20 of my favourite adventure books by women
-
If you click a link with an * and buy from a company’s website, I may receive a small payment. This helps fund the Outdoor Girl site and keeps it free to use with no annoying pop up adverts.
But there are a couple of crucial things you need to know about this:
It never impacts my content or recommendations – if I include something, I genuinely think will be helpful
There is no extra cost to you when buying via one of these links
For a more detailed explanation, see my policy on affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links.
For transparency, you can also find duplicate links below that don’t help fund the Outdoor Girl website.
The other day, I found myself searching furiously (looking at you Kindle) for adventure books written by women and realised how hard they were to discover. Even adding ‘women’ or ‘female’ into the search didn’t change much - just a long list of male authors.
I’ve enjoyed tons of adventure writing over the years, by both men and women. But this time, I wanted something I could relate to a bit more - a woman writing about her life on the rock, cycling a long distance route, or walking a national trail.
I did eventually find one, but it wasn’t easy. So, I decided to put together a list of my favourite adventure books by women. It’s not a definitive list, just a collection of books I’ve loved over the years plus a few still waiting on my reading pile.
And, if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them. Feel free to add them in the comments.
My favourite adventure books by women
Drumroll please 🥁
Here’s a list of books that have stayed in my mind. Some I’ve reread, some I probably will in the future, and a few are waiting patiently for me to get started. You’ll see some older books that you might not easily find in bookshops, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for second hand copies of them.
1. Coffee First, Then the World - by Jenny Graham
The story of her solo lap of the planet by bike, covering 16 countries and 18,000 miles in 124 days. Sometimes funny, sometimes gritty, I was forever in awe of her determination (and that she could sleep in large drainage pipes overnight).
2. Take the Lead - by Sasha DiGiulian
Sharing her story of being a world class climber under the intense scrutiny of social media, dealing with body dysmorphia, and facing a potentially career ending injury - all while tackling incredible climbs.
3. The Pants of Perspective - by Anna McNuff
This is about running the 3,000 kilometre Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand over 148 days, sleeping wild most nights. It’s a funny and very open account of her journey and what she believes she’s capable of.
4. A Light Through the Cracks - by Beth Rodden
I loved watching Beth Rodden’s achievements over the years. This is a deeply personal account of her climbing career, including the mental and physical challenges of pushing her limits on some of the world’s toughest climbs.
5. Solo - by Jenny Tough
This is Jenny’s story of running solo and unsupported across mountain ranges on six continents, overcoming obstacles and fears. I was in awe of the things she experienced, from grizzly bears to outrunning men who thought it was ok to follow her.
6. Higher Love - by Kit DesLauriers
This is the story of her historic achievement as the first woman to climb and then ski from the summit of each continent’s highest mountain - the Seven Summits. But it also talks about her wolf Alta and her need for outdoor adventure, I loved it.
7. Unchained - by Rubina Soorty
Despite having never cycled to another town or camped alone, Rubina set off on a round the world bike tour. She shares the ups and downs, and the kindness of strangers.
8. Just a Little Run Around the World - by Rosie Swale Pope
After her husband died of cancer, 57 year old Rosie set off for a solo run around the world. The least expensive route takes her through Siberia, Alaska, North America, and Iceland, with temperatures dropping to +60c. I found it an incredibly inspiring book.
9. High Infatuation - by Steph Davies
Part climbing memoir, part reflection, Steph shares her passion for climbing, the challenges she’s faced, and her approach to risk and danger. Published in 2007, it’s a book I’ve read again and again.
10. Where the Indus is Young - by Dervla Murphy
This book is a classic travelogue following her journey with her six year old daughter through the remote regions of Pakistan, in winter. They travelled for three months along the Indus Gorge and into nearby valleys. It was the first of her books I read, and I went on to buy more!
11. Terra Incognita - by Sara Wheeler
Working as a writer in residence in Antarctica, she visits as many of the bases across the continent as she can. Living in close confines, she shares day to day life here, along with the history of polar exploration. I found it fascinating.
Books you’ll need to find second hand
12. Climbing Free - by Lynn Hill
Shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Award, this is Lynn Hill’s memoir and includes her groundbreaking ascent of The Nose on El Capitan. The book is an absolute gem from a climbing legend - but you might need to hunt high and low to find a copy. I’ve added a link below so you can see more - and who knows, you might decide £52 is worth it.
13. A Hard Day’s Summer - by Alison Hargreaves
Written in 1994, Alison travels around the Alps with her family with a goal to be the first person to solo climb the six major Alpine north faces in one season. It’s an amazing book that I’ve read several times - but you’ll have to hunt around for an affordable second hand copy.
14. The Whole Story: A Walk Around the World - by Ffyona Campbell
Published in 1997, this tells the story of her four year solo walk around the world. There was controversy at the time as she’d cheated on part of the walk, but she came clean and made up for it. One of the first adventure books I read, I remember feeling in awe that a woman could walk solo around the world. Another one to look for second hand..
On my reading list
15. Space Below My Feet - by Gwen Moffat
Classic mountaineering memoir from an iconic female climber, who became the first woman to qualify as a mountain guide. Covers her early years (1945) and how she overcame obstacles in a male-dominated sport.
16. Other Ways to Win - by Lee Craigie
One of Scotland’s great bike racers, she tells her story of growing up near Glasgow and discovering the freedom of cycling. She also set up the Adventure Syndicate, encouraging other women to cycle.
17. This Road I Ride - by Juliana Buhring
In 2012, Juliana became the first woman to circumnavigate the world by bike after only a few months of training and little support or money. The book shares her story of adventure, blood, sweat, and gears.
18. Mind of a Survivor - by Megan Hine
Megan has led expeditions and bushcraft survival courses, including work on tv shows such as Bear Gryll’s Mission Survive and Running Wild. She’s explored the world in pursuit of adventure, sharing her thoughts on human ability and instinct for survival - and how that translates to work and home.
19. Running Like A Girl - by Alexandra Heminsley
As a sometimes aspiring runner, I like the idea of this book. Her first attempt at running didn’t end well but six years later, she’d run five marathons in two continents. It sounds like a funny, inspiring memoir of perseverance.
20. Dare to Do - by Sarah Outen
The story of Sarah’s five year, 25,000 mile journey around the world. She cycled across Europe, Asia, and North America, and crossed the North Pacific and most of the North Atlantic by canoe and kayak.
If you have other adventure books by women you love, please share your recommendations in the comments below so I can find my next read!
You may also be interested in reading:
The best climbing films to stream in the UK
10 inspirational women in adventure
10 awesome adventure films to keep you inspired
If you enjoyed this post, or found something helpful, you can say thanks with a one-off cuppa (or maybe an adventure snack) here →
It’s never expected, but a big thank you if you can 🫶
LOVE THE OUTDOORS?
Get inspiration for big trips and small adventures, straight to your inbox.
Outdoor-Girl is run by Jacquie Budd, an outdoor adventure and marketing content writer helping ethical brands grow with strategic content that gets results.
What do the links with an * mean?
Links with an * by them are affiliated which means if you get a product via this link, a contribution may be made to the Outdoor Girl website, helping it stay free to use.
You shouldn’t notice any difference in the product or cost. Importantly, the content I write is NEVER impacted by these links. For more details, please read my policy on affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links.
As I believe transparency is important, I’m sharing the un-affiliated links too, but note this version does not help the Outdoor Girl website.
Unaffiliated web addresses for the * links in this blog post:
Coffee First, Then the World - Jenny Graham
Take the Lead - Sasha DiGiulian
The Pants of Perspective - Anna McNuff
A Light Through the Cracks- Beth Rodden
Solo - Jenny Tough
Higher Love - Kit DesLauriers
Unchained - Rubina Soorty
Just a Little Run Around the World - Rose Swale Pope
High Infatuation - Steph Davies
Where the Indus is Young - Dervla Murphy
Terra Incognita - Sara Wheeler
Climbing Free - Lynn Hill
A Hard Day’s Summer - Alison Hargreaves
The Whole Story - Ffyona Campbell
Space Below My Feet - Gwen Moffatt
Other Ways to Win - Lee Craigie
This Road I Ride - Juliana Buhring
Mind of a Survivor - Megan Hine
Running Like a Girl - Alexandra Heminsley
Dare to Do - Sarah Outen
