Camping

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. . . Well, The Most Popular

There’s a great selection of camping and hiking books to choose from, packed from page to page (virtual or paper) with everything you might need to know for an enjoyable camping or hiking trip. Whether you want to know about how to prepare for your camping trip, tips on hiking food or simply the best hikes in the country . . . or even the world . . . there’s bound to be a book about it.

Many camping and hiking books can be ordered online, which is often a much cheaper option than buying them from your local bookstore, although I have a lot of time for local bookstores and a browse along their shelves can often turn up something quite unique, interesting and something you’d have never thought of searching for in a million years. Lots of hiking, packing and camping books also turn up at pre-used book stores, in book clubs and even at car boot or yard sales . . . keep your eyes open for some real bargains, and be prepared to find out more than you ever imagined about the life of hiking and camping.

Top 10 Hiking and Camping Books

This is my top ten, it might not be your top ten, or “Trail Snails” top ten, but I’ve tried to pick out a good range of hiking and camping books which are informative and great value . . . some are for those who are new to the world of hiking or camping, some are for those who want to take their hiking adventures one step further. Anyway, they’re all great reads . . . .

1. The Backpacker’s Field Manual: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills – this handy book has a little bit of everything you need to know to start your hiking or backpacking adventures. Definitely a very good place to start . . .
2. Backpacking One Step At A Time – okay, so lots of this information is now a little outdated, particularly about the equipment which modern hikers and backpackers now have at their disposal . . . but hiking and backpacking is all about the nature, and that hasn’t really changed for centuries. If you don’t mind “stepping back in time” a little, then this book will certainly inspire you for your future backpacking trips.
3. Hiking The Triple Crown – the three great Wilderness trails which criss cross America. The Appalachian Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail and The Continental Divide Trail. Thru hikers are a well hardened, experienced bunch, but whether you’re actually planning to tackle any of these “biggies” or just fancy reading about the hikers who do . . . well worth the read.
4. Lipsmackin’ Backpackin’: Lightweight, Trail-Tested Recipes for Backcountry Trips – yes, it was only a matter of time before I got around to talking about food, and this book has proved to be very popular amongst those who enjoy tasty food almost as much as they enjoy backpacking. If you’re bored with peanut butter and granola . . . read this book.
5. Backpacking: A Woman’s Guide – now don’t go getting all “sexist” on me, backpacking and hiking is enjoyed by men and women equally, but this book focuses on womens needs and issues, how to strengthen your muscles for a backpacking trip etc.  You see, women are not traditionally as strong as men (we all know that) but, here lies a problem, they often want to take far more stuff with them on backpacking trips. That is beginners to the hiking scene anyway, once they’ve got a little experience they’re more than willing to leave lots of that fancy stuff at home!
6. Hiking in the USA – offers lots of useful information about some of the fantastic hiking trails in the USA. Great for those hiking enthusiasts who are busy compiling a “to do” list of hikes before they die.
7. Camp Out: The Ultimate Kids Guide – kids love camping too you know, in fact, camping is a really fantastic way for families to spend their vacations and quality time. This book is packed with exciting ideas for kids (and big kids too) about everything you need to know about camping . . .
8. Camping and Wilderness Survival: The Ultimate Outdoors Book – I think the title says it all on this one, and according to one reviewer “Covers so many subjects in addition to survival and camping. It’s as though it could be 10 different books in one” – I couldn’t have said it better myself.
9. Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips - if there is anybody out there who wants to shave a few more ounces from the weight of their backpacks, this one is definitely for you, it’s also very entertaining.
10. Babes in The Wood: Hiking, Camping & Boating with Babies and Young Children – keen hikers with young children might think that they will have to stop their fun for a few years . . . but that really is not the case. This book has got loads of tips and information on how you can still enjoying hiking and camping with youngsters . . . hiking and camping – a pastime the whole family can enjoy.

 Many of these books are also available as Kindle ebooks!