Top 2024 Hiking Books

These are my Top five Hiking Books for 2024, which include learning about new areas to explore and national parks to visit.

We traveled in the Midwest and discovered books that allowed us to connect with nature while exploring the area.

Below are the 2024 Top 5 Hiking Books:

Best East Day Hikes Acadia National Park by Dolores Kong and Dan Ring

This book includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for easy-to-follow hikes at Acadia National Park. Includes a walk along Ocean Path to see the pink granite cliffs, blue skies, and white surf. Then, watch fog rolling in over Frenchman Bay below from atop Cadillac Mountain.

You can find casual hikes or even longer adventures. These hikes are for everyone, including families. The book has mile-by-mile directions, GPS coordinates, and clear trail maps.

It also includes a trail finder recommending the best hikes for views, children, dogs, and ocean walks.

Best Easy Day Hikes Madison By Johnny Molloy

This book listed hikes that you can easily do around Madison, Wisconsin.

I like that it includes hikes around nearby lakes and in the city of Madison.

It also focused on some hikes in nearby parks, such as Devil’s Lake State Park, which has mountain-like rocky terrain, and Governor Dodge State Park, which has waterfalls.

Then, it also has parks along the Nature-filled Wisconsin River.

It includes a wide spectrum of hikes on different topography all found near Madison.

Best Easy Day Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park By Kent Dannen

This guide describes 36 easy-to-follow, scenic trails around Rocky Mountain National Park. With hikes varying from half-hour strolls to full-day adventures, these guidebooks are for everyone, including families.

The trails listed here also have trailheads outside the main part of the park.

They vary in length and difficulty and provide sites like waterfalls, alpine areas, mountain tops, and overlooks.

A whole section is devoted to winter hikes, which I have not seen before.

Gentle Hikes Minnesota by Ladona Tornabene, Lisa Vogelsang, and Melanie Morgan

Minnesota’s North Shore, from Duluth to the Canadian Border, is renowned for its beauty.

The book’s hikes lead to picturesque waterfalls, winding rivers, rocky landscapes, and, of course, Lake Superior. You don’t need to fill your backpack with gear or plan an overnight camping trip to see the best of this unparalleled region.

Authors Ladona Tornabene, Lisa Vogelsang, and Melanie Morgan present the top outings under 3 miles long. This guidebook details about more than 45 short hikes at your fingertips.

Each trail entry includes full-color photos, a map, and the information you want to know: total length, surface type, resting areas, trail highlights, and more.

The book also includes details on 15 scenic walks less than a mile long, 18 waysides and scenic locales, and 11 picnic sites. Plus, there are special sections for people traveling in RVs and for people with physical challenges.

Walking Chicago By Ryan Ver Berkmoes

Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods—from Little Italy to Greektown, Chinatown to New Chinatown, and La Villita to the Ukrainian Village—represent a true melting pot of America.

It is also a very walkable city with flat streets in a sensible grid and 21 miles of stunning lakeshore.

The 31 walks described here include trivia about architecture, political gossip, and the city’s rich history, plus where to dine, get the best deep-dish pizza, visit world-class museums, have a drink, and shop.

Although this book is a bit dated, I enjoyed reading about the history of the city and its architecture. Before visiting restaurants or shops listed in the book, you should ensure they are still open.