12 Hiking Movies and Documentaries to Inspire Your Adventures
If you’re looking for ideas for your next trek, want to reminisce about a former adventure, or just love the great outdoors, any one of these great hiking movies should be just the ticket. Even if you just want to live vicariously through the main characters, a hiking movie is a great choice– the stories take place in gorgeous locations and usually center around overcoming hardships– a recipe for a great movie night.
So without further ado, here’s a list of the best hiking movies and documentaries for a thrilling experience without leaving your couch.
1. Mile… Mile and a Half
Set on the John Muir Trail
This adventure documentary depicts a month-long hike on California’s John Muir Trail. The hikers themselves also happen to be professional photographers, so the epic film is also full of California landscape eye-candy.
This beautiful hiking movie is a must-watch for anyone who has dreamed of taking a few weeks to go backpacking in nature.
2. Tracks
Set in Australia
This Australian film is inspired by a true adventure: In the late 1970s, a young woman walked across Australia without much more than our dog and four camels. It took eight months and 2,700 kilometers across Australia’s harsh outback to complete the journey.
The leading character is cut from a different cloth compared to the heroines of a lot of the other solo female travel movies, and the stunning film adaptation allows you to follow her on a journey that very few people will ever take.
3. Edie
Set in the UK
Edie, one of the best hiking movies
This heartwarming hiking movie tells the story of a woman in the sunset years of her life who fulfills a lifelong dream. Instead of going into the retirement home her family plans for her, she decides to go hiking in the Scottish highlands. Even with 80+ years, Edie proves that anything is possible.
4. The Way
Set on the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain
The Way is the story of a father who walks the Camino de Santiago in honor of his son. Anyone thinking of walking the famous pilgrimage route should catch this hiking movie about backpacking from France to the western coast of Spain.
The film will give you a glimpse into the Spanish countryside and the different types of travelers that you are likely to meet on the trail.
5. It is the People
Set on the Pacific Crest Trail
This is one of the best hiking movies about the Pacific Crest Trail– it’s beautifully shot and masterfully edited. Anyone who dreams of the PCT will love this short adventure documentary about backpacking that depicts the raw experiences and cast of characters you’re likely to meet along this famous west coast trail. The real stories and personalities of the outdoors adventurers will inspire you to plan your own trip as soon as you can.
6. Into the Wild
Set in Alaska
This moving film is a visual treat and a beautiful tribute to a man who felt compelled to go off the beaten path and immerse himself in nature. Though the ending is tragic, anyone who hears the call of the wild can relate to the spirit of the main character and his search to discover the natural beauty of this earth.
In addition to being a gorgeous film, it also features one of the best travel-themed soundtracks of all time. It’s a classic backpacking movie that is a must-watch for any true explorer and is available on Amazon.
Watch it with Paramount+ on Amazon
7. Wildlike
Set in Alaska
This indie adventure film set in the Alaskan wilderness has won multiple awards at film festivals. The wild Alaskan frontier serves as the background, and reflects the personal hardships that the main characters are trying to overcome.
It’s the perfect film for anyone who likes the great outdoors but also wants the watch a character-driven survival story.
8. Wild
Set on the Pacific Crest Trail
Solo female backpackers everywhere have been inspired by this hiking movie. Here is the true story of Sheryl Strayed, who embarked on the Pacific Crest Trail after a deep heartbreak. Besides the beautiful images of the Western U.S. landscapes, we love the adventure film for its depictions of everyday struggles that every long-haul backpacker has experienced.
9. Jungle
Set in the Amazon Rainforest
Based on a true story, Daniel Ratcliffe plays the main character who has to survive in the Amazon Rainforest after getting lost during a backpacking adventure with his friends.
Hopefully, none of us will have to experience the near-death experiences depicted in this survivalist film, but from the safety of your own couch, you can watch how this ultimate backpacking adventure goes down. This is one of the best hiking movies for anyone who wants to see the resilience of the human spirit go head to head with the raw power of nature.
10. Do More With Less
Set on the Pacific Crest Trail
This hiking documentary shows short interviews with over 100 hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. Some of them have been returning to the trail year after year, some are doing the trail for the first time in their life.
The hiking movie captures the sense of community on the Pacific Crest Trail and the inner passion for the great outdoors. Plus, the genuine and inspiring people depicted will give you hope in humanity. Once you see the film, you’ll probably start planning your PCT trip.
11. Touching the Void
Set in the Peruvian Andes
Touching the Void is another epic backpacking and adventure film that is based on a true survival story. Touching the Void recreates a harrowing trek in the Peruvian Andes, where two friends have to figure out how to overcome the impossible.
12. A Walk in the Woods
Set on the Appalachian Trail
There are a few hiking movies about the Appalachian Trail, but this classic is one of our favorites. The charming story features a stellar cast that includes Nick Nolte, Robert Redford, and Emma Thompson. What more could you want out of a hiking movie?
About the author
Monica Woerner
Monica is an avid traveler and backpacker who seeks to inspire others to embark on great adventures off the beaten path. Originally from California, she has travelled to over 60 countries, most of which she explored while backpacking or camping.
