The majestic Himalayan range in Himachal Pradesh, India, and the flora and fauna that call it home are the subjects of this book on high-altitude trekking. Moreover, it is much more. The author has woven the entire tapestry of the mountains around the treks, including the lives of local communities, their distinctive customs, mythology, the difficulties of "development" in ecologically fragile landscapes, the politics of environmental conservation, and the quick change engulfing these isolated areas that, regrettably, are not immune to the effects of progress (as we define it in its limited way). The book details four fascinating treks across the Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district, which was arguably the first place to be listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2014. This unique nature reserve has been depicted in such faithful and loving detail. Eight other treks in the districts of Chamba, Kullu, Kangra, Lahaul and Spiti, Shimla and Kinnaur complete a fascinating account spread over 20 years.The Trails Less Travelled is, in essence, both a celebration of wild Nature and documentation of a valuable legacy that may not survive the next 20 years. It needs to be treasured for both these reasons.