8 Best-Selling Hiking Books Millions Love

Cheryl Strayed's deeply personal journey led her to write this memoir after grappling with profound loss and upheaval. You learn what it takes to face extreme physical challenges and emotional resilience along a grueling eleven-hundred-mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. The book doesn’t just map terrain but explores the terrain of grief and self-discovery, especially in chapters detailing encounters with rattlesnakes and harsh weather. If you’re drawn to stories of endurance or seeking insight into overcoming personal setbacks, this candid narrative offers both inspiration and a raw look at healing through wilderness.

What makes this book resonate is Bill Bryson's knack for blending humor with a genuine exploration of the Appalachian Trail’s natural beauty and history. Bryson, returning to America after two decades in Britain, takes you on a 2,100-mile trek filled with candid observations about the landscape and the quirky characters he meets, like his out-of-shape companion Stephen Katz. You’ll gain not only a vivid sense of the trail’s geography but also an understanding of its environmental significance and the challenges facing its preservation. This is a book for anyone curious about nature, adventure, or the oddities of human behavior in the wilderness.

This tailored hiking guide explores strategic skills and techniques designed for diverse terrains, matching your background and specific goals. It delves into how to navigate varying landscapes confidently, combining well-established hiking principles with insights aligned to your interests. The book reveals practical approaches to trail preparation, terrain adaptation, and safety considerations, all framed to enhance your outdoor experiences. By focusing on personalized trail mastery, it covers essential hiking knowledge and skill development relevant to your unique journey. This immersive content encourages a deeper understanding of hiking challenges and empowers you to tackle trails with greater confidence and enjoyment.

Kate Siber brings her extensive travel journalism experience to this vivid collection of 100 hikes that span the globe, from iconic routes like the Appalachian Trail to lesser-known paths such as Micronesia's Six Waterfalls Hike. You’ll gain practical knowledge on trail selection suited to your skill level, wildlife spotting tips, and travel essentials, all wrapped in inspiring National Geographic photography. The book’s chapters vary from single-day walks to challenging multi-week expeditions, offering something for casual walkers and seasoned hikers alike. If you’re looking to expand your hiking horizons and explore diverse landscapes with expert insights, this guide provides a well-rounded, visually rich resource.

Carrot Quinn's experience as a long-distance hiker shapes this vivid account of walking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. You gain insight into the physical endurance and mental resilience required to tackle 2,660 miles of wilderness, from desert heat to mountain cold. The book explores the emotional landscape of isolation and connection, capturing moments with fellow hikers who transform from strangers into companions. If you're drawn to personal adventure narratives that reveal both the hardships and unexpected camaraderie of thru-hiking, this book offers an unvarnished view of what such a journey entails.

Joan M. Griffin draws from her deep connection to the Sierra Nevada and a lifetime of wanderlust to narrate the journey of three women tackling the John Muir Trail. You’ll gain insight into the physical and emotional challenges of long-distance hiking, including navigating extreme weather and unexpected setbacks, while also experiencing the camaraderie and transformative power of nature. Chapters vividly capture moments like facing lightning at high altitude and dancing under moonlight, making this more than just a trail tale—it’s a study in resilience and friendship for anyone curious about serious backpacking or personal endurance.

This tailored hiking guide focuses on your unique background and goals to help you rapidly enhance endurance and hiking skills over 30 days. It explores essential techniques, endurance-building exercises, and practical trail strategies, all aligned with your interests and current experience. This personalized approach reveals how to progressively develop stamina and confidence on varied terrains while addressing specific challenges you face. By concentrating on your priorities, the book transforms popular, reader-validated hiking knowledge into a custom roadmap for growth. It examines how targeted daily plans can boost your physical readiness and hiking enjoyment effectively, making your progress both measurable and motivating.

What started as a personal quest for escape transformed into a vivid narrative capturing the grueling 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Keith Foskett draws from his extensive hiking experience and respect for nature to weave encounters with colorful characters and candid reflections on physical and mental endurance. You gain insight into the realities of long-distance hiking beyond just the logistics—chapters detail challenges like skin chafing and the psychological toll of solitude. This memoir suits anyone curious about the emotional landscape of wilderness adventure and the unpredictable human stories that unfold on the trail.

Tim Ernst's decades of hiking experience across Arkansas culminate in this detailed guide to 78 carefully selected trails throughout "The Natural State." You’ll find precise trail maps alongside in-depth descriptions that range from gentle nature walks to challenging backpacking routes, including hidden gems that lead to stunning vistas. The book also delves into practical topics like camping and gear selection, making it a solid companion whether you’re a casual day hiker or an experienced trekker. While it’s grounded in Arkansas terrain, the insights on trail conditions and preparation will resonate with anyone looking to deepen their outdoor skills in varied environments.

What happens when a seasoned mountaineer like Chris Bonington takes on Everest in an unorthodox way? Bonington, driven by a desire to push beyond traditional routes, offers you an immersive glimpse into the grueling realities of high-altitude climbing. You’ll gain insights into the teamwork, strategy, and sheer endurance required to tackle Everest "the hard way," detailed through vivid narratives and supported by sixty-four pages of color photographs. This book suits anyone fascinated by mountaineering challenges, team dynamics in extreme conditions, or the raw human spirit confronting nature's toughest tests.