When I volunteered to write this review I imagined that I would be reviewing a guide to a few magnificent snowy peaks throughout the Alps and beyond… well, it’s not quite like that. Firstly, I had no idea how many countries constituted ‘Europe’ – it’s 48 according to this thoroughly researched guide, give or take a few eyebrow raising decisions - Scotland, well OK, but Wales, Northern Ireland as independent entities? Secondly, I also had no idea how many – or rather, how few - European summits would require mountaineering or climbing expertise. Many of the summits listed require only the most rudimentary hill walking skills to reach.

In fact, this guide coves a spectrum of routes, from climbing to the top of St Peter’s Dome (Vatican) or a point on a main road, just 162m above sea level (Monaco) – to the more traditional and challenging high points, Mont Blanc of course (France), and finally everyone’s favourite pub quiz answer – Mount Elbrus, highest mountain in Russia. To get some idea of the distribution of difficulty, the Dufourspitze has pride of place at the top of the full 49 listed here, while Snowdon weighs in at number 28 on the graded list.

The graded list is typical of the guide, which is absolutely packed with information – everything from a technical discussion of what constitutes ‘Europe’, to a ‘famous native’ and ‘irrelevant fact’ panel for each of the countries listed. Above all, it does exactly what it says on the tin: gives comprehensive information on how to get to the top of every summit – travel details, a sketch map, details of guidebooks, maps and equipment required, a detailed route description and possible alternative routes.

An interesting question is … what is the point of a guide like this? The summits are such a disparate collection that anyone who enjoyed acquiring the tick at one end of the spectrum will surely be either not motivated or frightened off the ticks at the other! Well, I suppose there are two main answers. Firstly, they add a potential objective to any visit to a European country – for example, I’ve skied in Bulgaria in the past, and if I’d had this guide then I would have certainly made time for an ascent of Musala (2925m) on the trip. Secondly, it’s a great tick list of potential objectives, and ticking them all would be memorable achievement for anyone. If you want a reason to visit some of the most remote, beautiful and little known parts of Europe,  and have fun visiting them – like the authors certainly appear to have done, from the anecdotes peppered throughout the text – then this is the book for you.

Robert Ward