Book excerpt: This is the perfect book for those who love to explore the seashore but also love walking through forests and seaside meadows. Whether discovering inviting stretches of sandy beach, hiking along rugged cliffs or strolling through quiet estuaries, visitors to these trails will usually be far away from the crowds who chose to drive directly to the more popular, touristy beaches. Each of the walks in this book is accompanied by a colourful, easy-to-follow map and step by step descriptions of what to expect. By scanning through the clearly presented information, walkers can select an easy, level route suitable for all abilities, or a challenging wilderness trail perfect for the more adventurous. In addition they can look at the full-colour photographs accompanying each description in order to choose the most enticing outing. A large-scale planning map of Vancouver Island makes driving strategies easy, whether to the relatively sheltered east coast or the wild and rugged west coast. Complete with full-colour photos and maps, Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island is the only book of its kind and it will serve locals and tourists alike as an invaluable guide for lovers of both lush, coastal forests and ocean shores.