7 New Hiking Books Reshaping Outdoor Adventures in 2025

Discover Hiking Books by Stewart M. Green, James Globe, and other authorities delivering fresh 2025 perspectives and expert insights.

Updated on June 25, 2025
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The hiking landscape changed dramatically in 2024, with new books offering fresh insights into trail selection, safety, and immersive outdoor experiences. As more adventurers seek authentic connections with nature, these 2025 releases capture a shift towards accessible yet meaningful hiking journeys, blending practical advice with updated trail information.

Written by authors deeply rooted in their regions—from Colorado Springs to the Alaskan wilderness—these books provide authoritative guidance shaped by decades of exploration and expertise. Their focus ranges from easy day hikes to challenging backcountry treks, ensuring readers gain forward-thinking perspectives that match evolving outdoor interests.

While these cutting-edge books provide the latest insights, readers seeking the newest content tailored to their specific Hiking goals might consider creating a personalized Hiking book that builds on these emerging trends and aligns with your unique experience level and ambitions.

Best for easy day hikers in Colorado
Unlike many hiking books that focus on challenging routes or remote wilderness, "Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs" zeroes in on accessible trails that let you experience the region’s natural charm with ease. Stewart M. Green, a Colorado native and seasoned climbing guide, draws from decades of exploring the Pikes Peak area to offer you well-mapped hikes mostly under five miles. This book serves those who want to enjoy familiar spots like Garden of the Gods or discover quieter parks without demanding physical strain, making it a helpful resource for anyone looking to engage with Colorado’s outdoors in a manageable, enjoyable way.
2025·144 pages·Hiking, Colorado Springs Travel Guide, Travel, Outdoor Recreation, Colorado Springs

Stewart M. Green’s deep roots in Colorado Springs and his extensive experience as a freelance writer and climbing guide shape this collection of easy hikes around the region. You’ll find detailed maps and clear descriptions for twenty-five trails, most under five miles, ranging from the iconic Garden of the Gods to the quieter Mueller State Park. This book isn’t just a list; it’s a practical companion that helps you explore the high plains and mountain landscapes without overwhelming complexity. If you want to enjoy manageable hikes that capture the essence of Colorado Springs’ outdoor beauty, this book fits the bill perfectly.

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Best for Alaska trail explorers
What makes this guide unique in hiking is its focus on Alaska’s diverse landscapes and trail options, offering the latest insights for 2025 adventurers. The book lays out a clear framework—from beginner paths to challenging day hikes—paired with practical tips on gear and safety that are crucial for Alaska’s conditions. It’s designed for those wanting to explore Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, and beyond, combining hiking with other outdoor activities like kayaking and wildlife watching. This guide helps you move past common tourist spots and dive into authentic Alaskan experiences, making it a valuable companion for your next big adventure.
2024·225 pages·Hiking, Anchorage Travel Guide, Fairbanks Travel Guide, Outdoor Adventures, Long-Distance Hikes

After immersing himself in Alaska's vast wilderness, James Globe crafted this guide to navigate its most captivating hiking trails and outdoor adventures. You’ll gain detailed insights into selecting trails that match your skill level, along with clear GPS coordinates and seasonal advice to optimize your experience. The book also offers practical guidance on gear and safety, while sharing insider knowledge about hidden spots that only locals usually know. If you’re drawn to exploring Alaska beyond the usual tourist routes—whether tackling long-distance hikes or engaging in kayaking and wildlife watching—this guide will equip you with the essential know-how for your journey.

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Best for personal hiking plans
This AI-created book on hiking innovations is written based on your experience level and specific interests in the latest outdoor trends. By sharing your background and goals, you receive a book that focuses on the newest developments and techniques for 2025 tailored just for you. This personalized approach ensures you explore hiking insights that truly match what you want to learn and achieve in your outdoor adventures.
2025·50-300 pages·Hiking, Hiking Trends, Trail Selection, Safety Innovations, Gear Advances

This personalized book explores the latest developments and discoveries in hiking for 2025, tailored to your unique background and goals. It covers emerging trends in trail selection, safety innovations, gear advancements, and immersive outdoor techniques that match your specific interests. By focusing on the newest insights relevant to you, this book reveals how hiking is evolving in real time and helps you stay ahead with knowledge aligned to your experience level. Whether you're seeking to deepen your connection with nature or master upcoming challenges, this tailored guide examines the field through a lens customized for your ambitions, ensuring an engaging and relevant learning journey.

AI-Tailored
Hiking Innovation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for wilderness hiking enthusiasts
This guide to 63 wilderness hikes by Bill Schneider stands out for its focus on the Absaroka-Beartooth area’s rugged, high-altitude terrain spanning Montana and Wyoming. It offers detailed trail descriptions combined with vivid portrayals of the region’s natural wonders—from towering peaks to tranquil meadows and trout-filled lakes. Whether you’re seeking scenic vistas or off-trail adventures, this book provides valuable perspectives to help you tackle some of the United States’ most majestic mountain landscapes. Its comprehensive approach benefits hikers aiming to deepen their connection with wilderness hiking and master navigation in less-traveled backcountry areas.
2024·320 pages·Hiking, Wilderness, Trail Navigation, Mountain Climbing, Wildlife Observation

Bill Schneider's decades of hiking experience across the rugged Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness culminate in this detailed guide to 63 distinct trails. You’ll gain insights into navigating high-altitude terrains such as the Beartooth Plateau and tackling challenging summits like Granite Peak, while appreciating the region's diverse wildlife and serene meadows. The book balances practical trail descriptions with vivid portrayals of natural beauty, helping you plan excursions that fit your skill level and interests. It's particularly useful if you seek to deepen your understanding of backcountry hiking in this unique Montana-Wyoming border wilderness, rather than just casual day hikes.

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Best for Utah mountain hikers
Hiking Utah's High Uintas offers a fresh perspective on exploring one of the West's most rugged mountain regions. This guide stands out by blending updated trail descriptions with detailed maps and vivid photography, capturing the latest developments in hiking routes and conditions. It serves those eager to navigate the High Uintas' backcountry thoughtfully, whether on short day hikes or longer treks. The book addresses the need for clear, accessible information in a vast wilderness, helping hikers of all levels gain confidence and enjoyment from their journeys.
2024·280 pages·Hiking, Outdoor Navigation, Trail Mapping, Backpacking, Day Hiking

After extensive exploration of Utah's High Uinta Mountains, Andrew Dash Gillman developed this guide to address the challenge of navigating its vast wilderness with clarity and confidence. You gain detailed hike descriptions, precise maps, and vivid photographs that bring the terrain to life, supporting both quick day excursions and extensive backpacking trips. The book breaks down complex route information into approachable insights, such as trail conditions and elevation changes, enabling you to plan hikes suited to your skill level. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or stepping into the High Uintas for the first time, this guide equips you with practical knowledge to explore safely and enjoy the region's natural beauty.

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Best for Idaho backcountry adventurers
Idaho stands out as one of America's last vast wilderness frontiers, and Luke Kratz's Hiking Idaho offers a timely guide to its spectacular and varied terrain. This book compiles insights from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, presenting over 100 hikes suited to all experience levels with detailed photos and maps. It addresses recent changes in the landscape caused by natural events, helping you stay informed for safer adventures. Whether you seek challenging mountain climbs or peaceful forest walks, this guide helps you navigate Idaho's wild spaces with confidence and updated knowledge.
Hiking Idaho (State Hiking Guides Series) book cover

by Luke Kratz·You?

2024·518 pages·Hiking, Trail Guides, Wilderness Exploration, Outdoor Navigation, Environmental Changes

Luke Kratz's extensive experience exploring Idaho's wild landscapes shines through in this guide, born from a passion to share the state’s rugged beauty and evolving terrain. You'll gain detailed knowledge of over 100 diverse hikes, from the challenging granite peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains to serene forest meadows, complete with updated maps and photos. The book also addresses recent environmental changes like wildfires and trail repairs, giving you a reliable, current resource for planning your adventures. This guide suits anyone eager to explore Idaho's backcountry, whether you’re a seasoned hiker seeking new challenges or a beginner looking for accessible trails.

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Best for custom hiking plans
This AI-created book on hiking preparation is crafted based on your experience and your interest in next-generation hiking challenges. You share your current skill level, which aspects of hiking you want to focus on, and your goals for staying ahead of new developments. The book is then created to match exactly what you need to learn, exploring the latest 2025 insights tailored specifically for you. This personal approach helps you prepare efficiently for future trails and outdoor adventures.
2025·50-300 pages·Hiking, Hiking Fundamentals, Gear Innovations, Trail Navigation, Safety Protocols

This personalized hiking book explores future-ready hiking strategies crafted to match your unique background and ambitions. It delves into the latest 2025 developments, revealing emerging techniques and innovations that shape next-generation trail experiences. By tailoring content to your specific interests, it guides you through preparation methods that align with your skill level and goals, ensuring you stay ahead of evolving challenges. From advanced gear selection to navigation tactics, this tailored approach offers focused knowledge that keeps your outdoor adventures both safe and exhilarating. The book examines cutting-edge discoveries and adapts to your personal hiking objectives, providing a custom learning path through the most current insights in outdoor exploration. It’s designed to empower you with relevant expertise for tomorrow’s trails, enhancing your readiness and confidence in the wilderness.

AI-Tailored
NextGen Preparation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers
Hiking My Own Hike offers a fresh look at the Appalachian Trail experience through Jon Fuller’s 2023 thru hike, covering over 2,198 miles with a candid narrative that doesn’t shy away from the tough realities of long-distance hiking. This book stands out by combining a detailed daily log with insights into vanlife, appealing to those curious about alternative trail lifestyles. If you’re drawn to the idea of the Appalachian Trail but want a realistic portrayal that includes both the beauty and the struggle, this book lays out what you can expect and who might benefit from this approach.
2024·567 pages·Hiking, Long Distance, Trail Culture, Vanlife, Appalachian Trail

Jon Fuller’s firsthand account of his 2023 Appalachian Trail thru hike breaks from typical memoirs by capturing both the relentless challenges and unexpected joys of long-distance hiking. Fuller doesn’t shy away from the physical and emotional tolls, offering a day-by-day log that immerses you in the full spectrum of a thru hike, far beyond the usual highlight reel. His unique combination of vanlife and hiking provides practical insights for those curious about blending mobility with trail life. If you’re contemplating the AT but hesitant about the traditional backpacking lifestyle, Fuller’s narrative gives you a grounded yet engaging perspective on what’s really involved.

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Best for Swiss trail planners
Explore the rich hiking opportunities of Switzerland with "Hiking In Switzerland," which details trails ranging from gentle walks to challenging climbs. This guide offers you practical route descriptions, difficulty ratings, and essential tips on where to sleep and eat, making it easier to plan your adventure comprehensively. Whether you’re hiking with family or seeking tougher terrain, this book helps you navigate Swiss landscapes thoughtfully and enjoyably.
2024·165 pages·Hiking, Trail Planning, Outdoor Recreation, Route Difficulty, Distance Measurement

The methods Kyle N. Wentz developed while exploring Switzerland’s diverse terrain reveal a practical and immersive approach to hiking. This guide breaks down trails by difficulty, distance, and duration, offering you clear insights into what to expect on each route, whether you're tackling an easy family walk or a demanding mountain trek. You'll also gain useful knowledge about local geography, climate, and cultural highlights, helping you prepare thoroughly and enrich your experience beyond the trail. Perfect if you want more than just directions—this book equips you to plan trips that blend adventure with comfort, including where to rest and savor local cuisine.

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Conclusion

These seven hiking books collectively emphasize three key themes: accessible exploration of iconic regions, deep dives into rugged wilderness terrains, and immersive personal trail experiences like thru hiking. Together, they reflect hiking’s evolving appeal—from manageable day outings to ambitious backcountry adventures.

If you want to stay ahead of trends or the latest research, start with "Alaska Travel Guide 2025" and "Hiking Utah's High Uintas" for updated trail conditions and safety strategies. For cutting-edge implementation of long-distance hiking lifestyles, combine "Hiking My Own Hike" with "Hiking the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness."

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Hiking book to apply the newest strategies and latest research to your specific situation. These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve in your hiking adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs" if you want manageable, local trails. For more ambitious outings, "Alaska Travel Guide 2025" offers comprehensive advice on diverse terrain and safety.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Hiking?

Not at all. Titles like "Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs" and "Hiking In Switzerland" cater to beginners, offering clear route descriptions and practical tips for all skill levels.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with region-specific guides that match your interests, then explore specialized books such as "Hiking My Own Hike" for long-distance perspectives and "Hiking the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness" for wilderness skills.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your hiking goals. Each book offers unique insights, but reading multiple will broaden your knowledge of diverse trails and hiking styles.

Which books focus more on practical application versus theory?

"Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs" and "Hiking Utah's High Uintas" provide practical trail maps and safety tips, while "Hiking My Own Hike" offers experiential insights into thru-hiking challenges.

How can I get hiking advice tailored to my specific needs?

Expert books are invaluable, but personalized Hiking books complement them by tailoring insights to your skill level, goals, and preferred hiking styles. Consider creating a personalized Hiking book for focused guidance.

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