Whether you’re a runner, rider, climber, paddler or just love a solid inspiring story, these adventure films and books will fuel your fire! They’re here to remind you why you pack the bag, lace the shoes, or throw the kayak on the roof.
It’s a long weekend and you’ve got a few glorious days off, maybe a few plans in the calendar, but let’s be honest, some of that time will be spent on the couch with a good coffee or curled up in your sleeping bag after a long hike. That’s exactly when a dose of outdoor inspiration hits best.
We’ve compiled some of our favourite adventure short films and books and documentaries that’ll have your pulse quickening and leave you yearning for your own rad adventure.
Epic Adventure Films And Books
When All This Passes:
This dreamy 6-minute film follows a 24km solo trail run around Montserrat, Spain. Moody, meditative, and totally absorbing, it’s more about the feel of running in the wild than the stats or gear.
Life Lessons from a 7,000-Mile Ride:
Jedidiah Jenkins quit his job and cycled from Oregon to Patagonia. This beautifully shot short film is part soul-search, part scenery feast, and 100% motivation to get out and spin those wheels.
3. ESCAPE
A film about breaking free both physically and mentally. Expect stunning bouldering shots, thoughtful narration, and a powerful reminder of what climbing gives back.
Paddle Tales with Ken Whiting
Former world champion kayaker, Ken Whiting, explores coastlines, rivers, and cultures in this easy-to-dive-into series. Perfect for armchair travel and getting ideas for your next paddle adventure.
Adventure Books Worth Packing (or Downloading):
1. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
A wild ride into the world of the Tarahumara tribe, barefoot endurance running, and the ultra scene. Even if you’re not a runner, this one is a page-turner packed with adrenaline and insight.
Best for: Trail runners, curious minds, and lovers of myth-meets-science storytelling.
2. The Rider by Tim Krabbé
This cult classic plunges you inside the mind of a competitive cyclist during a single race in France. Sharp, intense, and oddly poetic. It’s a masterclass in internal monologue and physical endurance.
Best for: Roadies, lovers of stripped-down prose, and anyone who’s raced their own mind.
Alone on the Wall by Alex Honnold
Before he became a household name with Free Solo, Honnold was writing about the inner workings of his risk-taking brain. Co-authored with David Roberts, this book balances bold feats with personal insight.
Best for: Climbers, armchair daredevils, and fans of extreme focus.
Paddling North by Audrey Sutherland
At age 60, Audrey Sutherland set off alone to kayak the Alaskan coastline because, in her words, “go simple, go solo, go now.” This is a book about quiet courage and fierce independence.
Best for: Paddlers, solo travellers, and women who do their own thing.
The beauty of adventure isn’t just in the going, it’s in the dreaming, remembering, and passing it on
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