Inspiring Outdoor Adventure Books
Find a story that inspires your adventure-lust (that’s a thing, right?) and transports you to another world.
It’s like going on a trip without actually going anywhere. Whenever you’re hangin’ out at home, these outdoor adventure books will bring you straight to the outdoors.
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Tools to Get You Reading
Luckily, there are a ton of ways you can get your hands on these awesome outdoor adventure books.
- Buy eBooks: eBooks are usually cheaper than paper books. You can buy individual books or sign up for subscriptions like Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited or Scribd where you get access to a ton of books at your fingertips.
- Borrow an eBook from your library: Many libraries offer eBooks. If you choose a popular book you may have to wait for it to be available, but that’s a small price to pay for a free book.
- Download an eBook app: You don’t need a fancy eReader to take advantage of eBooks. There are lots of app options, but a few of my favourites are Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple Books, and Kobo.
- Invest in an eReader: eReaders are an amazing way to have hundreds of books without taking up all the space.
- Listen to an audiobook: Audible is probably one of the most popular audiobook services, but Scribd and Kobo are other great options.
- Buy a paper book online: Pretty much any book you’ve ever wanted is available online! Amazon and Chapters are my go-to online bookstores, but you can always check with your local bookstores.
Wild
From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
I’m sure you’ve heard of Wild. It’s pretty much the go-to outdoor adventure book and it’s on aaaall the lists. And for good reason! It’s also been made into a movie with Reese Witherspoon. Wild is one of the few book adaptations that I actually love.
Wild is a powerful memoir that’ll have you laughing, smiling, and crying as Cheryl Strayed hikes the PCT alone. She doesn’t know what she’s getting into, but she powers through and comes out the other side stronger.
Microadventures
Local Discoveries for Great Escapes
Microadventures are all about exploring local and making the most of your time at home. I found this book years ago and it’s changed how I look at adventure.
Almost Somewhere
Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail
This beautiful memoir details both the trials and victories of three young, inexperienced women as they hike the John Muir Trail and learn about themselves.
Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart
An Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail
Like many who hike the PCT, Carrott Quinn is looking to reconnect with life. She’s an inexperienced hiker but doesn’t let that stop her. She lets it all out in this memoir and will draw you in, telling you exactly what it’s like to hike the PCT.
Girl in the Woods
A Memoir
This memoir follows Aspen Matis as she hikes the entire PCT after a traumatic experience in college. Throughout her 2,650-mile journey, she’s forced to confront her assault and eventually overcome it.
A Long Trek Home
4,000 Miles by Boot, Raft and Ski
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to travel entirely by human power from Seattle to Alaska? Follow Erin and her husband as they trek up the Pacific coast, raising environmental and conservation issues along the way.
Gorge
My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds
Gorge is an incredibly inspiring and raw memoir of a plus-sized woman as she treks up Kilimanjaro. She battles with the mountainside and her own self-doubt and eventually comes into self-acceptance along the way.
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk
The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Did you know that a 67-year-old-grandma was the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail? How awesome is that! She’s also to thank for the increased maintenance along the trail.
Desert Solitaire
A Season in the Wilderness
Join Edward Abbey as he chronicles his life as a park ranger, from experiencing the silence and beauty of nature to the exploitation of the wilderness for oil, mining, and tourism.
Pure Land
A True Story of Three Lives, Three Cultures and the Search for Heaven on Earth
Follow Annette McGivney as she investigates a brutal murder in the Grand Canyon, only to have it drastically influence her own life. It’s true crime with an outdoor twist. She skillfully weaves three lives and cultures together into a story that will have you thinking about the book long after you’ve finished it.
Tracks
Have you ever thought of walking across Australia’s outback with only a few camels and a dog to keep you company? No? Well, you can join Robyn Davidson as she sets out on a solo adventure of a lifetime.
It’s also a movie if you wanna check it out!
Into the Wild
In 1992, a wealthy young man decided to reinvent himself by hitchhiking to Alaska, giving away all his money, and living off the land in the harsh north. His body was found four months later.
Rising
Becoming the First Canadian Woman to Summit Everest, A Memoir
In 1986, Sharon Wood became the first North American woman to summit Mt Everest. She recounts her climb in this memoir, but what’s even more interesting is how she got there and how her fame impacted her life afterward.
The Last Season
Follow the life of Randy Morgenson, a backcountry ranger who was well-known for finding people in the Sierra Nevada — until the day he mysteriously disappeared in those same mountains.
Blind Descent
The Quest to Discover the Deepest Cave on Earth
Instead of heading up, two men try to find the bottom of the world in this true story. They spend months two miles deep and battle rivers, waterfalls, and belly crawls all the while shrouded in absolute darkness.
Found
A Life in Mountain Rescue
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in SAR, to brave the wilderness to rescue hikers stranded in the mountains? Bree Loewen writes about the difficulties of being involved in mountain rescue.
Hiking My Feelings
Stepping into the Healing Power of Nature
Discover the beauty of disconnecting. Reconnect with yourself as this guide helps you heal and create the best version of yourself through nature and hiking.
Thirst
2600 Miles to Home
An incredibly inspiring and emotional memoir about Heather Anderson’s attempt to hike the PCT and set the fastest known time. Her story is full of fear and loneliness, but also community and self-growth.
