Not sure where to hike this summer? Why not read about other people’s adventures and possibly follow in their footsteps? Here are six of my favourite books about hiking as well as some ideas about hikes that I'm doing this summer that might inspire you to get organized.
Nicola's Favourite Hiking Books
Shirley MacLaine, Pocket Books, 2000
Published almost 20 years ago, this book caused me to walk "The" Camino. Think what you want about MacLaine and her spirituality, but her account of the world's most loved pilgrimage set me on a walking trail that continues to this day.
Robert Macfarlane, Penguin Books, 2012
This is one of those books where I finished the last page, turned it over and started reading again. Macfarlane's musings about landscape and language, and his love of walking make this a book that not only brings his landscape alive, but yours too.
Andy Merrifield, Greystone, 2008
I have two donkey-assisted expeditions on my list of must-do hikes. While Merrifield's book is set in France and he has his own donkey, mine are both in Mexico and involve donkeys owned by others. If you long to walk for tranquility, take this book along for the trip.
Rebecca Solnit, Penguin Books, 2001
My copy of this book has molded to my body like gloves form to your hands. Page corners are turned down and scribbled note fill the margins. This is a book that I don't so much read as use. I think I've pulled more quotes from
Wanderlust
than any other, except, perhaps, Alain de Botton's
The Art of Travel
. Read it. Read them both.
Lynda L. Wilson, Stone Boat Press, 2015
This volume is very different from the others I've mentioned above. It's an account of the author's walk along the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail with her husband Doug. This book is so honest. It reminds me of what marriage is really like as opposed to what you read about it in romance novels. Wilson suffers all of the indignities of hiking, and describes them in humorous, loving detail.
Author Bio: From Loops & Lattes Hiking Guides’ author and avid hiker Nicola Ross. Visit
www.nicolaross.ca
to purchase one of her four hiking guides, sign up for her newsletter and receive info about hiking trails, books, contests and more.
