The Best Travelogues on Hiking

For those who love the great outdoors and the written word, there's nothing quite like a good hiking book. These books transport us to distant trails, sharing the joys, challenges, and transformative experiences of long-distance hiking. Here's a curated list of some of the best travelogues and travel books that will inspire your next adventure. (#8 added on 9/3/2024.)

1. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson's humorous account of his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail is a classic in the genre. Bryson's witty observations about nature, hiking culture, and his own unpreparedness make for an entertaining and enlightening read. His encounters with his hiking companion, Stephen Katz, add a layer of comedic gold to the narrative, especially their misadventures with over-packed backpacks and encounters with peculiar fellow hikers.

2. Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed's memoir of her solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail has become a modern classic. Raw, honest, and deeply moving, Wild is as much about emotional healing as it is about the physical journey. Strayed's vivid descriptions of her struggles, from her comically oversized backpack dubbed "Monster" to her painful encounters with ill-fitting boots, bring her journey to life in all its grueling detail.

Walking on the South West Coast Path, looking at Worbarrow Bay, near Tyneham

3. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

This inspiring memoir tells the story of a couple who lose everything and embark on a 630-mile walk along England's South West Coast Path. Winn's beautiful prose captures both the harshness and the healing power of nature. The book poignantly describes how the couple's relationship evolves as they face the elements, from battling fierce coastal winds to foraging for food, all while grappling with Moth's terminal illness diagnosis.

4. Trespassing Across America by Ken Ilgunas

Ken Ilgunas' account of his 1,700-mile hike along the proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline offers a unique perspective on America's heartland. It's a thought-provoking blend of travelogue, environmental meditation, and social commentary. Ilgunas' interactions with local landowners and his reflections on America's relationship with oil add depth to his physical journey across the Great Plains.

5. Tracks by Robyn Davidson

Davidson's epic tale of her 1,700-mile trek across the Australian outback with four camels and a dog is a gripping adventure story and a powerful reflection on solitude and self-discovery. Her descriptions of training wild camels and navigating the harsh desert landscape offer a unique glimpse into a rarely seen side of Australia, while her encounters with Aboriginal communities provide profound cultural insights.

6. Walking the Himalayas by Levison Wood

Join adventurer Levison Wood as he embarks on a 1,700-mile journey by foot through the world's highest mountain range. Wood's vivid descriptions and encounters with local cultures offer a unique perspective on this awe-inspiring landscape. His harrowing experiences, including narrowly escaping a deadly earthquake in Nepal and navigating political tensions in Kashmir, add a thrilling edge to this already extraordinary journey.

Sign post for the Camino de Santiago

7. Walking with Sam by Andrew McCarthy

In this heartfelt memoir, actor and travel writer Andrew McCarthy recounts his 500-mile journey along Spain's Camino de Santiago with his teenage son, Sam. McCarthy's narrative beautifully interweaves the physical challenges of the pilgrimage with reflections on fatherhood, coming-of-age, and the evolving relationship between parent and child. His observations of Sam's growth throughout the journey, from initial reluctance to eventual embracing of the Camino's spirit, offer a touching perspective on this famous pilgrimage route.

8. Walking with Nomads by Alice Morrison

Walking with Nomads is a travelogue by British-Scottish adventurer Alice Morrison chronicling her 1,400-kilometer trek across Morocco. In the book, Morrison recounts her experiences living and traveling with Amazigh nomads, offering insights into their culture, traditions, and the challenges they face. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, Morrison paints a portrait of a vanishing way of life in North Africa's Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.

These books offer more than just tales of hiking; they're stories of personal growth, cultural exploration, and the profound impact of connecting with nature. Whether you're an experienced hiker or an armchair traveler, these travelogues might even inspire your own adventure.