Trail Movies: 22 Best Hiking Movies and Documentaries to Inspire You Hit the Trail
Looking for the best hiking movies and documentaries to inspire you to hit the outdoors? This post has all the highly-rated trail movies to watch!
Some people go out on a trail for fun, some people hike for the exhilaration and thrill it provides them, while others find it peaceful.
Whatever may be your reason to strap on your boots and go on a hike, I’m sure this list of 22 best hiking movies and documentaries will inspire your next trail.
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These trail movies might also come in handy when you are stuck indoors and cannot hit the trail since they’re inspiring, moving, and as outdoorsy as can be.
Plus, some of them come with amazing and breathtaking views of the trails and the landscape.
You’ll find the characters walking trails, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and even camping.
From documentaries covering hikes ranging from North America to South America to Scotland to Europe, these hiking movies have it all.
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Best Hiking Movies and Documentaries You Should Watch
Whether it’s for the breathtaking views, the amazing cinematography, the riveting storyline, or just to motivate yourself to hit the trail, these documentaries and movies about hiking will make you feel closer to the outdoors!
1. Into the Wild (2007)
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
If you search for hiking movies on Netflix, this pops up at the top but more than solely being a hiking movie, it’s a movie about adventure, grit, determination, and provides inspiration for adventure-loving souls to get out of their daily grind and explore the unknown.
Into the Wild is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, whose story got recognition through a book written by Jon Krakauer.
Christopher gave up his comforts, his privilege, his life savings to charity, and everything he had achieved to begin his journey to the Alaska wilderness and live alone.
While the journey started as an exciting adventure, it ended in a tragedy! You may want to get some tissue when watching because it’s such a sad ending!
2. The Way (2010)
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
A father decides to embark on a journey on the ancient pilgrimage route of Camino de Santiago, after the untimely death of his only son (who died hiking on that route), to reclaim his body and complete the pilgrimage his son could not.
The way is about soul searching, grief, and redemption, and Martin Sheen plays the serious yet grieving father beautifully. It is one of the best hiking movies based on Camino de Santiago.
3. Alone Across Australia (2004)
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
Alone Across Australia is one of the best hiking documentaries that showcase determination, inner strength, and survival instincts.
Most of us struggle to complete a few kilometers/miles, but Jon Muir, one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers and climbers, decided to walk 2500 km (~ 1600 miles) spanning 128 days on foot from the south to the north Australian coast along with his dog.
He wanted to complete this quest across his native land without using any navigational technology or other human companionship. He comes across unimaginable sights and survives mainly by hunting and gathering.
4. The High Sierra Trail (2018)
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Another great documentary about hiking, The High Sierra Trail, as the name suggests, is a story about the 49-mile (79 km) trail in Sequoia National Park traversing the Sierra Nevada from west to east, and John and Chris, who discover the history behind it along the way.
Both of them climb the highest mountain in the United States, Mt. Whitney, and have some close calls with lightning while at it.
It is an adventure documentary that will provide stunning views of the National Park and the trail.
History buffs will thoroughly enjoy this since its past has been brought to life in 3D form.
5. 127 Hours (2010)
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
A hiking movies list is incomplete without mentioning 127 Hours. It is based on the true story of 27-year-old Aron Ralston, played by James Franco, who goes on a solo hike in Utah when things take a drastic turn.
Aron wrote a book about his harrowing experience called Between a Rock and Hard Place, on which the movie is based.
A boulder that he dislodges traps his right arm, and he is stuck in the middle of nowhere for 127 hours with no one to help him. Aron then decides to do the unthinkable to survive.
6. Free Solo (2018)
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Free Solo ranks high on the list of best hiking documentaries, and rightly so. It won an Academy Award, Emmy Award, and BAFTA in 2019 across different categories, on top of the 50+ nominations it has under its belt.
Although not a through-and-through film about hiking, it tells the story of Alex Honnold, who attempts to become the first person to ever free solo climb the El Capitan, a 3,000 foot (914 m) high vertical monolith situated in Yosemite National Park.
You should watch the movie for the sheer determination and focus that Alex portrays in it and the ultimate happiness that can be seen on his face when he completes the arduous challenge.
7. A Walk in the Woods (2015)
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 48%
One of the most iconic Appalachian trail movies, A Walk in the Woods, is a light-hearted, slightly humorous tale based on the Bill Bryson book of the same name that has him walk the 2000-mile Appalachian trail with his old friend, Katz.
The film stands out because of its friendship tones and amazing chemistry between the protagonists played by Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.
It might not have bagged any prizes, but it highlights some important aspects of life.
8. Wild (2014)
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
A list of trail movies has to include Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of the same name.
It is the story of Cheryl, who backpacks by herself across the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from the Mojave Desert to Canada.
It is a riveting journey about self-discovery and provides a glimpse into Cheryl’s problematic past. It might also inspire you into embarking on a long hike of your own.
9. Gerry (2002)
IMDB Rating: 6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 61%
A movie about two friends named Gerry, and Gerry, who hike a “Wilderness Trail” in Death Valley only to realize they are lost.
And to make matters worse, they do not have any food or water with them. What starts off as a fun friendship adventure ends with them growing increasingly irritated with each other and eventually ending on a bittersweet note.
With stars such as Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, it’s hard to understand why this hiking movie didn’t do as well as one would think.
10. Mile… Mile & A Half (2013)
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
One of the well-known documentaries about hiking, Mile… Mile & A Half is about a group of artists who go on a month-long backpacking adventure, hiking on the John Muir Trail in California.
The hike is a 210-mile-long route that the 5 friends undertake and showcases some breathtaking views along the way.
Did you know it was funded through a Kickstarter campaign? The documentary shows you the bond shared by the friends and the people they meet along the way.
11. Tracks (2013)
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Tracks is based on the incredible real-life account of Robyn Davidson, an Australian woman who embarked on a 2000-mile (nearly 3200 km) hike across central Australia with her beloved dog and 4 camels for company.
Robyn, played beautifully by Mia Wasikowska, has to brave the Australian wildlife and her personal struggles to come out victorious.
It is a thought-provoking movie about self-discovery and perseverance. You might understand why people take risks or what motivates them to test their hiking or backpacking limits.
12. The Way Back (2010)
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
The Way Back is another movie based on a real-life story. Adapted from a memoir called The Long Way by Slawomir Rawicz, this movie tells the tale about a group of men, who escape a soviet gulag, or labor camp, in Siberia and their 4000-mile (~ 6400 km) trekking journey to India.
The prisoners of war have to go through a tough ordeal along the way while trying to overcome one setback after another.
The movie is about survival, determination, and perseverance.
13. Wildlike (2014)
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Wildlike is an unconventional trail movie about a teenage girl named MacKenzie who gets sent to her uncle in Alaska after her father passes away and her mother is hospitalized.
Her situation worsens when her uncle becomes abusive, so she flees from there.
She runs into a widowed backpacker and both of them embark on a long trail across Alaska.
This movie is about hope and portrays the contrast between personal tragedy and natural beauty. It has deservingly won a bunch of awards.
14. The Ritual (2017)
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Another movie that shows up when you search for hiking movies on Netflix is the Ritual.
Unlike the other movies on this list, this one comes under the horror-thriller genre, so feel free to skip it if it’s a genre you don’t watch. For those who like the genre and want to watch it, it’s a pretty good movie.
It follows a group of old college friends who hike the Kungsleden Trail in Sweden, but things take an eerie turn when they walk into the mysterious forests of a Norse legend and feel a stalker-y presence surround them.
How far will they go to service this horror? You have to watch the movie to find out!
15. Edie (2017)
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
Edie is an awe-inspiring and touching tale of an 83-year-old who, instead of being confined to a retirement home, decides to climb Mount Suilven in the Scottish Highlands.
Her determination is fanned by the fact that her husband would not have allowed her to do this.
It is a heart-warming tale about living your life without regrets and defying the odds regardless of your age.
The movie puts mortality into perspective and you might find yourself being a little braver and living your life to the fullest after watching it.
16. Backcountry (2014)
IMDB Rating: 6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
What happens when you start a trail without a map? Everything that you can imagine going wrong is what!
From getting lost to being harassed by locals to encountering a bear, Backcountry hits all the fear spots. It is a wilderness camping cum backpacking-through-the-wild kinda movie.
The story starts with Brad taking his girlfriend, Jenn, on a camping trip to one of his favorite spots, but things don’t go according to his plan when they are met with mishaps one after another.
17. The Lost City of Z (2016)
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
This movie is a true story of British explorer Major Percival Fawcett and is based on David Grann’s bestselling book with the same name.
Col. Fawcett ventured into the Amazonian jungles to search for the ancient civilization of the City of Z.
If you’re keen to see the Amazon and some jungle adventure, grab some popcorn and watch the Lost City of Z.
It is not a trail movie per se, but more like an exploration movie that involves some hiking and walking through the jungle.
18. Tell It on the Mountain (2013)
IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
The last documentary on this list of the best backpacking movies and documentaries is Tell It on the Mountain, which is also the 2nd movie on this list to explore the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada.
The film follows a group of intrepid explorers and hikers as they undertake this 2653-mile-long (4270 km) trek while recording their individual perspectives and journeys.
You get a unique and different perspective of the hiking trail through each one’s eyes.
19. Touching the Void (2003)
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Two young climbers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates succeed in their quest to be the first to reach the summit of the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, but the treacherous descent is the gripping part of this mountaineering movie.
Along the way, Joe breaks his leg after a fall, so Simon has to lower him with ropes for the rest of the way.
Their chances of survival get slimmer when an impending storm causes more problems.
Will they survive this rather catastrophic adventure? This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wait to find out.
20. Everest (2015)
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
Another gripping mountaineering movie, Everest, is about Robert Hall and Scott Fischer teaming up to go on a joint expedition ascending up to the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth.
A violent, unannounced blizzard engulfs them, and the already harsh conditions worsen for the two. They must not only endure it but also overcome it and survive against the odds.
Some parts of the movie will have you imagining yourself in their snow boots and wondering how to tackle the situations they face but others will make you never want to climb it!
How many will survive the harsh conditions of the highest mountain? Everest will have you saying a prayer for their survivor. Now grab some popcorn and watch this thriller hiking film on Netflix.
21. The Beckoning Silence (2007)
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
This is the last mountaineering movie on this list, I promise. It is a gripping tale about perseverance and determination so I couldn’t skip out on it. In addition, it is like a sequel to Touching the Void.
This 2008 Emmy Award-winning movie picks up after the near-death accident of Joe Simpson after he breaks his leg.
He was told he would never climb again, but all he wanted to do was to continue climbing. Joe speaks about his road to recovery, and his journey to the top, again.
22. Arctic (2018)
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
A plane crash leaves Overgård, played by Mads Mikkelsen, stranded in the Arctic.
He has an impossible choice to make; stay in the safety of the camp that he has put together or trek through the unknown while battling the bitter cold hoping that he might be rescued.
The film garnered 5 nominations across various film festivals, including Cannes, and is a story with an underlying life message; stay in your comfort zone or step out of it and grow.
Final Thoughts on the Best Movies About Hiking
These were some of the best hiking and trail movies and documentaries. I hope they inspire you to grab your hiking gear and tread on a new journey.
If you think I missed out on your favorite trail movies, share them with me in the comments below and I’ll add them to the list.
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