From old classic hits to new independent films, here is a complete list of the best hiking movies for some outdoor inspiration. In no order, we broke all films down into four main categories: hiking movies, hiking documentaries, outdoor movies and outdoor documentaries.
1. INTO THE WILD
Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who walked out on society to live alone and survive in the Alaskan Wilderness. Story made famous from the book written by Jon Krakauer.
See movie.
2. TRACKS
A girl takes a nearly 2,000 mile walk across the Australian desert with four camels to keep her company. A great, lesser known, hiking movie.
See movie.
3. THE WAY
The most well known film related to the Camino de Santiago. Follow a father (Emilio Estevez) in search for inner peace after the death of his son.
See movie.
4. WILD
Based on the true story of Cheryl Strayed hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as a path to recovery. Made famous from the popular book.
See movie.
5. THE WAY BACK
Another true story. This one is about a group of men escaping from a Siberian labor camp and trekking a dangerous 4,000 miles to India.
See movie.
6. WILDLIKE
Somewhat similar back story as Wild. An abused young girl looking for a way out escapes to rural Alaska. Beautiful scenery.
See movie.
7. A WALK IN THE WOODS
One of the most iconic "trail books" that made it's way to the big screen. Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) hikes the Appalachian Trail in this lighthearted tale. The movie received less than stellar reviews. But, the profound impact of the book deems it worthy a spot nonetheless.
See movie.
8. AS IT HAPPENS
9. TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
A great snapshot of the thru-hiking experience. Half a dozen hikers document their journey along the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. Get to know the famous hiker "Billygoat".
See movie.
10. MILE... MILE AND A HALF
One of the more well produced thru-hiking docs, funded from a Kickstarter campaign and featured on Netflix. Five friends take on the 210-mile long John Muir Trail in California.
See movie.
11. APPALACHIAN IMPRESSIONS
A homemade documentary on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Raw trail footage and interviews. Does a nice job showcasing the states, hikers, history and the "feel good" hiking community vibe.
12. THE LONG JOURNEY TO THE START
My personal favorite Appalachian Trail documentary. Well produced, beautiful shots, brief historical accounts and a down to earth hiking couple.
See movie.
13. ONLY THE ESSENTIAL
14. DANCES WITH WOLVES
An American classic. Set on the Great Plains during the Civil War. Vast landscapes and a heartfelt story surrounding Native Americans.
See movie.
15. 7 YEARS IN TIBET
An amazingly true story about an Austrian mountain climber who ran away from his military duties in World War 2. Heinrich (Brad Pitt) finds refuge in Tibet along side the Dalai Lama.
See movie.
16. CASTAWAY
Too slow... or interesting and thoughtful? Either way, this is a great film about a man (Tom Hanks) surviving on a remote beach with his precious volleyball.
See movie.
17. A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
Be prepared to want to learn how to fly fish. If the plot alone is not enough to entertain, the Montana (and part of Wyoming) scenery will.
See movie.
18. THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS
Filmed in the Appalachian hills of North Carolina and set mostly in deep lush wilderness. Daniel Day-Lewis is the adopted brother of a dying Native American tribe during the French and Indian War.
See movie.
19. THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) daydreams at his day job about epic adventures all over the world and ends up on a real-life adventure of his own.
See movie.
20. MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
The story behind the political icon Ernesto "Che" Guevera. This reenacts his motorcycle journey from Brazil to Peru which influenced his Marxist views.
See movie.
21. 127 HOURS
A riveting and true survival story about a rock climber (James Franco) trapped by an arm-crushing fallen boulder in a remote Utah canyon.
See movie.
22. THE REVENANT
You might be shivering cold as you watch this wild film about a fur-trading frontiersman in the 1800's. The bear scene is epic.
See movie.
23. DELIVERANCE
If "Jaws" made people fear sharks, "Deliverance" made people fear mountain people. A classic river movie, famous dueling banjos... and a famously disturbing 'squeal' scene.
See movie.
24. TOUCHING THE VOID
A real cliff hanger. The true story about a pair of climbers attempting to summit an impossible alpine peak in the Peruvian Andes.
See movie.
25. 180 DEGREES SOUTH
A personal favorite outdoor documentary. One man joins a small boat crew and sails south in hopes to go climbing in Patagonia after being inspired by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Topkins.
See movie.
26. DESERT RUNNERS
Insane ultramarathon distances across some beautiful deserts. This series of races is considered one of the toughest running events on earth.
See movie.
27. HIT THE ROAD: INDIA
The Mumbai Xpress - a 12-day rickshaw race across India. An American and a Canadian take a hilarious stab at it.
See movie.
28. BARKLEY MARATHONS
Another world-famously-tough ultramarathon race. Except... you don't know when the race starts, if anyone will finish or where the course goes.
See movie.
29. THE ENDURANCE
One of the most incredible survival stories of all time. This is the true story of Shackleton and his shipwrecked crew in the Antarctic.
See movie.
30. GRIZZLY MAN
Is this guy looney... or does he really know his Grizzlies? Interesting take on a man obsessed with one of America's greatest mammals.
See movie.
31. NORTH OF THE SUN
2 friends spend 9 months surfing on a pristine Arctic island off the coast of Norway. Bitter cold, little daylight, and a small cabin.
See movie.
32. MERU
Beautifully filmed and beautifully told. Follow three famous climbers (Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk) as they attempt the first successful summit of Meru.
See movie.
650-Calorie Fuel