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32 Best Hiking Movies and Outdoor Documentaries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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20 Best Hiking Movies, Backpacking Documentaries & Outdoor Films

If the best thing in the world is getting out into nature, the next best thing is curling up with a bag of chips and watching a movie about nature, right? Well, today I thought I’d put together a list of the best hiking movies… only I didn’t stop there. I then added backpacking documentaries and broader outdoor films too, bringing you 20 movies you’re sure to love.

Some are iconic backpacking movies, meanwhile, others are shorter independent documentaries. But don’t worry – there are plenty of recommendations for those who liked Into the Wild!

Here is a quick overview of the hiking movies, backpacking documentaries and outdoor films included on this list. As you scroll down, I’ve included a trailer for each of them.

Best Hiking Movies :

Into the Wild

The way back, a walk in the woods.

Best Backpacking Documentaries :

Mile… Mile and a Half

Do more with less, the long start to the journey.

Non-Hiking Outdoor Movies :

Touching the Void

Deliverance.

• 180 Degrees South

North of the Sun

Pretty faces, waterwalker.

Okay, without further ago, here are the best hiking movies ever!

Best Hiking Movies

Below you will find, what I believe to be, the best hiking movies (like Wild and A Walk in the Woods ) and the best backpacking movies ( Tracks and The Way ). Together I’ve loosely categorized this section as Best Trail Movies .

These outdoor movies are often inspired by true events or based on true stories, though they are not backpacking documentaries (that’s the next section).

I’m going to start with Into the Wild , as it’s easily one of the best backpacking movies on Netflix. Into the Wild is based on the true story of Chris McCandless, a man in his earlier twenties who throws away all his possessions, abandons his family and hitchhikes to the Alaskan wilderness. It’s a remarkable story and demonstrates the challenge that comes with setting off on your own and leaving behind the material world; Chris works odd jobs just long enough to give him the funds to make the next leg of his trip.

The movie culminates in the remote Alaska bush where Chris is faced with survival challenges beyond his skills and ultimately learns the true meaning of a life worth living. Trust me, this is easily one of the top backpacking movies and will leave shivers down your spine when you finish it. (It doesn’t help that it’s one of the only hiking movies on Netflix, meaning almost everyone has seen it.)

Where to Watch : Netflix or Amazon

Wild is inspired by the life of Cheryl Strayed who hiked the 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone in the 1990s. Cheryl’s book Wild, and then later the movie by the same name, have contributed to the explosive popularity of the Pacific Crest Trail.

What I love about Wild is that it’s not just a backpacking movie. This is a movie about overcoming personal challenges to accomplish more than you thought you were capable of. It’s about facing your demons – most notably your past – head on. Sometimes the best way to heal is to pack our pain into our backpack, through it on our shoulders and walk until things make sense. I don’t know whether it’s the amazing hike or the relatable heroine, but Wild has easily become one of the most well known trail movies ever made.

But whatever it is, Wild is one of my personal favourite hiking movies, so I strongly recommend it.

Where to Watch : Amazon

To be honest, Wildlike was nothing like what I thought it would be, but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless. In Wildlike , a 14 year old girl named MacKenzie is sent to live with her uncle in rural Alaska, following the death of her father and the hospitalization of her mother. Her uncle proceeds to sexually abuse her and MacKenzie runs away. She meets an older widowed backpacker and embarks on a journey through Alaska.

The contrast in this movie is striking: teen angst with Denali National Park as a backdrop. And with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%, this would easily be one of the top hiking films.

This movie is based on another true story: in 1941, four men flee communist Russia after imprisonment in a Siberian gulag. In search of freedom, the men trek 4,000 miles across desert and mountains to reach India.

Where to Watch : YouTube (Rent) or Google Play (Rent)

Based on a true story, A Walk in the Woods tells of Bill Bryson (my favourite travel writer) and his experience on the Appalachian Trail. But this hiking movie is nothing like Wild – the farthest thing from it. I read the book, A Walk in the Woods , and loved it as Bill is a hilarious writer and both he and his companion make for an entertaining journey (hint: neither of them is good at hiking).

Bill Bryson’s humour doesn’t translate as well on the big screen, so the movie isn’t nearly as good as the book in my opinion. That said, unlike the movies above, this is a lighthearted movie that laughs at the challenges all of us face when getting outside for the first time. So for that reason, I’m keeping A Walk in the Woods on my list of best hiking movies.

Tracks is an incredible adventure movie and unlike most of the other outdoor films on this list. Based on a true story, Tracks brings us into Robyn Davidson’s incredible journey in the Australian outback – a journey that covered more than 1,700 miles over 9 months. But don’t worry, she has company – four camels and a dog to be exact.

As is the case with Wild , Tracks emphasizes the emotional and spiritual development of its heroine. Robyn is forced to overcome some brutal conditions – sand storms and snakes are the least of them. But it has a really uplifting energy, making it one of the best backpacking movies. You know what, I think Tracks is one of my favourite trail movies that doesn’t actually have a trail to follow. Hiking 2,000 miles on a beaten path is very different than forging your own.

Here is another hiking movie not set in the US. The Way is about the Camino de Santiago, one of the most popular backpacking trails in Europe. Technically it’s the site of a Christian pilgrimage, as the ending point is supposedly where saints are buried. However many non-Christians do the hike as well, simply to take in the beauty and rich history.

In The Way, we follow a father who travels to the Camino to recover the body of his estranged son, who died on the trail. The father, who never understood why his son couldn’t just live a conventional life, takes up the pilgrimage himself. While the film doesn’t have the same calibre of filming and dramatic landscape scenes as many of the backpacking movies above, it offers a wider breadth of emotion.

Southbounders

Southbounders is similar to Wild in that it chronicles a young woman solo hiking over a thousand miles to overcome her inner struggles. I’d consider Southbounders to be… less dramatic than Wild, both in substance and in scenery. The protagonist is Olivia, a medical student struggling to balance everyday life in medical school. She sets off to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, a trail of about 2,190 miles. During this adventure she

You won’t get the same panoramic views as you did with Wild, nor will you get the drug abuse / death of a parent / woman at rock bottom hiking her way out of oblivion. That said, Southbounders is probably way more relatable for the majority of us.

Southbounders 10th Anniversary Edition Trailer from Ben Wagner on Vimeo .

Best Backpacking Documentaries

Here are the Best Backpacking Documentaries . All of them take place in the US, so if you’re aware of any backpacking documentaries that take place outside the US, please let me know! I’d like to geographically diversify this list.

Mile… Mile and a Half was one of the first adventure documentaries on Netflix (at least in Canada) and my first introduction to the John Muir Trail (which now sits at the top of my bucket list). In this film, a group of creatives hike the 210-mile length of the John Muir Trail.

This is an amazing backpacking documentary simply for the footage alone. Fun fact: The film was funded through a Kickstarter campaign! Filmed by the hikers themselves, the California scenery is striking – the mountains, the valleys, the rivers – and the adventures had along the way are entertaining too.

One caveat I will call out is that this isn’t among the particularly thrilling adventure documentaries. It’s beautiful and nice to watch, but I wouldn’t exactly call it exciting.

If you’re considering hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, this will be one of the most helpful hiking documentaries you watch. In Do More With Less, the filmmakers interview over 100 thru-hikers on the 2,660 mile trail that connect the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders.

The hikers discuss the trail and its wonders (and challenges), and what it takes to be off the grid and live a life of adventure.

Where to Watch : Do More With Less (Free)

Do More With Less | A Conversation About The Pacific Crest Trail from Do More With Less on Vimeo .

Only The Essential

Only the Essential is a backpacking documentary that was filmed by two friends as they hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. What I like about this documentary is that it was entirely filmed by the people actually hiking the trail… and it’s incredibly impressive visually. It’s free to watch on Youtube and I’ve embedded the full video below!

Tell it on the Mountain

Tell it on the Mountain chronicles five hikers as they complete the full length of the Pacific Crest Trail, a journey that lasts from April to October and takes them from the US-Mexico border to the US-Canada borders. The film has some beautiful cinematography of the varying landscapes of the PCT – from desert to forest to mountain – and shows an honest account of the triumphs and tribulations that come with hiking so many miles for so many days.

This is a documentary about hiking the Appalachian Trail. I’ve included it in the list to try to balance out how many trail movies I’ve included about the Pacific Crest Trail, but I haven’t actually seen this one yet. It looks like it’s tricky to find online. Man, I’m really selling it, aren’t I? The film gets great reviews for beautiful scenery and an entertaining narrator.

Where to Watch : Theat Movie (Rent)

Best Outdoor Movies

The Best Outdoor Movies category is for any outdoor movies that aren’t specifically about hiking / backpacking, and thus left out of the Best Hiking Movies category. Here you’ll find stories of mountain climbers, surfers, bikers and paddlers. I’ve included a mix of documentary-style movies and Hollywood-style movies.

If you’ve read my list of the best outdoor adventure books , you’ll already know that Touching the Void is my favourite outdoor book. This outdoor movie is a serious cliffhanger (pun intended). Touching the Void tells the story of Joe Simpson and his climbing partner who attempt a first ascent of a mountain face in the Southern Andes. Running low on fuel and with a storm on the horizon, the two climbers attempt a speedy descent down the mountain. But then Joe breaks his leg, gets lost in a depths of a crevasse and his partner is forced to leave him.

This movie will have you going “This is the end. No way he survives this.” But then you remember that Joe wrote the book, so he obviously survived. But HOW does he survive? Now that’s a story.

While it may not be one of the best outdoor movies in terms of cinematography, I think it’s easily one of the best in terms of story.

Where to Watch : Amazon Prime Video (Only in the US)

Do you subscribe to my weekly outdoor education email? If you do, you’ll know I am constantly referencing 127 Hours , as I regularly remind my readers to always leave a route card for their trips so they can avoid running into an experience like that of Aron Ralston.

Based on a true story, 127 Hours is the story of how Aron Ralston finds himself trapped in a canyon in the middle of Utah. With no food, no water and an arm pinned by a rock, Aron survives 127 hours before he is found (more or less of him, that is). One of the best outdoor movies for the lesson it embarks (and the frequent “oh my god I can’t believe this is real” disbelief): always leave a note with where you’re going and when you’ll be back!

Where to Watch : Disney+ or Amazon

I’ve tried hard to keep this list free of Hollywood blockbuster-type movies, but I felt I had to include Revenant . This movie takes place in the 1820s follows a trapping party, guided by Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), through the territory of present-day North & South Dakota. The trapping party is attacked by Arikana (a Native American tribe); many die and a few escape by boat. Here’s where things get interesting. Leo’s character is mauled by a bear and is badly injured, sparking debate among the group about whether they should mercy kill him. Ultimately he is left for dead. But Leo doesn’t give up that easily. From here the film follows Leo’s brutal self-rescue.

One of the reasons I’m including it on the list is that Revenant has gotten some surprisingly positive reviews about its portrayal of Native Americans – something of which Hollywood has always done a terribly racist job. It’s not a Native story, of course, and there is some controversy about the portrayal. That said, I think it’s worth watching.

Final Hollywood movie I promise. I actually haven’t seen Deliverance and I have no plans to. I already get anxious hiking / paddling alone – I don’t need the story of a canoe group getting attacked in my subconscious. But if you like both thrillers and outdoor movies, this is right up your alley.

In Deliverance, four friends set out to paddle the Cahulawassee River in Georgia, before it gets dammed. The trip starts well but soon takes a turn for the worse – due to a set of unforgiving rapids and some… unfriendly locals.

And that’s all the summary I’m going to offer. If someone would like to watch the movie and let me know if it’s actually that scary, I would appreciate it. Maybe I’m blowing this out of proportion….

This is easily one of my favourite adventure documentaries on Netflix. In 180 South , Jeff Johnson follows in the footsteps of his heroes Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, and Doug Thompson and retraces their journey to Patagonia, South America. There are a few mishaps along the way (say, getting shipwrecked on Easter Island) and some unexpected encounters (“‘Sup Yvon?”).

In addition to being a great story, 180 Degree South has incredible cinematography and an amazing soundtrack (I’m actually listening to the soundtrack on Spotify as I write this).

You know I’ll try any outdoor movie with the word “north” in the title, and this one was no exception. In North of the Sun, two friends stay nine months in a remote cabin in Norway surfing the chilly, arctic waters. They build the cabin from driftwood and other washed-up materials, which in and of itself is impressive.

While they have virtually no possessions, they do have their surfboards – and the little nook in the high arctic has secretly incredible waves. I don’t like surfing movies all that much, but I do think this one was impressively shot and was an interesting alternative to the usual mountainous thru-hiking movies I watch.

Where to Watch : North of the Sun (Rent)

Despite the controversy, of course, I was going to put Free Solo on this list – I believe this is the only adventure documentary on the list to have an Oscar win. Free Solo follows Alex Honnold as he prepares to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park – a 3,000 ft sheer granite cliff – without the use of ropes.

The controversy comes around Alex’s degree of risk-taking. Some of his sponsors dropped him ahead of the climb, as they deemed it an example of reckless and unnecessary risk-taking. I don’t disagree. I also think Alex Honnold is a bit of a narcissist, but I think that’s part of the reason he’s achieved what he has.

Almost equally as impressive as Alex’s climb is the filming of the movie. Filmed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, the shots are absolutely stunning (and nerve-racking). Seriously, if you’re afraid of heights I don’t recommend watching Free Solo – even if it is one of the best outdoor documentaries – it’ll make you sick.

This adventure documentary is super different than the others on my list, but I feel the need to include it for two reasons: 1. It’s amazing to watch, and 2. This is one of the few documentaries that feature a woman-dominated cast. Pretty Faces is a stunning compilation of professional skiers and snowboarders tackling the most insane mountains. It’s beautifully shot – one of the most beautiful skiing films ever produced, though admittedly I haven’t watched that many skiing movies.

Where to Watch : Vimeo

This is a super cool adventure documentary about whitewater paddlers in New Zealand. They talk about the rivers of New Zealand, whitewater paddling, risk-taking, the river lifestyle and more. An independently produced firm, this one doesn’t have the cinematic quality of the other documentaries on this list – but considering they aren’t professional filmmakers, I was really impressed with the quality.

RIVERING from RIVERING on Vimeo .

Bill Mason is the father of modern canoeing; a canoeing god, you might say. During his life he paddled more of Canada than just about anyone else, producing art, books and films about the land. A naturalist by training, Bill Mason takes us through the beautiful province of Ontario in Waterwalker . He talks about the land, its history, our relationship with it. He also has a really soothing voice; even when he tipped his canoe in huge swells in Lake Superior, I felt calm.

I may take a moment to get used to the film quality and format – this was produced in 1984 – but push through it. You will not regret it!

Where to Watch : Youtube

What’s your favourite Hiking Movie?

I hope you’ve found this post helpful and know what backpacking movies on Netflix to watch this evening. If I could make a quick recommendation, it would be either Tracks or 180 Degrees South – those are less popular than some of the classics, but still very good movies.

Did I leave your favourite outdoor movie off the list? Let me know in the comments and I’ll put aside some time to watch it and update the list.

Mikaela | Voyageur Tripper

Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.

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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 beautiful hiking movie is a must-watch for anyone who has dreamed of taking a few weeks to go backpacking in nature.

Watch for free on Amazon

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. 

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.

Watch with Amazon Prime

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. 

Watch it on Amazon

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.

Watch for free on Youtube

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

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.

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.

Rent it on Amazon

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

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.

Watch for free on Vimeo

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.

Watch free on Pluto TV

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?

Watch free  on Pluto TV

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.

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14 Best Hiking Movies & Documentaries to Watch Right Now

Even the most outdoorsy among us enjoy a good movie night.

But with millions of different titles available, deciding what to watch often feels impossible.

Luckily, the best hiking movies and documentaries allow us to experience an adventure from the comfort of our couches.

These films cover every genre, from awe-inspiring to feel-good, cautionary tale to heart-pounding thriller.

Many of them will inspire audiences to get out and explore new trails all over the world, like Canada’s Great Divide Trail or Spain’s Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Who said hiking was just a walk in the woods?

(Though that’s on this list, too.)

If you love trail life and the great outdoors, here are the best hiking movies and documentaries you’ll want to watch right now.

Hiking Movies

These hiking movies are about all the fun, fascinating, and even frightening things that keep us coming back to the great outdoors time and again.

Most are based on true stories of survival and strength in the wilderness, and all are sure to spark some wanderlust.

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

“A Walk in the Woods” is based on Bill Bryson’s chronicles of the Appalachian Trail, which Bryson attempted to thru-hike with a friend in 1996.

This dramedy is a tale of friendship, resilience, and ridiculousness and shows how hikers can often be their own worst enemies.

Starring : Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson Director : Ken Kwapis Runtime : 1h 44m

Wild (2014)

Reese Witherspoon stars in this adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling 2012 memoir about her Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike attempt.

The film delves into heavy themes of personal growth and life-altering grief, so viewers may need a few tissues for this one.

Starring : Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann Director : Jean-Marc Vallée Runtime : 1h 55m

The Way (2010)

Set in France and Spain, “The Way” follows a father who decides to hike the Camino de Santiago after his son’s untimely death on the trail.

This is another tearjerker, but it shows how healing is much like thru-hiking — you start by putting one foot in front of the other.

Starring : Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger Director : Emilio Estevez Runtime : 2h 3m

Tracks (2013)

Based on Robyn Davidson’s memoir, “Tracks” recounts one woman’s attempt to walk across Australia with her dog and four camels for company.

Besides showcasing some gorgeous Aussie scenery, the film shares the sense of catharsis gained on a long, seemingly impossible trek.

Starring : Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Lily Pearl Director : John Curran Runtime : 1h 52m

Everest (2015)

Though Mount Everest expeditions remain as popular as ever , this movie is a stark reminder of the mountain’s power — and the perils of underestimating it.

“Everest” is based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, in which several professional mountaineers and guides perished.

Starring : Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa, Thomas M. Wright Director : Baltasar Kormákur Runtime : 2h 1m

127 Hours (2010)

Aron Ralston, who cut off his arm in 2003 to escape from a rockfall, has been immortalized in Hollywood — and in lectures to solo hikers.

“127 Hours” covers the events before and after Ralston’s self-amputation, a friendly-ish reminder to always share your hiking plans.

Starring : James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara Director : Danny Boyle Runtime : 1h 34m

Edie (2017)

“Edie” reminds audiences that it’s never too late to go on a grand adventure.

The titular character, a spirited 80-something woman, is facing the possibility of being moved into a retirement home.

Instead, she decides to embark on a trek through the Scottish Highlands.

Starring : Sheila Hancock, Kevin Guthrie, Paul Brannigan Director : Simon Hunter Runtime : 1h 42m

Hiking Documentaries

As moving as fictionalized films often are, for some, there’s nothing like a documentary.

These docs share true stories starring real-life adventurers who pushed themselves to do the impossible, test the limits of human power, and simply get out and go.

Touching the Void (2003)

This documentary accounts the first ascent—and nearly fatal descent—of the west face of Siula Grande, a 20,814-foot-tall peak deep in the Peruvian Andes.

Though nail-biter, “Touching the Void” shows why hikers can and will continue to push the envelope.

Starring : Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Makey Director : Kevin Macdonald Runtime : 1h 46m

Do More With Less

If you want a peek at all 2,650-plus miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, “Do More With Less” is the movie for you.

The concept behind this doc is simple: the filmmakers set out to record a series of conversations with PCT thru-hikers and shared the results with the world.

Starring : Travis Barron, Eric Timmerman Director : Travis Barron, Eric Timmerman Runtime : 1h 26m

14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible

“14 Peaks” follows Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja on his quest to summit all 14 eight-thousander peaks in under seven months.

The film was received positively at the time of its 2021 premiere, though Purja has since faced a series of sexual harassment allegations .

Starring : Nirmal Purja, Suchi Purja, Klára Kolouchová Director : Torquil Jones Runtime : 1h 41m

Out There (2023)

If you thought the Continental Divide Trail ended at the Canadian border, think again.

“Out There” focuses on a thru-hiking couple tackling the 1,123-km Great Divide Trail, which traverses the rugged Canadian Rockies.

You can watch the movie for free on YouTube.

Starring : Ryan Brown, Ilse Brown Director : Ryan Brown Runtime : 1h 19m

Tell it on the Mountain

Another documentary that may make you want to hike the PCT, “Tell It on the Mountain” is centered on a small group of PCT hikers facing some of the trek’s most challenging terrain.

Along the way, they have to find the will to keep going when the going gets tough.

Starring : Scott Williamson, Billygoat, Alina Budia Director : Lisa Diener Runtime : 2h 2m

Mile… Mile & a Half

Hiking the 211-mile-long John Muir Trail, which runs through California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, is one thing — hiking it during a heavy snow year is another.

But five friends set out to do just that in “Mile… Mile & a Half,” encountering plenty of obstacles as they go.

Starring : Jason Fitzpatrick, Ric Serena, Jen Serena Director : Jason Fitzpatrick, Ric Serena Runtime : 1h 28m

Why do I hike

At just 23 minutes long, this movie is a quick watch that covers all the bliss and despair, trials and tribulations, and just plain fun that is hiking.

If “Why do I hike” leaves you wanting more, Croatian filmmaker Nikola Horvat released a 1.5-hour-long follow-up in 2023.

Starring : Nikola Horvat Director : Nikola Horvat Runtime : 23m

Which Hiking Movie or Documentary is Call Your Name?

Whether they make you shed a few tears or remind you of the sheer joy of the wilderness, these 14 films will keep you entertained for hours on end.

By the time the credits roll, you might just be ready to tackle a monumental adventure of your own.

Most of these movies can be watched on various streaming services, though you might need to — gasp — purchase a DVD to watch some of the others.

You could find your new favorite movie as a result, though, so consider it an investment.

No more scrolling through Netflix for hours, trying to find something worthwhile to watch.

Next time you’re planning a movie night, check out one of the best hiking movies and documentaries and break out the popcorn.

Happy viewing and happy trails!

Last Updated on July 2, 2024

Cu Fleshman

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4 Travel Documentaries That Inspire Backpacking Exploration

Throughout my 4-year journey to every African country I've been filming to produce:

• A TV series that shows  The Unseen Africa . 
• A film documentary.
• Video stock footage.

Regarding #2, I have absolutely no idea how I plan to condense four years of travel into a 90-minute documentary. No clue. I'll worry about that in 2017. In the meantime, I'll just keep filming. 

Freddie Trimble, who is works with the Sheffield documentary festival in the UK, wanted to share his four favorite travel documentaries. I've only see the first one, but the rest look promising. Check them out.

Guest post by Freddie Trimble and Caroline Schupfer

A travel documentary film gives you an concentrated insight into different cultures and traditions, information on attractions or travel in general, and a greater awareness of different people and their lifestyles. Travel documentaries give you a better understanding of the world, and of the people you share it with, all without trying to sell you some overpriced travel package deal or recommending any commercial tour operators.

As one of the most valuable, yet much underrated and underexposed educational device, travel documentaries supplement your awareness as a human being a little bit at a time. They are filled with real life stories and show you true beauty; triggering your inner wanderlust, appealing to your senses and your true human instincts of wanting to get out there and explore.

Here are some of the best examples of documentaries that will inspire you to backpack to places worth exploring:

Ron Fricke’s visual documentary Samsara is definitely out of the ordinary. With his precise and captivating shots we were whisked around the world, experiencing all walks of life; effectively contrasting the overwhelming beauty of the natural world, along with what we see as manufactured destruction.

We were left guessing about where many of the places were due to the absence of a narrator, although it was exciting to recognise a few places that we have been ourselves. One example being the aftermath of a volcanic eruption in Cappadocia, Turkey.

This visual delight will certainly force you to take a step back, and give you a clearer perspective of the brutal diversity of our planet.

Sahara with Michael Palin

In his four-part travelogue, Palin travels around Northern and Western Africa, exploring the largest desert in the world.

In the first part, ‘A Line in the Sand’, he develops his taste for Africa in Morocco, a country that delights the all the senses.

Although it’s probably not sensible to visit everywhere, if you do have a desire to explore the desert, we recommend heading to Merzouga.

From there you can truly experience the majestic beauty of the Sahara desert; dune surfing, glimpses of the Algerian border and even stay overnight at a Berber village. 

Welcome to India 2012

Fighting for a living in a life with few opportunities and running away from the mechanic sharks tearing down their very few belongings; BBC’s ‘Welcome to India’ shows us the daily ordeals of India’s people.

Despite this, their resourcefulness and fanaticism is not only admirable but also puts a smile on your face. We’re convinced we could discover a great deal from meeting such people; they’re an inspiration.

In the first of the three part documentary, an impartial voice is given to ‘Kaale’, an ambitious gold sweeper, along with Rajesh and his wife ‘Sevita’; their somewhat unconventional love marriage destined them to an uncertain life on a flyblown beach.

India is definitely an affordable choice for any budget backpacker looking to broaden their horizons. You can expect your daily budget to be in the region of $10-15 per day, accommodation included.

Human Planet

“Only one creature has carved a life for itself on every habitat on earth.”

These are just few of many inspirational documentaries out there that will inspire you to grab your backpack, and become immersed into similar experiences that you see in the films.

About Freddie Trimble and Caroline Schupfer: We’re students that are excited to travel/backpack around the world; we have set up a website that brings together a collection of travel documentaries:  http://traveldocumentaryfilms.com  

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Same But Different: A Documentary About Backpacking | How To Travel Alone

by Riyan H. | Jan 21, 2023 | Travel , Videos

This documentary explores what backpacking is. Toine Haverkamp went on a nine-month search through well and lesser-known backpack spots in Asia. He wanted to show the world how traveling alone feels and looks like. It gives you a glimpse into the backpack scene. The documentary shows backpacking from the perspective of a traveler who has never been outside his own continent. During his trip, he sees and finds other backpackers who him different aspects of the lifestyle. Watch the documentary to hear real stories and see images you haven’t seen before.

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29 Travel Documentaries and Films For Those Who Love to Explore

While some watch shows on Netflix , Amazon Prime Video , or Disney+ for entertainment to pass the time, others indulge in content that makes you feel alive. Travel documentaries and films do just that.

Instead of an aimless blend of trivial drama, those who look to feel, imagine, and experience will look for travel films and travel documentaries displaying the best of human experience. This doesn't always mean happily-ever-after, either. They include barely-believable stories that capture tales of courage, despair, and overcoming adversity. Incredibly, though, most of these are based on actual events, bringing another layer of realism to the pieces.

Travelling the world, pushing the limits on human endurance, and catching the very best of what this world offers all in one programme can be difficult. Yet on the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney, and more, a lot tick all those boxes, bringing a level of immersion to what you're watching. This list covers anything from comedy documentaries to darker emotional journeys, mirroring how each person's entertainment and adventure are unique. With many gaining popularity through the famous Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes film festivals, as well as going on to win big at the Oscars, it shows that travel has a place in the heart of millions of people.

If you love to travel and have a thirst for experiencing more in life, then the following travel documentaries and films follow a select group of people doing precisely that. We will keep updating this list with suggestions, so if you've seen any incredible travel documentaries or films, let us know.

Wild (2014)

• Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Movieclips Trailers
• Current streaming platforms: Not currently streaming (previously Netflix)
• Focus: Trekking, backpacking, solo travel, self-discovery
• Overview: Wild, based on a true story, follows the character of Cheryl Strayed, whose past experiences and traumas had driven her to seek new adventures in the world. It's a healing solo journey of over 1000 miles across the Pacific Crest Trail against all odds.

Nomadland (2021)

• Credit: Searchlight Pictures
• Current streaming platforms: Disney+, Virgin TV Go,
• Focus: Backpacking, rural travel, solo travel, nomad travel
• Overview: Nomads live outside of conventional society and travel from place to place without any fixed abode. This life of freedom has become more popular, and Nomadland (based on a true story) follows those who live it, with real-life Nomads featured throughout this adventure in the American West.

Mountain (2017)

• Type: Documentary Film
• Credit: Madman Films
• Current streaming platforms: Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Mountain ranges, skiing/snowboarding, hiking/climbing travel
• Overview: This incredible cinematic and musical blend celebrates human's fascination with mountains. These awe-inspiring landscapes have long held a mythical place in culture. Yet, with an increase in accessibility, Mountain explores why millions of us each year love to scale these hazardous areas.

Magnetic (2018)

• Type: Documentary
• Credit: NDG Cinema
• Current streaming platforms: Not currently streaming (occasionally on Netflix)
• Focus: Extreme sports, adrenaline, Mother Nature
• Overview: Magnetic is a travel documentary that takes you to the edge of adrenaline, documenting thrill-seekers at the height of their profession. Big wave surfers, wing-suit divers, mountain bikers and more feature as they take on nature head first.

Tracks (2013)

• Credit: See Saw Films, Movieclips Trailers
• Current streaming platforms: Plex
• Focus: Solo travel, trekking, travel with animals, self-discovery
• Overview: Tracks is, unbelievably, based on a true story about a woman who embarks on a 1700km trek across the deserts of West Australia with her dog and four camels. It's a life-changing journey of determination, solo adventure, and overcoming adversity to experience more about life.

Into the Wild (2007)

• Credit: Paramount, River Road Entertainment, Movieclips Classic Trailers
• Current streaming platforms: Netflix, Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Solo travel, nomad travel, self-discovery
• Overview: This true story explores the story of Christopher McCandless, a student-athlete who had every possession available to him and left it all behind to find himself. He disappears from society to explore all of North America, going on a journey that takes him through everything in life.

Dark Tourist (2018)

• Type: Documentary Series
• Credit: Netflix
• Current streaming platforms: Netflix
• Focus: Dark tourism
• Overview: Led by David Farrier (who has long had comparisons with Louis Theroux), Dark Tourist documents a new look into some of the world's darkest tourist attractions and what attracts people to them. His explorative journey takes him from haunted experiences in America to the reclusive nation of Turkmenistan.

Jungle (2017)

• Credit: Umbrella Entertainment
• Current streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Virgin TV Go, Pluto TV,
• Focus: Wilderness, Against all odds
• Overview: Daniel Radcliffe plays Yossi Ghinsberg in an adaption of the real-life survival thriller. Yossi went to explore one of the last untouched areas of the world, the Bolivian Rainforest, on a journey of exploration. The trip would be scarcely believable if it wasn't a true story, where Yossi is pushed to the very edge of survival.

Expedition Happiness (2017)

• Credit: Kinocheck
• Focus: Van travel, couple travel, pet travel, North America travel
• Overview: Expedition Happiness follows a German couple (Mowgli and Felix) and their dog Rudi. They renovate an old school bus and use it to explore North America and what there is in life, too.

The Way Way Back (2013)

• Current streaming platforms:  Disney+
• Focus: Comedy, first summer job, first-time travel, self-discovery, America travel
• Overview: The Way Way Back is typical American humour, exploring a teenager's self-development journey through getting away from home and finding a place where he feels he fits. For those going to summer camp , this travel film gives off proper American summer vibes.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

• Credit: Tobis Films, Roadside Attractions, Armoury Films, Endeavor Content, Kinocheck.com
• Current streaming platforms:  Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Friends travel, America travel, self-discovery
• Overview: The Peanut Butter Falcon explores the journey of Zak, a man with Down syndrome who wants to travel across America to become a wrestler. He meets Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), and it follows their adventure and their friendship across the country.

Captain Fantastic (2016)

• Credit: Bleeker Street
• Current streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video, BBC iplayer, Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Family travel
• Overview: Captain Fantastic focuses on a family that has lived out in nature for over a decade but is forced by circumstance to rejoin modern society against their true wishes. It focuses on both the physical and metaphorical adventure they have to go on to do so.

Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father (2017)

• Type: Comedy Documentary Series
• Focus: Comedy travel
• Overview: Jack Whitehall travels around the world, completing a gap year he previously cut short. In this travel documentary series, he takes his father with him to see the world whilst building the bond between them as a result. 

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)

• Credit: CNN
• Current streaming platforms: Freevee Amazon Channel, Pluto TV
• Focus: Food & travel, solo travel
• Overview: The world-renowned chef, Anthony Bourdain, travels around the world, sampling the food and cultures of every place he visits. He became as famous for his travels as he was for his food, and this is a look back on what his life represents.

Don’t Crack Under Pressure (1, 2 and 3) - (2015 - 2019)

• Type: Documentary Films
• Overview: This is the first in a series of films which takes a fascinating look at adrenaline junkies pushing themselves to the limit before nature pushes back. This includes high altitude skiing, surfing and other death-defying activities, exploring what it means to feel alive.

Addicted to Life (2014)

• Focus: Extreme sports, adrenaline travel, activity travel
• Overview: Addicted to Life focuses on men and women who consistently push the limits out in the wild. In areas naturally threatening environments, such as rugged ski slopes, towering waves, and sheer cliff faces, Addicted to Life looks to find the pleasure in the madness of adrenaline.

Unstoppable (2019)

• Credit: Entertainment Studios
• Focus: surfing, overcoming challenges, 
• Overview: Unstoppable is the true story of Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack. Miraculously, she was out competing no more than 4 weeks later, and Unstoppable explores her incredible willpower to push the boundaries and then inspire others.

Resurface (2017)

• Focus: surfing, overcoming challenges, recovery
• Overview: Resurface promotes the story of how surfing is medicine for military veterans with physical and mental injuries. Their love of the ocean and surfing provides an opportunity to re-piece their lives as they choose to.

Solo (2018)

• Credit: Filmax, Mihamar Media, Fargo Entertainment, Trailers y Estrenos
• Focus: surfing, overcoming challenges
• Overview: Following the real story of Alvaro Vizcaino, who fell off a cliff and seriously injured himself, Solo shows the incredible nature of the human spirit in the face of the power of nature, especially that of the ocean. 

The Climb (2017)

• Credit: Mars Films, Unifrance
• Current streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Climbing, Everest
• Overview: The Climb centres on a regular guy from France who is planning to scale the Himalayas, proving his love for his partner. This story of love captures the country, and the adventure is a message of hope and belief that everyone can create their own path, no matter how difficult.

The Dawn Wall (2018)

• Credit: Red Bull Media House, Sender Films
• Focus: climbing, El Capitan, self-discovery, America travel
• Overview: The Dawn Wall follows the well-known story of Tommy Caldwell, who planned to complete a free ascent of Dawn Wall, one of the last unclimbed sections of the El Capitan mountain. It documents his wild journey from childhood through to his incredible climbing adventures. 

Free Solo (2018)

• Credit: National Geographic
• Current streaming platforms: Disney Plus, Virgin TV Go
• Overview: 2018 was clearly the year of climbing, with arguably climbing's most famous documentary focusing on Alex Honnold, who aimed to free climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. This death-defying attempt to scale it with no safety equipment is 'watch through your fingers' stuff.

Chasing Coral (2017)

• Type: Documentary 
• Focus: Ocean, scuba diving, marine conservation
• Overview: For anyone who has scuba dived, the world beneath the surface is an incredible sight. But it's more than just a pretty picture. It plays a vital part in the world's ecosystem, and it's being destroyed through global warming. Chasing Coral explores a band of ocean protectors who are doing everything to highlight its plight. 

Sanctum (2011)

• Credit: Universal Pictures
• Focus: Cave diving, exploration, oceans,
• Overview: Sanctum takes you under water and the world that exists below. Exploring everything from the oceans to caves is an incredible yet dangerous experience, and Sanctum observes why some people are so captivated by it.

14 Peaks (2021)

• Focus: Climbing, Hiking, Mountaineering
• Overview: There are 14 8000m+ peaks worldwide, and to summit all of them has long been considered an impossibility due to a mixture of conditions, fitness, and political factors. Nepalese mountaineer Nimsdai Purja aimed to do them within 7 months, and 14 Peaks is an incredible travel documentary that follows that journey. 

The Beach (2000)

• Type: Film 
• Credit: 20th Century Studios
• Current streaming platforms: Disney+, Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Exploration, backpacking, change in life
• Overview: The Beach is widely considered to be one of the most famous Hollywood travel films, led by lead man Leonardo Di Caprio. Seeking paradise, he embarks on a journey to find it, which takes him to South East Asia. The film's impact led to the actual beach in Thailand becoming one of the region's most popular tourist spots. 

Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

• Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment
• Current streaming platforms: Netflix, Sky, Now TV, Virgin TV Go
• Focus: Exploration, change in life, true story
• Overview: Julia Roberts goes on a journey to travel the world, discovering what is out there and more about herself. After coming to a crossroads after a divorce, she leaves her job and her comfort zone to do her own thing, finding there's a lot more to life when she does.

The Secret Life of Walty Mitty (2013)

• Credit: 20th Century Fox
• Focus: Exploration, change in life,
• Overview: Ben Stiller leads the way in this film about a dreamer in life who is lost in his current role at work. He trades it in to explore the world, and this film follows that adventure and how he develops as a result.

The Bucket List (2007)

• Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
• Current streaming platforms: Not currently streaming
• Focus: Bucket list travel
• Overview: With an all-star duo of Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, The Bucket List depicts the story of two guys who, through unfortunate circumstances, meet and decide to experience as much of the world as possible.

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The Dark Tourist – Travel Documentary Series Review

One lazy Saturday morning, I was scrolling through the Netflix menu, searching for travel documentaries, when I stumbled upon The Dark Tourist. An eight-episode long documentary series covering various destinations promoting Dark tourism around the world.

Table of Contents

What is Dark Tourism?

Honestly, I had never heard of Dark tourism until now. I knew something called Disaster Tourism, where you visit places struck by a man-made or environmental disaster. The best example is Chernobyl and Fukushima. However, Dark Tourism is a new world in travel and tourism. It includes places associated with a disaster, death and any form of tragedy (murders, assassinations, sacrificial rituals, etc.).

About the show

Journalist David Farrier hails from New Zealand, leads the show in his undeniably charming way. He encounters many infamous people in his journey, from Escobar’s favourite hitman to Boogieman’s best friend. Through these eight episodes, Farrier shows us a different side of tourism like Disaster tourism, Slum tourism and War tourism.

Like in the first episode of The Dark Tourist, Farrier heads to Medellin Columbia to investigate the past life of the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar. The tour includes a visit to Escobar’s grave, his former residence and his prison at the hilltop, where he meets his former hitman Popeye.

In one of the episodes, he heads to Japan for some bone-chilling experiences. From visiting the world’s most suicidal spot to a Tsunami inundated area to a radioactive zone, giving us a glimpse of Nuclear Tourism. And in another episode, he visits Paddock Wood to attend the Dark tourist festival. A five-day event, where the tourists participate in war re-enactment from both the battlefield and home front.

I found the series captivating and full of surprises. Many places and events shown in the docuseries made me think, what makes such infamous spots so famous amongst the tourists?

On a quick Google search, I came across a book by J. John Lennon and Malcolm Foley on Dark Tourism that eases my curiosity. The author theorizes several reasons why this is booming. One is the desire to understand & connect with history better, and another is a subliminal desire to get closer to death.

I have visited two such spots in India, and the experience was not great mentally. Every nook and corner screamed of pain and agony. However, the experience gave us a better insight into the history and the events.

Here’s a list of a few tours shown in the series.

1. The Real Pablo Escobar Tour , Medellín, Columbia 2. Vampire and Voodoo Tour , New Orleans, US 3. Fukushima Disaster Area Tour , Japan 4. JFK Assassination Tour, Dallas , US 5. McKamey Manor , Tennessee, US 6. Helter Skelter Tour, California , US 7. Voodo Festival , Benin 8. Cleaning the dead ceremony , Taroja, Indonesia

Let me know your thoughts on Dark Tourism and The Dark Tourist series.

Meenakshi is a designer by profession and traveller by heart. Photography is something that she cherishes and goes on a Click! Click! Click! spree wherever she goes.

Your Twitter Share Button is not working. Kindly check and do the needful.

-Rajkumar R

I’ll look into it, thanks a lot 😀

Dark Tourism is a new term for me. I read out the whole topic and learn so many unknown issue through this writing. This amazing writing and thanks for sharing these information with all of us.

glad you liked it 🙂 I was so surprised to learn about the level of popularity around dark tourism. The show was really an eye opener. 😯

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Slow train to Samarkand: A four-month backpacking trip through Central Asia

UZBEKISTAN – While the high-speed Afrosiyob train is the quickest way through the present-day Silk Road of Uzbekistan, the slow Sharq train is a cultural experience, scant in comfort yet rich in Uzbek hospitality.

Aboard the Sharq, there are women in breezy floral dresses and people who walk the length of the train selling dried fish bigger than their faces, cheap jewellery, and bags of tomatoes and cucumbers.

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Disappointing photos show what it's really like to backpack across Europe

• I spent two weeks backpacking through Europe for the first time in October 2022.
• I found that it wasn't the glamorous, romantic adventure that it often looks like on Instagram.
• While backpacking, I was disappointed by overnight train rides and crowds of tourists in each city.

With a passion for fashion, traveling with just a backpack never appealed to me before 2022. There were always too many things I wanted to pack.

But since I began traveling more as a travel reporter for Business Insider three years ago, I've realized I needed to lighten my load to make it easier to hit the road for longer periods of time.

I made the  minimalist travel style a priority in August 2022, when I spent a week backpacking for the first time through Eastern Canada. It turned out to be a lot easier — and more efficient — than I'd originally thought. 

So when I planned a two-week train trip through four European countries two months later, I decided to push myself to fit everything I needed into my backpack again.

Over the course of two weeks, I backpacked across Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland while exploring the cities of Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, and Zürich. It was my first time visiting each country and backpacking in Europe . 

As part of my travels, I slept in shared train cabins and budget Airbnbs , and initially, I felt like I was living the life of young adults on a gap year, or post-college students on a big adventure.

But I quickly realized it wasn't as glamorous as I expected it to be based on stories I'd heard from other people, or more commonly, pictures I saw on social media.

On Instagram, I've often seen epic photos of an empty nature scene save for the backpackers with a caption about life being an adventure.

But after backpacking Europe myself, I found that the travel style was full of hardships I rarely see posts about. 

First, I found that my biggest backpack couldn't squeeze in all the clothes I wanted to bring.

I picked the largest bag I own — a 32-liter backpack — for my trip to Europe.

I wasn't sure how well this bag would work for a two-week trip, so I practiced packing as lightly as possible to ensure I could fit everything. 

I started with my work gear, which included a laptop, cameras, lenses, and a notebook. Then I packed chargers, toiletries, and snacks before realizing my work gear and other essentials were taking priority over clothes.

I was hoping to bring two packing cubes full of clothing, but I could only fit one in my bag. This cut my proposed wardrobe in half. I ended up only having room for two polos, one T-shirt, one long-sleeve T-shirt, three pairs of pants, a sweater, a blazer, a dress, and two light jackets.

Although I impressed myself by packing lighter than I ever had while still having everything I needed for the longest trip I'd ever taken, I couldn't help but feel disappointed in my limited outfit choices. 

Because I could only bring a few garments, I had to do laundry at nearly every accommodation.

I've never seen a backpacking social media post about doing laundry, but I found myself washing my clothes at nearly every Airbnb I stayed in.

I stayed in each accommodation for just one or two nights, so to ensure my clothes would be dry before checking out, I had to prioritize doing laundry as soon as I checked in.

I brought my own laundry soap and used sinks and bathtubs to wash each garment before hanging them up to dry.

This was a bummer since I often arrived at each accommodation feeling exhausted from travel, and washing my clothes was the last thing I felt like doing. 

Coming home to tiny Airbnbs with wet clothes everywhere stressed me out after a day of exploring.

From a converted wine barrel outside Zürich to an Airstream trailer in Vienna , most of my Airbnbs were tiny homes with less than 100 square feet in size. So even a little bit of clutter made them look messy to me.

I also thought having my clothes hanging to dry made the spaces feel even more chaotic.

Each time I returned to my accommodations, I was greeted with a disheveled space that made me feel stressed out. Since I work hard to keep my apartment looking spotless at home, I wasn't used to living in a cluttered space. I found it hard to relax in these rooms after tiring days of exploring.

I thought a sleeper train would be a smart way to arrive in new cities and maximize my time, but these shared cabins felt cramped and uncomfortable.

I booked two overnight trains during my trip. I thought this would be the best way to travel through Europe so I could explore more during the day.

But the small, uncomfortable spaces I had to travel in for long periods of time made it hard to sleep.

To get from Vienna to Venice, I booked a bunk in a shared cabin on an overnight train run by Nightjet, a rail line that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

Since I booked a shared room with up to five other people, I expected to feel a little cramped, but I anticipated being able to move around the room freely.

However, I found that the 74-square-foot cabin didn't feel like enough space for myself and the other travelers, especially with everyone's luggage. Our cabin only had four people in it, and I thought it would have been even more uncomfortable had it been fully booked with six people.

There was space for bags above the beds, but not enough for everyone. I couldn't do much more than sit in my bunk and quickly became disappointed by my choice to travel in this way.

I was also surprised by the lack of privacy inside the shared bunk cabin on the train.

Before my trip, I imagined that each bunk in the shared cabin on the sleeper train would have a curtain for privacy. However, the beds were completely exposed, so I had to go to the bathroom to change into my pajamas privately.

I also had to wake up another traveler using the top bunk in the middle of the night to use the bathroom since the room's lock was only accessible from their bunk.

After this experience, I don't think I'll ever bunk with strangers on an overnight train again, especially since some Nightjet routes have private cabins.

"Offering our passengers a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for us," a representative for ÖBB Nightjet told BI. "We are constantly working on improvements to our product and also take into account the requirements of our customers."

But I thought my experience was even worse on the other overnight train I took where I booked a regular seat and didn't sleep at all.

On my other overnight train from Berlin to Vienna, I had an even harder time sleeping. I sat in a seating carriage room with six seats facing each other, which is Nightjet's version of standard coach seating.

During my leg of the journey, three travelers were already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within the first few hours. Right away, I thought the room was cramped and lacked enough legroom for each traveler.

The seat appeared slightly wider than a typical train coach seat, with two cushions, and reclined far enough to almost lay flat, but not fully. I reclined mine all the way, but I thought the gap between the seat back and the bottom of the seat made it tough to get comfortable.

When I tried to sleep, I found it impossible with the constant bumps on the ride and so many people around. I ended up staying up until the morning and regretted traveling overnight. 

"The quality of travel depends not only on the carriages, but also on the route," OBB Nightjet wrote in a statement to BI. "We recommend the sleeper or couchette car for night travel. There is enough space to stretch out. Seated carriages are recommended for shorter journeys."

While some influencers might like this type of travel, next time, I'll stick to daytime routes if I can't sleep flat on a bed in a private room. 

I often arrived in each country feeling exhausted from lack of sleep, which made it harder to enjoy my time in each place.

Because I had so much trouble sleeping on both overnight train rides, I often arrived in a new city feeling tired and depleted instead of excited and ready to start exploring.

When I got to Vienna at 7 a.m. after a sleepless night in the seating carriage, I was so exhausted that I looked for any hotel that would take me in so early in the morning. I thought this made the overnight ride ultimately not worth the time saved since I didn't do anything when I arrived other than sleep.

And when I got off the train in Venice, while I had enough energy to explore since I got some sleep in the bunk, I still felt fatigued, and it took away from how much I was able to enjoy that first day.

As a result, my first day in both cities felt disappointing, and that my plan to save time and energy backfired. I couldn't help but think I wasted two days that could have been spent feeling more appreciative of the city surrounding me, had I gotten enough rest. 

In fact, a lot of my trip was more physically draining than I anticipated because carrying my backpack each day made my body sore.

On travel days, I had to carry my backpack for long periods of time. I wore it on the go to catch my train. When I arrived in a new city, I had to keep it on my back until I was able to check into my accommodation. And then I'd repeat the entire process when I checked out before catching a train to my next destination.

I've certainly never seen any Instagram posts about these bags being comfortable. Each day, after wearing my backpack while walking for extended periods, all of my muscles felt incredibly sore.

In these moments, I was surprised to find myself questioning if a backpack really is more convenient than a carry-on suitcase . Sure, a carry-on suitcase is larger and often needs to be wheeled around, but after lugging around my backpack all day, I felt like it could be easier to roll a suitcase around, and it would have been better for my body. Plus, I'd be able to pack more.

Large crowds made having a backpack even harder. I thought traveling in October — the end of shoulder season — would help me avoid this, but I was wrong.

In most photos of backpackers I see on Instagram, it looks like they're completely alone in a dramatic scene, whether it's a scenic landscape or a major tourist attraction.

But I found that even during the shoulder season, which is when I was in Europe, this was never the case. From Rome to Zurich, I trudged through places that were overrun with tourists.

Throughout my trip, I stood on tippy toes to see popular historic sites above rows of heads obscuring my view. I found that even getting just one photo of myself at tourist hot spots, like the Colosseum in Rome , felt nearly impossible. And since I'm 5'3, I found it hard to see these sights over the heads and smartphones of the people around me. 

I also wasn't used to the weight and size of my backpack, which made it challenging to get around. In crowded spaces, I kept forgetting that the backpack made me about a third larger than I typically am. In busy streets and train stations, I found myself bumping into people with my pack before realizing that I needed to reconsider how I was taking up space. 

Next time I plan a trip to Europe, I'll visit in the offseason for fewer crowds.

While it wasn't a picture-perfect adventure, backpacking through Europe made me realize that you can't plan out every second, and maybe that's a good thing.

While there were a handful of hardships, I found that backpacking in Europe was full of good surprises, too.

For example, I initially thought seeing so many new places in a short time would make them blend together in my mind, but each city felt genuinely unique and left me with distinct memories. And without my backpack, I probably wouldn't have been able to travel to as many places in one trip.

I'll never forget how alive Berlin felt with its lush pockets of greenery, dramatic murals, and street performers, or how Vienna's garden mazes and fairy tale architecture made me feel like royalty — even with a turtle shell on my back. 

Ultimately, I thought the good surprises outweighed the bad, so I would definitely backpack in Europe again. But next time, I'll avoid shared accommodations, overnight rides, and the busy season. 

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This Flight Attendant-approved Carry-on Backpack Fits a Week’s Worth of Clothes — and It’s Under $40

Travelers call it a “lifesaver” for everything from weekend getaways to European vacations.

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

Backpacks might be the most underrated travel bags of the luggage world. Think about it: although they don’t roll, the ease of throwing your bag on your back and moving through the airport hands-free is severely understated. And, there are even some options out there — such as carry-on backpacks — that can hold more than a week’s worth of clothes, so you won’t even need to bring a cabin bag.

Travelers have put this Matein backpack through various trials from business trips to extended sojourns across Europe, and they describe it as a “lifesaver,” fitting a mind-boggling amount while still passing as a personal item. Even flight attendants have put it to the test , and it’s racked up over 3,500 five-star ratings on Amazon. Now is the perfect time to buy for your next trip because it’s currently 39 percent off — making it a steal at just $34.

Matein 40-liter Carry-on Backpack

Although this Matein backpack is extra-large and spacious, many people successfully use it as a personal item: it measures 20 inches tall and 13 inches wide, and it can pack out to 8 inches deep. It has so many pockets that one reviewer even reported forgetting items they packed! Among them is a 17-inch laptop sleeve, an exterior pouch for your water bottle, lots of small organizational pockets, a shoe compartment that fits multiple pairs, and a hidden zipper pocket on the back of the bag.

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“Even filled to the brim it is able to fit under the seat of the plane. So I use this as my ‘personal item’ and [am] still able to bring a carry-on item if needed,” said another Amazon reviewer , calling it the “best travel bag ever created.” 

To top it off, Travel + Leisure editors agree it’s a gem: the Matein backpack was named the best value carry-on backpack of 2024 after six months of rigorous testing both at our New York City lab and out in the real world on various trips. 

It’s not just travelers who love this bag; so do the pros. “If you are a flight attendant and do a lot of turns or short half-day layovers and hate pull bags, this is the bag for you,” one person wrote . Another flight attendant agreed, saying that although the backpack isn’t approved for their airline’s uniform, they vacation with it “ and it has been wonderful .” 

As for how much travelers have been able to squeeze into this extra-large size, reviews are mixed. You might be able to fit a couple days or a couple weeks’ worth of clothing, depending on your packing style. One traveler fit four dresses, two pairs of shorts, two skirts, five shirts, two swimsuits, sandals, toiletries, their Kindle, charging cables, and “all the odds and ends you end up shoving in all the pockets” into theirs for an eight-day trip. Others found it to be the perfect weekender bag , with plenty of space to hold everything needed , plus extras like snacks and drinks.

The backpack comes in black, gray, green, light blue, light purple, and deep purple, as well as a smaller and larger XXL size at different price points. The least expensive option right now, however, is the discounted extra-large bag in black, while some other sizes and colors are also on sale for a little more. 

Read on for more epic deals on carry-on backpacks at Amazon.

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At the time of publishing, the price started at $34.

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