Here are 9 fiction and nonfiction books that talk the talk about walking the walk.
There are so many great books about walking that to narrow this list to nine was as challenging as marching the length of the El Camino, the Appalachian or the Trans Canada.
Okay, maybe not that tough. But still…
Just like a good book on nature, a good read about a thru-hiker’s incredible long trail journey or an average person’s life-reaffirming adventure on-foot can pull you from the couch and put one foot in front of the other in the great outdoors.
Want some inspiration for you next—or first—serious walking campaign? Check out these 9 inspiring reads about walking and trekking.
On Trails: An Exploration
by Robert Moor
How do paths form? I bet you’ve never asked yourself that. But thankfully, New York Times bestseller Robert Moor has, while on the Appalachian Trail. The resulting answer, his stunning book On Trails, expands into an exploration of trails and paths—from ant trails to inter-continental hiking paths—and how they help us understand the world.
I was in one of the most incredible second hand bookstores in Paris when I stumbled across this. I truly believe it called out to me (as books do) and I’ve never looked at a single trail, path or road the same. Such exquisite writing with fascinating insights into something that is seriously overlooked in our pavement-covered culture: trails—and how they connect us.
The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot
by Robert Macfarlane
In The Old Ways, we’re taken from England to Palestine, to China and the Himalayas, to discover what the ancient paths, trails and tracks can tell us about our history. Using an expert knowledge of botany, geology, history and even classic literature, Robert Macfarlane helps us examine our place in the mammalian timeline and inspires us to discover our own paths among the many already paved.
Slate picked The Old Ways as one of their 50 best non-fiction reads of the previous quarter-decade. You’ll see why, as Macfarlane puts his acclaimed examination of natural landscapes over the ancient world.
Wanderers: A History of Women Walking
by Kerri Andrews
This book portrays the passions of ten women across three centuries who used walking to help establish their sense of identity. From Elizabeth Carter to Cheryl Strayed, each passion-infused woman used walking and trekking to shape their writing and their spirit.
I gifted Wanderers to my wife before we set off on several long hikes through the Canadian Rockies. I couldn’t peel her away from the book in our tent each night—even after covering double-digit miles on foot—and heard nearly every one of these pioneering women’s stories verbatim. Never thought a book about walking would be her favorite ever gift from me!
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey
by Derick Lugo
Derick Lugo, a New Yorker with zero hiking experience, humbly decides to tackle the entire Appalachian Trail. Armed with humor, determination and a wicked sense of adventure, the city slicker faces rugged terrain, unpredictable weather and—as one expects on these sickeningly long ventures—the absurd personalities of fellow dedicated thru hikers.
This is an incredibly entertaining and heartwarming read, as an unassuming trekker discovers the power of perseverance and the joy of connecting with nature—at no cost to his unique urban perspective.
You Are Here
by David Nicholls
Finally, a fiction book on walking!
Following two former lovers—Michael and Marnie—on a ten-day hike through Italy, David Nicholls captures the tension, nostalgia and humor of trying to rekindle old flames.
David Nicholls has been called the master of British-style banter, and this follow-up to bestselling book One Day only solidifies that claim. A fun, hearty read that’ll actually inspire you to get outdoors for a nice stroll.
A Philosophy of Walking
by Frédéric Gros
In A Philosophy of Walking, Frédéric Gros delves into the deeper meaning behind walking, exploring how it offers more than just a way to get from point A to point B. Blending philosophy, history and his own personal insight, Gros reflects on how walking can provide freedom, clarity and even rebellion.
This is a thoughtful, often meditative exploration of why putting one foot in front of the other is so powerful.
Wanderlust: A History of Walking
by Rebecca Solnit
Wanderlust is a fascinating journey through the history and cultural significance of walking. From ancient pilgrimages to modern protests, Solnit shows us how walking has shaped human experience, art and even activism.
Solnit packs her book about walking with quirky anecdotes and philosophical musings, using it as a tribute to walking as a way of understanding the world.
Families on Foot: Urban Hikes to Backyard Treks and National Park Adventures
by Jennifer Pharr Davis and Brew Davis
A bible for the active family, Families on Foot is the ultimate walking guide for family units desperate for more time outdoors, whether for a quick urban hike or a weekend’s exploration in a national park. Jennifer and Brew Davis give us parents fun, practical tips on planning, gear and kid-friendly routes (advice not to be taken lightly!).
As a dad with a young family, I loved this enthusiastic and insightful guide on walking. With a cross-country trip planned in two years’ time, I’ll be pulling it out again to review every page I dog-eared.
The Salt Path
by Raynor Winn
With their home and livelihood taken from them, Raynor and her terminally ill husband, Moth, decide that hope and healing might be found on a 630-mile trek along the South West Coast Path. The couple are completely under-resourced and underprepared—two no no’s in the trekking world—and find more than they bargained for in this heartwarming story of loss and resilience.
Anyone rediscovering their own meaning of “home” will undoubtedly warm to this one (not to mention these beautiful books about returning home). A fascinating true story that unquestionably deserves its Sunday Times Bestseller status, The Salt Path will both figuratively and literally move you.
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