Books for Walkers: Enhance Your Hiking Experience
Blair Martel
Apr 16, 2025
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. Keep them in your rucksack or enjoy them by the fire after a long day’s walk. Enhance your walking adventures with must-read books for walkers.
A walking holiday in Orkney offers the perfect chance to enjoy historic streets, peaceful coastal paths, sea views, and fresh island air. Around Stromness, every route has its own story, and the right book can make each journey feel even more meaningful. In this post, we explore some of the best books for walkers to carry, read, and cherish during their next outdoor escape.
If these reads inspire your next island adventure, explore Orkney from the comfort of The Stromness Hotel. This May and June, guests can enjoy 15% off stays of at least two nights with our seasonal offer. Visit our special offer page, use the voucher code, and start planning a peaceful walking break in the heart of Stromness.
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 Orkney walking routes by day and unwind with a book by night, The Stromness Hotel offers the perfect base.
Situated in the heart of Stromness, with easy access to harbour walks, coastal paths, island landscapes, and Orkney’s rich heritage, the hotel is ideal for a relaxing walking break.
Surrounded by scenic trails and fascinating local history.
Stay Offers for Walkers and Book Lovers:
- May and June Walking Escape: Enjoy 15% off stays of at least two nights at The Stromness Hotel, perfect for exploring Stromness, Orkney walking routes, coastal paths, and harbour-side views.
- Read & Ramble Break: Spend your days discovering Orkney on foot, then return to a relaxing hotel stay where you can unwind with a good book after a long day’s walk.
- Book Your Island Stay: Use voucher code [STROMNESS2026] when booking your minimum two-night stay and start planning a peaceful walking break in the heart of Stromness. Book Now!
Whether you’re planning a walking holiday or a cosy literary break, The Stromness Hotel offers both adventure and relaxation in the heart of nature.
After a day of walking, fresh air, and exploring Orkney’s beautiful landscapes, you can return to The Stromness Hotel for a well-earned treat. Our Scapa Flow Restaurant is open every day from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, offering a relaxing place to enjoy dinner after your adventure. For slower daytime moments, The Flattie in a Teacup is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, serving coffee, cake, sandwiches, and peaceful harbour-side views.
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.
Blair Martel
