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A New Year, A New Read—10 Walking Books
- Lea Appleton
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
Some books for you as we head into 2026.
I love to read about walking (almost) as much as I like walking itself. Here is a wide ranging list of 10 walking books for the new year—something for nearly everyone, really.
If you are looking for walking books to read this year, these are some I've found that are cool, interesting, inspiring, or fun. (And yes, I did sneak mine in there!)
I offer them here in alphabetical order by title. If they are on this list, I got something from it. Hope you will, too.
10 Walking Books for the New Year
The 12-Hour Walk, by Colin O'Brady
An example of how to do a day-long walk (kind of like my Wayfinding Days, but with a different purpose). Read it for inspiration on how to create your own long walk for clarity.
Afoot and Lighthearted: A Journal for Mindful Walking, by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse
A journal/book with quotes, personal stories, and discussions of walking towards more mindful and creative moments. There are additional questions and suggestions for reader reflection.
Do Walk, by Libby DeLana
A short book on the benefits of a daily walk. (Interesting note: the experience of walking shaped her ideas a lot like it has for mine.)
Mindful Walking: The Secret Language of Nature, by Alice Peck
A small, pocket-sized book with short meditations. Good for setting an intention prior to a walk or collecting one's thoughts afterwards.
Nature Meditations (technically not a book, but this card set is a wonderful companion for mindfulness, especially when you are not walking!), by Kenya Jackson-Saulters
Pull a card under four topical headings: "Nature Meditations," "Walking Thoughts," "Messages from the Earth," "Strengthening Affirmations." Each card has a short description for focused reflection or thought plus a question or activity to practice.
Peace is Every Step: The Art of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh
A book about mindfulness from a Master Teacher. Talks about walking and all sorts of other mundane ways to connect with self and with the world around you through activities of daily living as a spiritual practice.
Pilgrimage—The Sacred Art: Journey to the Center of the Heart , by Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook
If you've ever considered walking the Camino de Santiago or other long pilgrimage walk, this book is for you. It talks about pilgrimage from a number of different traditions.
A guide to mindful walking and how to make a regular outing into a mindful practice. DIY tips for creating a longer Wayfinding Day are included.
Walking in the World: The Practical Art of Creativity, by Julia Cameron
Really a book about creativity that uses a walk as part of a regular routine for getting connected to yourself and your thoughts and ideas.
Wanderlust: A History of Walking, by Rebecca Solnit
A thoughtful wandering from the philisophical to the social aspects of walking.
If you are interested on going on a walk with me, join the next Wayfinding Day. Click here to send me a message:
Lea Appleton, PCC, NBC-HWC, is a Certified Wellbeing Coach whose outdoor job is serving as a guide for Wayfinding Days, Pilgrimages, Labyrinth Walks, and Team-Building Experiences. Her indoor job is working as a Coach, Resilience Trainer, Author, and Speaker. She helps people in life and career transitions navigate change with the spirit of adventure.
