• Grandma Gatewood's Walk

  • The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
  • By: Ben Montgomery
  • Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
  • Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,475 ratings)

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Grandma Gatewood's Walk  By  cover art

Grandma Gatewood's Walk

By: Ben Montgomery
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
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Publisher's summary

Emma Gatewood told her family she was going on a walk and left her small Ohio hometown with a change of clothes and less than $200. The next anybody heard from her, this genteel, farm-reared, 67-year-old great-grandmother had walked 800 miles along the 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail. And in September 1955, atop Maine's Mount Katahdin, she sang the first verse of "America, the Beautiful" and proclaimed, "I said I'll do it, and I've done it." Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person - man or woman - to walk it twice and three times. The public attention she brought to the little-known footpath was unprecedented. Her vocal criticism of the lousy, difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and very likely saved the trail from extinction.

©2014 Ben Montgomery (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A quiet delight of a book." ( Kirkus)

Featured Article: The Best Hiking Audiobooks


Hiking is a time-honored way to appreciate and learn about nature while improving your physical and mental health. But even if you can't get out on the trail yourself at the moment, these hiking audiobooks will give you a greater appreciation for the sport. Hiking's broad appeal and long history have formed the basis of many compelling works of nonfiction. They run the gamut from intense stories of survival and perseverance to gentle explorations of the healing power of nature. Each of these hiking audiobooks is perfect whether you are out on a hike or sitting behind the wheel of a car.

What listeners say about Grandma Gatewood's Walk

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Must read

Must read for day & through hikers alike. There is much to be said for the grit of our ancestors.

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An Inspiring Woman and Story!

Loved this book! Especially motivating if you're feeling old or tired! Walking, hiking, and nature . .a lovely mix.

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An inspiration of the first order

When you face a morning wondering what of real worth you should do today, set aside your busy-ness and read or listen to this life-affirming tale. No matter our age or situation, we all need to be reminded that it just takes a first step in the right direction. Thank you, Ben Montgomery and Emma Gatewood, for the reminder that time's a-wasting!

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Wait for me Grandma ..............🏃

The I've aspired to walk the AT for some time now, but haven't had the opportunity. What Grandma Gatewood did though was more that walk, she Led a Vision into existence. Her love for nature and the thrill of what lie around the next bend gave countless average individuals the strength to carry on, to carry through, and to enjoy God's creation one step at a time.

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Great - in all sence of the word

i am planning a thru hike myself and was suggested this book by a hikeing group. I will definitely be listening to it again

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This is a great read for anyone and everyone!!

Where does Grandma Gatewood's Walk rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its in the top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grandma of course

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

One of the best things about this book is that there wasnt really high and low points but a steady captivation to keep reading every page.

Any additional comments?

This book is great to read/listen. Her story is very moving not just because of the extent of her walks but you get a good look at the current events of her time. You get to see her struggles at many levels on many issues and none of them are boring.

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Great Narrator even better story

What a wonderful way to honor a legacy as great as hers. I felt like Ms. Gatewood could have been my grandma. She give me hope that I too can continue to live an active lifestyle in the woods.

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Captivating Journey of Life

Could barely stand to stop listening. This salt of the earth soul inspired hikers worldwide and no hardship in her life kept her from living life to its fullest. Great book. Thanks

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best book I've read in a long time

This is the story of an extraordinary "ordinary" woman, who walked the complete Appalachian Trail at age 67 in 1955, and went on to do it again 2 more times and the Oregon Trail, to boot. The author did a fantastic job incorporating the story of the first time with her life's story and events going on in the world. I enjoyed the narrator for this book. I never bother with bookmarks usually, but i did here. I'm pretty sure I won't go back to use them so I ordered the paperback.
It sounds so cliché to say a book is inspirational, but this one and Old Lady on the Trail by Mary E Davison have revitalized my plans for retirement!

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Awesome

This story had me from Chapter 1 such an amazing women. Overcomer in all aspects

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