Summary: In this article, I have listed 20 adventure travel books that will inspire your wanderlust, take you on thrilling journeys, and leave you with stories of courage. My top 3:
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Adventure travel books take you on thrilling journeys, spark wanderlust, and share stories of courage and transformation. Whether dreaming or planning your own trip, they remind us the journey is often the best part.
TOP 20: Best Adventure Travel Books
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- On the Road by Jack Kerouac
- The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
- Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- Tracks by Robyn Davidson
- The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto “Che” Guevara
- In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
- Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
- Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
- The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
- No Shortcuts to the Top by Ed Viesturs
- Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
- Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
- Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
- Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
1. Into the Wild
- Author: Jon Krakauer
- About: The true story of Christopher McCandless, who abandoned his life to live in the Alaskan wilderness, exploring themes of freedom and self-discovery.
- Style of writing: Investigative, reflective, and gripping.
- Length: ~67,000 words
- Year written: 1996
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving and thought-provoking, with a tragic resonance.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It explores the tension between independence and the need for connection, challenging readers to question their values.
2. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
- Author: Cheryl Strayed
- About: A memoir about Strayed’s solo hike to heal from personal tragedy and rebuild her life.
- Style of writing: Honest, emotional, and inspirational.
- Length: ~113,000 words
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Powerful and uplifting, leaving a lasting impression.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A raw, relatable tale of resilience and self-discovery through nature.
3. The Alchemist
- Author: Paulo Coelho
- About: A philosophical tale of a shepherd boy’s journey to find his personal legend.
- Style of writing: Simple, poetic, and allegorical.
- Length: ~39,000 words
- Year written: 1988
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and inspirational, with universal appeal.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A timeless story about following your dreams and finding meaning in the journey.
4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Author: Mark Twain
- About: A young boy’s journey down the Mississippi River, exploring themes of freedom, race, and morality.
- Style of writing: Satirical, humorous, and vivid.
- Length: ~109,000 words
- Year written: 1884
- Emotional impact: Endearing and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (due to dialects and historical context)
- Why read it: A classic tale of adventure and social commentary.
5. On the Road
- Author: Jack Kerouac
- About: A semi-autobiographical road trip across America in search of freedom and meaning.
- Style of writing: Stream-of-consciousness, rhythmic, and vibrant.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 1957
- Emotional impact: Energizing and reflective, capturing the spirit of rebellion.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a defining book of the Beat Generation and an ode to wanderlust.
6. The Worst Journey in the World
- Author: Apsley Cherry-Garrard
- About: A firsthand account of a disastrous Antarctic expedition with incredible survival stories.
- Style of writing: Detailed, vivid, and gripping.
- Length: ~237,000 words
- Year written: 1922
- Emotional impact: Harrowing and unforgettable.
- Difficulty level: Challenging (due to dense descriptions)
- Why read it: It’s an extraordinary tale of human endurance.
7. Seven Years in Tibet
- Author: Heinrich Harrer
- About: The author’s time in Tibet during WWII, including his bond with the Dalai Lama.
- Style of writing: Engaging and descriptive.
- Length: ~103,000 words
- Year written: 1952
- Emotional impact: Inspiring and enlightening.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A fascinating look at Tibetan culture and resilience.
8. Eat, Pray, Love
- Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
- About: A woman’s journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia to find balance and happiness.
- Style of writing: Intimate, humorous, and relatable.
- Length: ~125,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Empowering and uplifting.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It’s a personal and engaging exploration of self-discovery.
9. A Walk in the Woods
- Author: Bill Bryson
- About: A humorous account of hiking the Appalachian Trail.
- Style of writing: Witty, entertaining, and informative.
- Length: ~98,000 words
- Year written: 1998
- Emotional impact: Fun and insightful.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: Perfect for laughs and learning about nature.
10. Tracks
- Author: Robyn Davidson
- About: A woman’s solo trek across the Australian desert with camels.
- Style of writing: Introspective and vivid.
- Length: ~77,000 words
- Year written: 1980
- Emotional impact: Inspiring and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A unique tale of courage and independence.
11. The Motorcycle Diaries
- Author: Ernesto “Che” Guevara
- About: A young Guevara’s journey across South America, revealing social and political realities.
- Style of writing: Reflective, vivid, and personal.
- Length: ~67,000 words
- Year written: 1993 (posthumously published)
- Emotional impact: Eye-opening and poignant.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A fascinating glimpse into the making of a revolutionary and the continent’s struggles.
12. In Patagonia
- Author: Bruce Chatwin
- About: A travelogue of the author’s exploration of Patagonia, mixing history, myth, and observation.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, fragmented, and rich in detail.
- Length: ~74,000 words
- Year written: 1977
- Emotional impact: Captivating and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A poetic and unconventional take on travel writing.
13. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
- Author: Alfred Lansing
- About: The true story of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition and miraculous survival.
- Style of writing: Dramatic and detailed.
- Length: ~96,000 words
- Year written: 1959
- Emotional impact: Gripping and inspiring.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A testament to human perseverance and leadership under extreme conditions.
14. Kon-Tiki
- Author: Thor Heyerdahl
- About: The author’s daring journey across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft.
- Style of writing: Engaging, adventurous, and scientific.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 1948
- Emotional impact: Exciting and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A fascinating tale of exploration and innovation.
15. The River of Doubt
- Author: Candice Millard
- About: Theodore Roosevelt’s perilous journey exploring an uncharted tributary of the Amazon.
- Style of writing: Historical, vivid, and engaging.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: Inspiring and suspenseful.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping tale of adventure and human endurance.
16. No Shortcuts to the Top
- Author: Ed Viesturs
- About: A world-class mountaineer’s journey to climb all 14 of the world’s highest peaks.
- Style of writing: Inspirational and reflective.
- Length: ~96,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Motivational and awe-inspiring.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A story of discipline, passion, and the pursuit of excellence.
17. Turn Right at Machu Picchu
- Author: Mark Adams
- About: Retracing Hiram Bingham’s path to the famous Incan ruins.
- Style of writing: Humorous, informative, and engaging.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Entertaining and educational.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A perfect mix of history and humor for travel enthusiasts.
18. Around the World in 80 Days
- Author: Jules Verne
- About: A fictional account of a gentleman’s race to circumnavigate the globe.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, imaginative, and adventurous.
- Length: ~69,000 words
- Year written: 1873
- Emotional impact: Fun and exhilarating.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A classic adventure that’s both timeless and thrilling.
19. Vagabonding
- Author: Rolf Potts
- About: A practical and philosophical guide to long-term travel.
- Style of writing: Inspirational and conversational.
- Length: ~54,000 words
- Year written: 2002
- Emotional impact: Empowering and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A must-read for aspiring nomads and travel enthusiasts.
20. Blue Highways
- Author: William Least Heat-Moon
- About: A journey along America’s lesser-known backroads and hidden towns.
- Style of writing: Reflective and descriptive.
- Length: ~125,000 words
- Year written: 1982
- Emotional impact: Gentle and nostalgic.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A soulful exploration of America’s off-the-beaten-path treasures.
Conclusion
Adventure travel books are more than just exciting stories—they inspire us to explore the world and ourselves. For me, Into the Wild, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, and The Alchemist truly stand out. I think they capture the perfect blend of adventure and personal growth. Whether you're drawn to the call of the wild, a journey of healing, or the pursuit of your dreams, these books offer timeless inspiration. They’ve reminded me, time and again, that the journey—both outward and inward—is what truly matters.
