I love reading about hiking, the outdoors, escaping from the rat race and travel stuff too. I’ve done a lot of hiking miles in the past few years (around 12,000 at last count) and I love reading about other people’s adventures too. Not necessarily hiking either, I remember in my early twenties I enjoyed nothing better than flying to Greece and boat hopping around the islands for a few weeks. I quit few jobs in the process and it depleted my bank account pretty quickly but it was worth it!
So, what are (in my humble opinion) the best hiking and travel books out there? Well, what one person enjoys, someone else may not but there are a few titles available that stand out as being great reads in the hiking / travel / escape genre.
So what are they? Below is a list of books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve even read some of them twice. Clicking on the link will take you over to Amazon to see the books in more detail.
Clear Waters Rising by Nicholas Crane
Probably my out and out favourite book. This guy is a hero of mine and has been since I was a kid when he embarked on some crazy stuff like cycling up Kilimanjaro!
Everything about this book epitomises what I wanted when I was growing up – the unknown, the adventure and the freedom of stuffing your shit in a rucksack and heading out the back door for a year and a half!
Nicholas embarked on a seventeen-month hike along the chain of mountains from the Atlantic Coast to Turkey, including hiking through the winter!
Nicholas embarked on a seventeen-month hike along the chain of mountains from the Atlantic Coast to Turkey, including hiking through the winter!
A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson
What do you mean you haven’t read it? Many have chastised Bryson because he didn’t complete his thru-hike of The Appalachian Trail, but don’t let that put you off. The book is a classic and if you’re not laughing, you’re reading it wrong!
Cycling Home From Siberia by Rob Lilwall
You may not know it but I love a good cycle (I pedalled from London to Israel a few years back – seriously). This one makes my adventure look like a trot round the park as Rob embarks on a three-and-a-half-year, 30,000 mile epic ride.
100 Days of Solitude by Daphne Kapsali
I’m friends with Daphne so perhaps I’m a little biased but this is one clever book.
I love the simplicity and idea of spending 100 days on a small Greek island to write. Tales of locals, disappearing cats, warm socks and watching the holiday makers gradually leave at the end of summer. It’s a wonderful read.
I love the simplicity and idea of spending 100 days on a small Greek island to write. Tales of locals, disappearing cats, warm socks and watching the holiday makers gradually leave at the end of summer. It’s a wonderful read.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
I run as well (well at least when I’m not injured through running).
The blurb on this book says – ‘The hidden tribe, the ultra-runners and the greatest race the world has never seen.’
If that doesn’t make you want to read it, nothing will.
The blurb on this book says – ‘The hidden tribe, the ultra-runners and the greatest race the world has never seen.’
If that doesn’t make you want to read it, nothing will.
Are you reading any great adventure books?