Last updated: December 2025
Whether you’re planning your first multi-day backpacking trip or gearing up for a long-distance trail in 2026, the right hiking books can save you from painful mistakes. Gear matters, but knowledge, decision-making, and mental resilience matter more when you’re days away from a trailhead.
This list focuses on hiking books that are still highly relevant in 2026: proven classics, practical guides, and trail-tested memoirs that actually teach lessons—not just tell stories.
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Table of Contents
What Makes a Hiking Book Worth Reading in 2026
The best hiking books today do at least one of the following:
- Teach practical navigation, safety, or risk management
- Prepare you mentally for long days, discomfort, and uncertainty
- Help you hike lighter, smarter, and more sustainably
- Share real-world mistakes you can learn from before making your own
The books below are grouped by purpose so you can quickly find what fits your hiking goals.
Best Hiking Books to Read in 2026
1. Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills
Best for: Safety, skills, and serious backcountry knowledge
Often called the backpacker’s bible, this book remains unmatched for foundational outdoor skills. It covers navigation, weather, snow travel, risk assessment, and emergency response in a way that applies to hikers just as much as mountaineers.
Why it still matters in 2026:
Modern gear doesn’t replace judgment. This book builds decision-making skills that prevent accidents on remote trails.
2. Be Expert with Map and Compass by Björn Kjellström
Best for: Navigation without GPS
If batteries die or devices fail, map-and-compass skills become non-negotiable. This book is practical, visual, and focused on real terrain use—not theory.
Why it still matters in 2026:
Many hikers rely too heavily on apps. This book closes a dangerous knowledge gap.
3. The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka
Best for: Gear strategy and efficient packing
Skurka breaks down gear choices based on conditions, trip length, and environment rather than trends. It’s especially useful for hikers transitioning from weekend trips to multi-day or thru-hikes.
Why it still matters in 2026:
Ultralight thinking has matured. This book teaches systems, not shopping lists.
If you need a gear list. Check this article: The Ultimate Hiking Gear Guide 2026: What You Actually Need (Tested & Approved)
4. Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips by Mike Clelland
Best for: Cutting pack weight without suffering
This book uses simple illustrations and short explanations to help hikers rethink what they actually need on trail.
Why it still matters in 2026:
Lighter packs mean less fatigue, fewer injuries, and longer hiking careers.
5. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Best for: Entertaining trail perspective with real lessons
While humorous, this book also highlights how unprepared many hikers are for long-distance trails—and the consequences of that.
Why it still matters in 2026:
It’s approachable for newer hikers and sparks interest in long trails while quietly teaching respect for them.
6. Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart by Carrot Quinn
Best for: Mental resilience and long-distance hiking reality
This memoir focuses on the emotional and psychological side of thru-hiking: loneliness, discomfort, self-doubt, and persistence.
Why it still matters in 2026:
Mental fatigue is one of the top reasons hikers quit long trails.
7. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Best for: Solo hiking mindset and personal endurance
Beyond the popular narrative, this book offers insight into solitude, fear, and personal accountability on trail.
Why it still matters in 2026:
Solo hiking continues to grow in popularity, and mindset preparation is critical.
8. The Backpacker’s Field Manual by Rick Curtis
Best for: Practical, no-nonsense outdoor skills
This is a straightforward reference book covering campsites, water treatment, weather, hygiene, and trail safety.
Why it still matters in 2026:
It’s one of the best “quick-answer” books for real-world hiking problems.
9. Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
Best for: Environmental awareness and wilderness ethics
While not a how-to guide, this book deepens appreciation for wild places and reinforces why responsible hiking matters.
Why it still matters in 2026:
With increasing trail traffic, ethics and conservation are more important than ever.
10. On Trails by Robert Moor
Best for: Understanding trails, history, and human impact
This book explores why humans create trails and how they shape landscapes and behavior.
Why it still matters in 2026:
It changes how you see every path you walk on—and encourages more thoughtful hiking.
Paperback, Kindle, or Audiobook?
- Kindle: Ideal for multi-day hikes due to weight savings
- Audiobook: Great for training hikes, long drives, or recovery days
- Paperback: Best for reference-style books and camp reading
Many hikers mix formats depending on the book’s purpose.
Gear That Pairs Well With These Books
If you plan to read on trail or during training, consider:
- A water-resistant e-reader
- Lightweight headlamp for camp reading
- Trail journal for notes and reflections
- Minimalist backpacking chair for longer evenings in camp
These pair naturally with book purchases and improve overall trip comfort.
Final Thoughts
The best hiking books to read in 2026 aren’t about trends—they’re about preparation, judgment, and resilience. These titles help you hike smarter, safer, and with more confidence, whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a months-long journey.
If you’re building your hiking skills long-term, these books are worth revisiting again and again. Speaking of hiking skills, you may want to check these articles too:
- 10 Common Beginner Hiking Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- How to Plan a Hiking Trip: Complete 2025 Guide for Excited Beginners & Experts
- 26 Best Day Hiking Blogs of 2025
Also check this article from backpacker.com The 50 Best Hiking, Trekking, and Walking Books of All Time
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