Books for Walkers: Enhance Your Hiking Experience
2025-04-16
For those who love to lace up their boots and head out into the hills, there’s nothing quite like a good book to accompany the journey – whether in your rucksack or by the fire after a long day’s walk. From insightful walking guides to inspiring hiking books and nature-focused outdoor reading, literature can enrich the hiking experience in ways the trail alone cannot.
Enhance your hiking with must-read books for walkers. Discover guides, memoirs, and nature reads to inspire and enrich your outdoor adventures and journeys.
Whether you’re planning a walking holiday in the Lake District, strolling through Cumbrian fells, or discovering new local routes, having the right book can deepen your appreciation for the great outdoors. In this post, we explore some of the best books for walkers to carry, read, and cherish.
Why Books Belong in a Hiker’s Kit
Many hikers turn to books not just for planning, but for inspiration. The right words can spark a sense of adventure, provide essential guidance, or offer comfort during solitary moments on the trail.
How Hiking Books Add Value to Your Outdoor Experience
- Offer historical and cultural context to the landscapes you walk through.
- Provide practical tips and walking guides to stay safe and explore smarter.
- Inspire you to explore new destinations and challenge yourself.
- Serve as a companion during breaks or bad-weather days.
If you're a lover of the outdoors, reading and walking are natural allies – feeding both the body and the soul.
Top Hiking Books to Inspire Your Next Adventure
Whether you're new to walking or an experienced long-distance trekker, these hiking books are must-reads for every kind of walker.
1. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
A powerful and poetic memoir, The Salt Path tells the story of Raynor and her husband Moth, who, after facing devastating loss, choose to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path. It's a testament to resilience, healing, and the redemptive power of nature.
2. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
A true classic of outdoor reading, this memoir recounts Cheryl Strayed’s solo journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. Honest, raw, and emotional, it explores how hiking can be a path to personal transformation.
3. Walking Home by Simon Armitage
A gentle blend of poetry, humour, and travelogue, this account follows the Poet Laureate as he walks the Pennine Way, paying his way through poetry readings. It’s insightful, uplifting, and quintessentially British.
4. The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd
First published in the 1970s but written decades earlier, this meditative classic captures the author’s deep connection with the Cairngorms in Scotland. Ideal for reflective outdoor reading, it’s a book to read slowly, again and again.
5. Mountains of the Mind by Robert Macfarlane
For those curious about the psychology and allure of mountains, this book weaves together history, literature, and science to explain why we are drawn to high places.
Walking Guides Worth Packing
Sometimes, the most useful books are those filled with maps, instructions, and local secrets. If you're looking for hiking books to help you plan your walks or navigate on the go, consider these top walking guides.
1. The Cicerone Guides
Covering everything from the Lake District to the Pyrenees, these are some of the most trusted walking guides in the UK. Each volume includes detailed routes, elevation maps, and local tips.
2. OS Pathfinder Guides
These user-friendly guides are published by Ordnance Survey and include circular walks for all levels. They’re excellent for families or anyone looking for accessible and scenic routes.
3. Wainwright’s Guides
No list would be complete without the iconic Wainwright books. Hand-drawn and charmingly written, they cover the fells of the Lake District with meticulous attention and personal commentary.
Outdoor Reading to Enjoy Between Walks
If you enjoy curling up with a good book after a long day of rambling, consider these reads. They aren’t walking guides per se, but they make perfect companions for walkers who love nature and history.
1. The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane
Macfarlane follows ancient tracks, drove roads, and sea paths across the British Isles and beyond. It’s beautifully written and packed with literary and historical references.
2. Adventures in the Anthropocene by Gaia Vince
For walkers who ponder the future of our planet while treading lightly across it, this thought-provoking book offers global perspectives on humanity’s impact on the environment.
3. Landmarks by Robert Macfarlane
Another Macfarlane masterpiece, Landmarks, celebrates the language of landscapes. Each chapter is a love letter to nature, filled with forgotten words and regional dialects.
Walking Book Recommendations for Children and Families
Encouraging a love for the outdoors starts young, and there are fantastic hiking books and guides tailored to children.
- We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen – A playful classic that introduces little ones to the joys of outdoor exploration.
- Nature Trail by Benjamin Zephaniah – A celebration of the wonders found in everyday walks
- The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris – A beautifully illustrated book aimed at reconnecting children with nature through poetry and imagery.
Reading Retreats: Where to Stay for Walks and Words
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to explore walking routes by day and unwind with a book by night, the Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel offers the perfect base.
Situated near Alston Moor in the tranquil Cumbrian countryside, it’s a haven for walkers, readers, and lovers of quiet comforts. Surrounded by scenic trails and fascinating local history – including the recently rediscovered 19th-century ice-house – the hotel invites you to relax in style.
Stay Offers for Walkers and Book Lovers:
- Countryside Walking Escape: Includes two nights’ stay, breakfast, packed lunches, and a local walking guide
- Read & Ramble Retreat: Includes accommodation, a curated selection of hiking books in your room, and afternoon tea by the fire
- Family Explorer Package: Kid-friendly routes, activity packs, and nature-themed children’s books provided during your stay
Whether you’re planning a walking holiday or a cosy literary break, Lovelady Shield offers both adventure and relaxation in the heart of nature.
How to Choose the Right Book for Your Next Walk
With so many titles to choose from, here are a few tips to help you find the perfect match for your next outdoor reading or hiking adventure:
Match Your Route
Choose books that are geographically relevant to your walk. If you're exploring the Lake District, Wainwright’s guides or The Living Mountain will resonate more deeply than books set abroad.
Balance Information and Inspiration
Carry one practical walking guide and one reflective read. That way, you get the best of both worlds – navigation help and thoughtful musings to ponder during rest breaks.
Think about Format
Lightweight paperbacks are ideal for backpacking. For longer stays or reading in the hotel, bring hardbacks or collectible editions that enhance the experience.
Final Thoughts: Walk, Read, Repeat
Books and walking go hand in hand. Whether you’re discovering new trails, learning about the land beneath your feet, or simply enjoying a good story in the fresh air, the right book can elevate your hiking experience in unexpected ways.
So next time you set off on a walking holiday – or even just a weekend countryside escape – don’t forget to pack a book or two. Let the pages guide your steps, enrich your journey, and stay with you long after the trail ends.
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