I want to... walk around the world
Walk Aotearoa
This book is the result of local author and journalist Arnold's 9 months walking te Araroa 'northbound' from Bluff to Reinga. Apart from being funny and tear jerking, emotional and heart warming, it's superbly written, enticing readers into our stunning outdoors through her evocative and beautiful language. A must read for any lover of tramping and doing insane things.
An insightful, informative and inspiring memoir/travelogue of Nic Low's multiple crossings of the Southern Alps following the Kāi Tahu pounamu routes. Pieced together though oral and written histories including those of Low's own ancestors and whānau, this is a deeply personal story, yet also one for the entire country.
A troubled nineteen-year-old struggling with ADHD and dyslexia, Yelavich embarked on an epic 8,000 km, 600-day solo journey around the entire coastline of New Zealand in an attempt to turn his life around and raise money for charity. His -raw account demonstrates how a monumental undertaking can transform a life, inspiring readers with his determination and the profound beauty of our wild landscapes.
Walk Britain
Days after being evicted from their home, Winn's husband Moth receives a terminal diagnosis. Embarking on an arduous journey with little money and only basic gear, they navigate the challenging coastal landscape of Britain, confronting societal prejudices against the homeless and finding unexpected kindness. Winn's vivid descriptions of the natural world intertwine with their personal struggles, revealing how the physical act of walking helps them process grief, find purpose, and rediscover a profound connection to each other and the land.
The January Man by Christopher Somerville
Inspired by Dave Goulder's folk song of the same title, and his late father, Somerville undertakes a year of walks, each month bringing him to a different part of the British Isles. Blending nature writing, history, and personal reflection, Somerville's keen observations of the landscape, wildlife, and local characters are punctuated by poignant reminiscences of his father, a reticent man whose love for walking ultimately bridged a generational gap. It's a thoughtful meditation on grief, memory, and the power of the natural world to connect us to both the past and ourselves.
Walk the world
Walking the Himalayas by Levison Wood
From Afghanistan to Bhutan, Levison Wood chronicles his epic 1,700-mile journey on foot across the world's highest mountain range. Far from a mere physical challenge the book also delves into the region's diverse cultures, histories, and geopolitical complexities. Wood encounters a remarkable array of people – from nomadic herders and spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama, to soldiers and ordinary villagers – forging connections that illuminate the human experience amidst stunning yet often perilous landscapes.
Exploring Europe's unexpected landscapes: Arctic tundra in Scotland, primeval forest in Poland and Belarus, desert in Spain, Hunt masterfully blends travel writing, natural history, and folklore to showcase these "out of place" environments. Teeming with wildlife like reindeer and bison, these environments are also microcosms that reflect global environmental challenges. Hunt emphasizes the fragility of these wild spaces and how climate change threatens their very existence.
The Path of Peace by Anthony Seldon
Inspired by a fallen soldier's vision for a "Via Sacra", the Western Front Way is a grueling multi day epic from the Swiss border to the English Channel. Undertaking the journey in the wake of personal grief, Seldon interweaves historical accounts of battles with his own reflections on loss and healing. His arduous walk becomes a powerful act of remembrance and a testament to the restorative power of nature and pilgrimage.
