often more helpful than those that are not. If faced with a choice, assume that local knowledge is better than that of an outsider.

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