I love walking. I also love reading. So here I bring together where these two passions collide in my list of favourite walking books. These that are books that have inspired adventures, instructed me in navigation techniques, educated me in the advantages of walking, helped me plan treks or just simply helped me to relax and escape to another place when my legs are too tired to carry me any further. I help you find something in this list to inspire you too.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

The Lord of the Rings is simply my favourite fiction book of all time. I love it, I have read it several times and seen the movies, played the games; you name it – I am most definitely a fan! The scale and complexity of the book is of course epic but there is a simple premise at the core, and that is of two friends on a very long walk. The key relationship of lord of the rings is Frodo and Sam, the two hobbits, on their quest to destroy the ring of power. It is a story of universal themes: overcoming adversity and good over evil. It is about ordinary folk doing extraordinary things and a tale of personal discovery and enduring friendship.

I recently read the book again on my kindle while walking the Tour de Mont Blanc and my kids loved my reciting of the story as we walked along. This book, more than any other, taught me that every walk is an adventure; even if you are not going all the way to Mount Doom.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – J.R.R. Tolkein

Mind over matter by Ranulph Fiennes

Mind Over Matter was the first real life account of an epic walk that I ever read, and it deeply affected me.  Ranulph Fiennes’ account of his trek across the Antarctic with Mike Stroud is inspiring, educational and scary in equal measure. This book was one of the key reasons for pursuing my Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society and I had the honour to meet Sir Ranulph in person before some of my own expeditions to Svalbard and Greenland. His book prompted me to seek out new paths in the polar wildernesses. One very practical tip I took from this book was the idea of the ‘polar plod’; setting a walking pace that you can maintain all day every day on long expeditions. Setting a new record for the longest unsupported expedition polar journey (1350 miles), this is a story of real endurance.

“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” – Ranulph Fiennes

The Old Ways –  A journey on foot by Robert Macfarlane

If you are a writer and then you will really appreciate the poetic musings of Robert Macfarlane. Quite frankly I get jealous reading his books as I wish I could write as well as him. All his published work is great but The Old Ways is a real love song to walking. Macfarlane seamlessly mixes history, philosophy and detailed observations of the natural world with his own musings. It is a magically evocation of some of the oldest paths and their connection to our present and future.

“The compact between writing and walking is almost as old as literature — a walk is only a step away from a story, and every path tells.” – Robert Macfarlane

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is very readable and his books are laugh out loud funny. His self depreciating observational humour is nowhere better showcased than in A Walk in the Woods, his account of walking (a large part of) the Appalachian trial. The book has also been made into a film starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. This is fun but if you just see the film you miss a lot. As well as being funny Bryson brilliant captures culture, personalities and the environment so under the waves of humour there are depths of incisive observation. Bryson would be the first to confess he is not your typical athlete so his walking accomplishments are an encouragement to all of us. Reading this made me add the Appalachian trail to my todo list.

“Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old.” ― Bill Bryson

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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

I picked this book up by chance. I was between books, on holiday and wanted something to read. On first inspection I was not expecting to like the book but after the first chapter I was hooked. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is about a simple task – walking round the corner to post a letter – that turns into an odyssey. His walk takes us on a journey through love and loss, regret and forgiveness, desire and hope. The characters and relatable and the story intriguing and plausible and thus you are drawn in to Harold’s quest.

“The least planned part of the journey, however, was the journey itself.” ― Rachel Joyce

In Praise of Walking by Shane O’Mara

Shane O’Mara has written the best book that I know of that encapsulates the science of walking. In Praise of Walking details the evolutionary, physiological, psychological and environmental importance of walking. O’Mara outlines the strong evidence for the beneficial effects of walking on physical and mental health. One of the most important recommendations of the book are his principles for town planning summarised in the acronym EASE. That “cities should be easy (to walk); accessible (to all); safe (for everyone), and enjoyable (for all). But the book is not just a dry thesis. O’Mara has a true passion for walking and he punctuates the evidence with anecdotes and stories that make the book enjoyable as well as educational.

“Although walking arises from our deep, evolutionary past, it is our future too: for walking will do you all the good that you now know it does.” ― Shane O’Mara

Mountaincraft and Leadership Eric Langmuir

This book was the set text for those wanting to be qualified Mountain Leaders in the UK. Even if you do not aspire to getting a qualification, Mountaincraft and Leadership, or its successor, Hillwalking by Steve Long are manuals that covers all the key skills you will need as you start to make your walks more adventurous. Navigation, first aid, weather, camp craft and team leadership are among the subjects he covers. I still use the equipment lists in the book as a useful reference and prompt when planning for a trip. Another similar manual I would recommend is the US equivalent, Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, but this gets into more technical climbing techniques so goes beyond the needs of most walkers.

“A decision without the pressure of consequence is hardly a decision at all.” Eric Langmuir.

Cicerone guides (by various authors)

Cicerone publishes a wide range of excellent guides and these books are often the starting place for my long distance walks and expeditions. The guides are amazingly helpful with route planning, navigation (they generally contain good maps), and logistical details such as potential accommodation and camping sites. I have recently walked the Tour De Mont Blanc (TMB guide by Kev Reynolds) and South West Coastal Path (Minehead to South Haven Point guide by Paddy Dillon) and both books were excellent. The Camino de Santiago guide is also on my shelf, as that is the next big (COVID-19 delayed) trip I am planning. I would recommend these to any one thinking of a multi-day walking, trekking or hiking holiday.

“On blue-sky days it (Mont Blanc) dazzles in the sunshine or floats on a raft of cloud, commanding one’s attention with it’s dominating height, for it has regal presence equal both to its appearance and stature.” Kev Reynolds

Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book

If you want to go for a walk, one of the best things you can do is just look at a map and piece together your own route. When I go to a new place one of the first things I want to do is look at a map and get out for a walk. There is nothing better than walking for really getting to know a new area, be it a bustling city or an empty wilderness. A detailed map, such as those produced by ordinance survey, are ideal for planning a walk but to get the most out of them you need to learn to read them properly so that the two-dimensional symbols and lines can be interpreted and allow you to picture the ground in your mind.

If you want a fun way to improve your map reading skills then check out the Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book. It will really help you focus in on the detail and appreciate the insight that a map can provide. The original was so popular there is now more, such as the Puzzle Tour of Britain.

“A map does not just chart, it unlocks and formulates meaning; it forms bridges between here and there, between disparate ideas that we did not know were previously connected.” – Reif Larsen

Being self-aware requires time. What’s more, to connect thoughtfully, spiritually and emotionally with ourselves (let alone others and our environment) does not always come easily.

Therefore, it is important to find ways we can be more mindful in everyday activities. The exemplar of using mundane activities as spiritual opportunities was probably Brother Lawrence (author of The Practice of the Presence of God) who was able to pray while doing the dishes. I, for one, struggle with achieving this level of mindfulness!

Where I do feel more naturally thoughtful and mindful is outdoors. This is why I find walking a great help for personal and spiritual reflection.

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practise and experience it.” Brother Lawrence

Prayerful Pilgrims

The concept of mindful walking can be traced back to religious practices such as pilgrimage. People of various faiths have used pilgrimages to holy sites to be opportunities to examine themselves, as well as demonstrating their spiritual commitment.

There is a growing interest in pilgrimages, as can be seen in the growing popularity of traditional Christian routes such as the Camino de Santiago (in France and Spain), The Pilgrims Way (UK) or the Way of St Francis (Italy).

“We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea”

James Elroy Flecker

These long, multi-day or multi-week walks, allow separation from the busyness of life that can allow quality self-reflection and opportunity for deep spiritual connection. But unfortunately, we don’t all have the opportunity or the time to do a full pilgrimage.

Mindful Mazes

One lesser-known, fascinating way to have a mindful walk, is to use a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a physical path or a track you follow, with stop-off points to allow reflection. The inspiration at each station could be a piece of text, an object, some music, or anything else that engages the senses and triggers the imagination. In this process, people can start to connect their ‘being’ to their ‘doing’ and deeply consider vital themes and ideas.

Labyrinths are often designed into properties such as old cathedrals or country houses, the most famous example probably being at Chartres Cathedral in France.

Creating your own mindful walk

Even without a labyrinth on hand, you can create your own mindful walk using the same principles. I have found that in this way one can replicate being more mindful on a walk, no matter where you are.

If you are anything like me, then generally you like to stride out and make progress when you walk. Taking time to pause can be almost physically painful! Therefore, it is a discipline to stop, and use my senses on these types of walk.

If you want to try and do the same, you can try this. Go for a wander, it does not matter where really but you want to be somewhere you can avoid or ignore interruptions. You also want places where you can stop and think without feeling too self-conscious.

Questions for Reflection

When you find a place to stop, then look for something that can help you be more mindful. For example, to help you could:

• Pick up or touch a small object such as a pebble or leaf. How does it feel? How was it made, or how did it get there? What role does it play in the larger environment? Answer the same questions for yourself.
• Smell a blossom or fresh-cut grass. What memory does it invoke? What were you like then? How have you changed?
• Listen to the wind or some flowing water. How does that make you feel? Do you feel better or worse? How do you want to feel?

There are of course many other questions you could ask; these are just examples. You can be very specific if you want and use objects to think about an issue that is on your mind. On the other hand, sometimes the best results come from just meditating on the object and letting the thoughts come on their own.

Why not go for a walk now and give it a try?

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“The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.” Anais Nin

Steve Jobs enjoyed the productivity of walking meetings. William Wordsworth’s creativity flowed from being in the open air. Aristotle lectured on the move and Henry David Thoreau did his best thinking while sauntering about.

What could taking a stroll do for you?

Walking can inspire conversation, improve relationships, unlock creativity, foster mindfulness, reduce stress and increase productivity. Walking also improves physical health and overall mental wellbeing. Here are some reasons why:

Time to think

Walking gives times time for reflection. There is a multitude of things clamouring for our attention so it is very easy to become reactive rather than proactive in our decision-making. Equally, being busy hampers our ability to create space and think creatively.

It is very hard to think constructively if pressed up against someone on public transport, while concentrating on driving or when staring at a computer screen. We need the time and the environment to think properly.

Getting up and taking a walk, even if it is to the water cooler, the coffee shop or local-park, can improve your thought processes. As Henry David Thoreau commented, getting out for a walk helps to free us from worldly engagements. Then we can start to think more clearly.

Perspectives

“We are fallen mostly into pieces but the wild returns us to ourselves.”  Robert Macfarlane

Getting up and walking can help to give perspective. When we sit and concentrate on something we naturally focus on one thing. As we dwell on something it magnifies and the task or challenge can take over the whole of our field of vision and dominate the conscious mind. Concentration of this sort is very powerful but if we hit some sort of blockage – be that cognitive or emotional – it is very hard to break out of that situation.

By stepping out we can free ourselves of these confines and find a new perspective. Being able to see the horizon can make a real difference in how we feel. When our senses are triggered by other stimuli – be that sun or rain on our faces, the smell of wet grass or freshly baked bread, or the sound of a river or the wind in the trees – then our thoughts and feelings can be brought into context. Once we regain a clearer perspective then we allow new ideas and energy to flow in. In this way, we can better deal with the challenges we are facing.

Mindfulness and Thankfulness

There is a growing interest in mindfulness and this interest highlights the importance of being able to appreciate the present rather than living in the future or in the past. Being in the moment can help keep us grounded and can reduce stress.

There are various approaches to this sort of meditative state but I find that being in creation, surrounded by nature, fosters in me a feeling of thankfulness and spiritual connection that I do not experience in other circumstances. Walking can promote a positive or prayerful state, particularly when surrounded by the grandeur and beauty of the natural world.

Creative Space

A study at Stanford demonstrated that a person’s creative output increases by an average of 60% when walking (Opezzo and Schwartz, 2014). The research proved that just the physical activity of walking makes us more creative.

When we add an improved environment to this activity, by getting outside, our creativity can improve all the more. Being open to external influences and new experiences enable us to generate new connections and solutions.

Sitting still by definition means you are not going anywhere. Walking, by contrast, has direction, momentum and purpose. If you hit a blockage in your thinking get on the move to enable your problem solving.

Therefore it is no surprise that writers, poets, entrepreneurs and great thinkers down the ages have often taken long walks to spark their imagination and inventiveness.

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”

Friedrich Nietzsche

An Aid to Productivity

I am a keen reader and walking and reading are not easy (and generally not recommended), but with the advent of mobile technology, we can enjoy podcasts and audiobooks as well as music on our walks. In this way, walking can be a learning experience.

We can get work done too. I frequently save telephone calls for when I am walking between engagements, as this is a good use of time as well as generally being more pleasant than sitting at a desk. With increasingly good software available on mobile devices it is now easy to dictate as you walk too. You can capture thoughts, draft emails and make appointments as you amble along. Just remember, if you want time to think and reflect, remember to take your earphones out from time to time!

A journey to better relationships

I often choose to go for a walk when meeting someone. Whether it is discussing something with my wife, having a work meeting or even conducting a coaching session, I often find that going for a walk is conducive to good conversation. I think this is partly due to some of the reasons already outlined but there is also a powerful physical and psychological link that is created by walking with someone.

When walking together you are generally side-by-side as equals. This equality in proximity can help to foster parity in the thinking and conversation. Even when meeting someone in a line-management context there is no desk to get in the way or dominance from someone sitting in a larger chair. Getting outside generally provides a neutral environment too. By removing people from a work or even a home situation, not only are distractions reduced, but you can also create a place where people feel they matter in equal terms.

Walking with purpose

When you are walking together you are also going in the same direction. This is important as it can help to bring alignment psychologically. It develops a partnership as, by the nature of walking together, you are sharing a common purpose and destination. This can help bring about the same if your conversation.

In this was walking is in contrast to sitting facing someone, which is often the way we conduct meetings, and psychologically the reverse. When sitting (or standing) facing someone you can easily become more defensive of adversarial. The dynamic can become one of holding ground, looking in opposite directions. This can lead to a more critical form of debate. If emotions get raised then walking can work off some of the energy through exertion. If you are facing someone it is harder to de-escalate a situation.

Communicating on the move

If walking is so good for communication, what about eye contact? This is a good point, and in most circumstances, I would recommend good eye contact for effective listening. When walking, as long as there are not too many obstacles, you can frequently look to the person talking, but eye contact is hard to maintain.

This situation can have some advantages though. Maintaining eye contact can sometimes make people feel self-conscious and in some situations or cultures, it can even be inappropriate. Walking can provide a less pressured context for listening although it may take more concentration by the listener to make sure someone is properly heard and encouraged.

Walking can have another advantage in aiding listening. The act of walking makes silences less pronounced and awkward. This means it is easier to give time and space for introspection and the construction of a thoughtful response. It reduces the need to quickly respond to what someone has said without reflection.

Walking to better health

“Walking is man’s best medicine” Hippocrates

The various physical and mental health benefits of walking have been known for a long time and are widely reported. Walking provides an easy (most of us do it already), cheap (no gym fees) and accessible (you can do it pretty much anywhere) way to do exercise.

It has been shown that even 20 minutes of light exercise, such as walking, can reduce the risk of death considerably, as was highlighted in the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Research conducted by Cambridge University has shown that even in cities with pollution the benefits outweigh the risks.

So why not take a stroll yourself?

So walking can help you solve problems, gain clarity, have effective one-to-one meetings and helps you get fitter to boot.

Not sure about the weather? Well the Norwegians say there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing (and there are still nice places to walk inside if you disagree!)

And for inspiration I leave you with this:

“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.”  Soren Kierkegaard

Now, why not take a stroll for yourself?

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References

Opezzo and Schwartz, 2014; http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/xlm-a0036577.pdf)

https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/walking-and-cycling-good-for-health-even-in-cities-with-higher-levels-of-air-pollution

Whenever I feel I am losing my calm, hitting a mental block in creativity or needing some clarity of thought I go for a quick walk. I love long walks but sometimes just stepping away from the desk and outside for 5-10 minutes is all that is needed.

Calm

As walking is a gentle exercise it gives us the chance to release pent up mental stress without over-stressing the body in doing so. Walking beyond the confines of our workspace also changes our environment and therefore also our perspective. The act of walking helps to regulate our breathing and physiological state and that, in turn, improves our psychological state.

Creativity

The change of environment also produces new stimuli that promote creativity. As we allow our minds to wander our subconscious can get to work on whatever problem we are facing. This allows for the ‘eureka’ moments that come when we are in a more relaxed and mentally passive state.

Clarity

As Sasha Doyle pointed out, the question that we all need to focus on is ‘What’s the most important thing I need to do today?” The challenge is, when we are drowning under a deluge of competing demands, it is hard to gain the clarity needed to properly answer that question.

Just a short walk can create some distance from the demands to allow clarity of thought. With this cognitive as well as physical distancing one can properly assess priorities and make sure the most important thing is truly the most important (not just someone else’s most important thing).

So, no matter where you are. At home or the office, the city or in the country, go for a short walk to re-set, re-energise and re-ignite.