Films About Hiking
Films about hiking often capture the spirit of adventure and the profound connection between humans and nature. They can range from documentaries showcasing breathtaking landscapes to narrative films that explore personal growth, survival, and the challenges of the wilderness. These films inspire viewers to appreciate the great outdoors while reflecting on their own journeys, both internal and external.
List of Films About Hiking
“Into the Wild”, 2007
Director: Sean Penn
Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, this film follows a young man who abandons his possessions and savings to explore the Alaskan wilderness. It explores themes of freedom, self-discovery, and the allure of nature.
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Brian H. Dierker, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, Jim Galien, James O'Neill, Malinda McCollum, Paul Knauls, Zach Galifianakis, Craig Mutsch, Jim Beidler, John Decker, John Hofer, Jerry Hofer, Terry Waldner, Robin Mathews, Candice Campos, Steven Wiig, Thure Lindhardt, Signe Egholm Olsen, Floyd Wall, Bryce Walters, Jim Davis, Cheryl Francis Harrington, R.D. Call, Haley Ramm, Merritt Wever, Everett «Insane Wayne» Smith, John Jabaley, Leonard Knight, Matt Contreras, Denise Sitton, Bart the Bear, Sharon Olds, Carine McCandless, Dan Burch, Doug Cartwright, Joe Dustin, Golbon Eghtedari, Alvin Ellie, Zoe Galvez, Caroline Gelabert, Geri Gilmore, Paul Haasch, Andy Hayward;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 148 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Into the Wild” on the website imdb.com
“Wild”, 2014
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Adapted from Cheryl Strayed's memoir, this film chronicles her journey along the Pacific Crest Trail as she seeks to heal from personal tragedies. It delves into themes of loss, resilience, and the transformative power of nature.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Keene McRae, Michiel Huisman, W. Earl Brown, Gaby Hoffmann, Kevin Rankin, Brian Van Holt, Cliff De Young, Mo, Will Cuddy, Leigh Parker, Nick Eversman, Alles Mist, Randy Schulman, Cathryn de Prume, Kurt Conroyd, Ted deChatelet, Jeffree Newman, Lorraine Bahr, Jerry Carlton, Kevin Michael Moore, Debra Pralle, Gray Eubank, Anne Sorce, Charles Baker, JD Evermore, Beth Hall, Jan Hoag, Carlee McManus, Art Alexakis, Anne Gee Byrd, Evan O'Toole, Jeanine Jackson, Jason Newell, Barry O'Neil, Rich Morris, Bobbi Strayed Lindstrom, Robert Alan Barnett, William Nelson, Tony Doupe, Dan Considine, Andrew Saunderson, Greg James, Orianna Milne, Brian Borcherdt, Eric D. Johnson, Matt Pascua, Edric Carter;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Wild” on the website imdb.com
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, 2013
Director: Ben Stiller
This adventure-comedy follows Walter Mitty, a daydreamer who embarks on a global journey that includes a stunning hiking adventure in the Himalayas. The film celebrates the spirit of adventure and stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Shirley MacLaine, Kathryn Hahn, Sean Penn, Patton Oswalt, Adrian Martinez, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Marcus Antturi, Jon Daly, Terence Bernie Hines, Paul Fitzgerald, Grace Rex, Alex Anfanger, Amanda Naughton, Nolan Carley, Joey Slotnick, Gary Wilmes, Amy Stiller, Rosamund Gundmundsdottir, Maariu Olsen, Makka Kleist, Þórhallur Sigurðsson, Ari Matthíasson, Hendrikus Schraven, Finni Johannsson, Eysteinn Gardarsson, José Antonio Alcántara, Rodrigo Espinosa, Seba Alón, Miguel Baez-Olavarria, Danny Orellana, Antonio Molina, Martin Lagos, Andres Quezada, Valur Snaer Hilmarsson, Eythor Atli Hilmarsson, Birgir Jarl Runarsson, Gunnar Helgason, Kai Lennox, Conan O'Brien, Andy Richter, Gurdeep Singh, Anthony Desio, Losang Thonden, Rinjee Sherpa, Haroon Nawabi, Stefan B. Onundarson;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: comedy, adventure, fantasy, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” on the website imdb.com
“A Walk in the Woods”, 2015
Director: Ken Kwapis
Based on Bill Bryson's memoir, this film depicts the author's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail with an old friend. It combines humor with a reflective journey about friendship, aging, and the beauty of nature.
Starring: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal, R. Keith Harris, Randall Newsome, Hayley Lovitt, Linds Edwards, Susan McPhail, Andrew Vogel, Derek Krantz, Gaia Wise, Tucker Meek, Chandler Head, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, John Schmedes, Valentin Almendarez, Danny Vinson, Valerie Payton, Stephanie Astalos-Jones, Kevin Harrison, Bridget Gethins, Alex Van, John Kap, Mimi Gould, Rowan Bousaid, Njema Williams, Perry Ball, Esther Cason, Tony Caudill, Marshall Choka, Marcy Conway, Fred Galle, Katie Groshong, Roger A. Harrison, Walter Hendrix III, Leslie Kimbell, Donald J. Koko, Hayley H. Long, Dylan Lowe, Duke McNeil, Dan Michael, William J. Mode, William L. Moss Jr., Chrystee Pharris, Speir Rahn, Eric Elijah Rogers, Joel Rogers;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, comedy, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “A Walk in the Woods” on the website imdb.com
“180° South”, 2010
Director: Chris Malloy
This documentary follows a group of adventurers as they retrace the steps of the legendary 1968 trip to Patagonia. It combines stunning visuals of hiking and climbing with a message about conservation and adventure.
Starring: Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tomkins, Keith Malloy, Alicia Salome Acuna Ika, Timmy O'Neil, Tom Frost, Jeff Johnson, Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, David McGuire, Alejandro Navarro Harrieta, Ramon Navarro, Juan Pablo Orrego, Chuck Pratt, Royal Robbins, David Seldman, Alan Szydlowski, Lito Tejada Flores, Karl Vannice, Daniel Velazquez;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: documentary, drama, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 85 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“The Way”, 2010
Director: Emilio Estevez
This film tells the story of a father who travels to Spain to retrieve the body of his son who died while walking the Camino de Santiago. He ends up completing the pilgrimage himself, encountering various travelers and personal revelations along the way.
Starring: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger, Yorick van Wageningen, James Nesbitt, Romy Baskerville, Renée Estevez, Tchéky Karyo, David Alexanian, William Holden, Spencer Garrett, Joe Torrenueva, Stéphane Dausse, Ángela Molina, Simón Andreu, Patxi Pérez, Joan Díez, Carlos Leal, Anthony Von Seck, Matt Clark, Eusebio Lázaro, José Luis Molina, José Javier Ruiz, Omar Muñoz, Antonio Gil-Martinez, Coro El Encuento Burgos, Alfonso Delgado, Víctor Molero, Manuel Calvo, Milagros Alcalde Díez, Maximiano Benito Nebreda, Santi Prego, Ramon Estevez, Jeremiah Krage;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Way” on the website imdb.com
“Everest”, 2015
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Based on the true events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, this film portrays the harrowing journey of climbers facing extreme conditions. It's a gripping tale of human endurance, ambition, and the risks of high-altitude hiking.
Starring: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sam Worthington, John Hawkes, Michael Kelly, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, Robin Wright, Martin Henderson, Thomas M. Wright, Elizabeth Debicki, Ang Phula Sherpa, Tom Goodman-Hill, Charlotte Bøving, Pemba Sherpa, Amy Shindler, Simon Harrison, Chris Reilly, Naoko Mori, Tim Dantay, Todd Boyce, Mark Derwin, Justin Salinger, Vanessa Kirby, Mia Goth, Stormur Jón Kormákur Baltasarsson, Demetri Goritsas, Chike Chan, Micah Hauptman, Clive Standen, Nancy Baldwin, Lucy Newman-Williams, Vijay Lama, Avin Shah, Sarah Arnold-Hall, Robert-Anthony Artlett, Susan Baskerville, Paul Blackwell, Jennifer Brenner, David Broughton, Siong Loong Choong, Bernard Collaco, Marco Flammer, Chloe-Allyn Gallacher, Chris Geden, Harka Gurung, Tim Hammersley, Elizabeth Haruna;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: adventure, thriller, drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Everest” on the website imdb.com
“Tracks”, 2013
Director: John Curran
This film is based on Robyn Davidson’s true story of her 1,700-mile trek across the Australian desert with her camels and dog. It explores themes of solitude, self-reliance, and the beauty and danger of the wild.
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Rolley Mintuma, Rainer Bock, Robert Coleby, Emma Booth, Lily Pearl, Jessica Tovey, Melanie Zanetti, Jamie Timony, Philip Dodd, Fiona Press, Daisy Walkabout, Felicity Steel, John Flaus, Ian Conway, Evan Casey, David Pearce, Darcy Crouch, Brendan Maclean, Ryan McMillan, Leah Michelle, Steven Parker, Leo Payten, Jed Payten, Bryan Probets, Elsie Wanatjura, Rene Kulitja, Happy Reid, Lydia Angus, Yvonne Yiparti, Awalari Teamay, Edith Richards, Vincent Forster, Tim Rogers, Chelsea Haywood, Andrew Harper, Tom Budge, Edwin Hodgeman, Carol Burns, Chris Duncan, Ricardo Anasco, Morgan, Mona, Istan, Mindie, Special Agent Gibbs, Mitch;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: biography, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“The Great Outdoors”, 1988
Director: Howard Deutch
While primarily a comedy, this film features a family vacation in the woods that includes various outdoor activities, including hiking. It showcases the humor and challenges of outdoor life.
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Stephanie Faracy, Annette Bening, Chris Young, Ian Michael Giatti, Hilary Gordon, Rebecca Gordon, Robert Prosky, Zoaunne LeRoy, Lucy Deakins, Nancy Lenehan, John Bloom, Lewis Arquette, Britt Leach, Cliff Bemis, Paul Hansen, Debra Lee Ortega, Sierra Somerville, Christine Spiotta, Chris Bass, Shirley Harris, Christopher Kinsman, Andy Prosky, Brian Healy, Bart the Bear, Raleigh Bond, Jerry Maren, Mark Sawtelle, Barry Thompson;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “The Great Outdoors” on the website imdb.com
“The Last Mountain”, 2011
Director: Bill Haney
This documentary focuses on the fight to protect the Appalachian Mountains from coal mining. It features breathtaking hikes and highlights the importance of preserving natural landscapes.
Starring: Susan Bird, Don Blankenship, Ron Burris, Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Joseph Byron, Antrim Caskey, Devra Lee Davis, Joshua Graupera, Gary Gump, Maria Gunnoe, Jennifer Hall-Massey, Allen Hershkowitz, Lisa P. Jackson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Joe Lovett, Nick Martin, Chuck Nelson, Amber Nitchman, Bill Raney, Lawrence Richmond, Lorelei Scarbo, Michael Shnayerson, David Aaron Smith, Jack Spadaro, James Gustave Speth, Ben Stout, Laura von Dohlen, Bo Webb, Ed Wiley;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: documentary;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Last Mountain” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also inspire viewers to explore the great outdoors, providing insights into the human spirit's resilience and the stunning beauty of nature.
In the world of cinema, there is a special place for films about hiking. These captivating and adventurous tales transport us to breathtaking landscapes, where the human spirit is tested against the forces of nature. From thrilling survival stories to introspective journeys of self-discovery, these films inspire and remind us of the power of the great outdoors. Whether it's scaling towering peaks, traversing treacherous terrain, or simply finding solace in the serenity of nature, these films about hiking take us on unforgettable cinematic journeys that will leave a lasting impression. So grab your backpack, lace up your boots, and embark on a cinematic adventure that will ignite your sense of wanderlust and leave you longing for the call of the wild.
