Movies About Hiking

Updated May 1, 2024

Thinking about Movies About Hiking, there is no limit to the films who explored this topic. We put together 22 of the best ones.

Into the Wild (2007)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a 2007 biographical drama film directed and written by Sean Penn. It is based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer about the adventures of Christopher McCandless, a young man who hiked across North America into the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s. After graduating from college with top grades, McCandless donated his savings to charity, abandoned his possessions, and set out on a two-year journey, during which he attempted to live off the land. Along the way, he encountered a series of characters who, in one way or another, helped shape his life. The film follows McCandless’ journey as he discovers the beauty of nature and the harshness of life, ultimately leading to his demise.

Free Solo (2018)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, starring Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, Cheyne Lempe
Rated PG-13

Free Solo is a 2018 documentary film directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The film follows professional climber Alex Honnold as he attempts the first free solo climb of the world's most famous rock face, the 3,000ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The film documents the physical and mental challenges Honnold must overcome in order to achieve his goal. Along the way, the film takes an intimate look into the motivations, fears, and psychological complexities driving Honnold to achieve his goal. Through an incredible mix of cinematography, the film captures the beauty of the climb and the tension of the attempt. Ultimately, Free Solo is a suspenseful and awe-inspiring story of one man's quest to conquer seemingly insurmountable odds.

Touching the Void (2003)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Kevin Macdonald, starring Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron
Rated R

Touching the Void is a 2003 British documentary film directed by Kevin Macdonald. Based on the book of the same name by Joe Simpson, the film tells the true story of Simpson and his climbing partner Simon Yates' disastrous and near fatal attempt to summit the Siula Grande mountain in the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes in June 1985. After summiting the mountain, an avalanche strikes and Simpson falls and breaks his leg. Yates manages to lower Simpson down the mountain, however, a storm causes a huge crevasse to open up and Simpson falls in, leaving Yates with no choice but to cut the rope connecting the two. Believing Simpson to be dead, Yates returns to base camp while Simpson must summon the strength to climb out of the crevasse and walk out of the mountain range. Through interviews, re-enactments and actual footage, the film follows Simpson and Yates' story, documenting the incredible lengths and courage Simpson demonstrates in order to survive.

Embrace of the Serpent (2015)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Ciro Guerra, starring Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolívar, Brionne Davis
Rated Not Rated

"Embrace of the Serpent" (2015) is a critically acclaimed film directed by Ciro Guerra. It follows the story of Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman, as he travels with two European explorers on separate journeys to find a sacred healing plant. Along the way, they encounter several dangers, including wild animals, slave hunters, and a mysterious disease called "the sleeping sickness." Karamakate's travels span 40 years, during which he learns of the devastating effects colonization has had on the Amazon and its people. He ultimately discovers the healing properties of the sacred plant, but only after he and the two explorers have gone through a profound spiritual journey and transformation. Themes of colonialism, spirituality, and ecology are threaded throughout the film, as Karamakate ultimately finds a way to preserve his culture and the environment in the face of oppressive outside forces.

Deep Water (2006)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell, starring Tilda Swinton, Donald Crowhurst, Ted Hynds, Robin Knox-Johnston
Rated PG

Deep Water is a 2006 documentary that follows amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst as he attempts to sail solo around the world, in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race of 1968. After facing catastrophic failure, Crowhurst finds himself in a desperate struggle to survive mentally and physically, facing a range of ethical and moral dilemmas in his attempt to finish the race. The film uses interviews with his family, archival footage, and reenactments to tell his story, and examines the consequences of his ambition and the risks of pushing too hard to fulfill one's dreams. The film ultimately shows the tragic consequences of pushing boundaries too far.

Meru (2015)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, starring Conrad Anker, Grace Chin, Jimmy Chin, Amee Hinkley
Rated R

Meru is a 2015 documentary film directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. It follows three climbers, Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk, as they attempt to summit the treacherous "Shark's Fin" on Mount Meru in the Indian Himalayas. The film chronicles the climbers' perseverance and physical and psychological struggles as they face the dangers of high altitude climbing, extreme weather conditions, and unstable rock faces. As the climbers' journey unfolds, their determination is tested as they put their bodies, relationships, and ambitions on the line in pursuit of the summit. The film offers an intimate, unflinching look into the limits of human endurance and the power of the will to survive against all odds.

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Torquil Jones, starring Nirmal Purja, Suchi Purja, Klára Kolouchová, Reinhold Messner
Rated TV-MA

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a feature-length documentary about the remarkable journey of Tom Ballard, a British climber who became the first person to solo climb all fourteen of the world’s highest mountains. Filmed over a three-year period, the film follows Tom’s incredible journey, as he pushes himself to his physical and mental limits, conquering nature’s toughest challenges and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Through interviews with some of the world's most renowned climbers and mountaineers, the film also explores the history, culture and geography of the world's summit and how it has shaped the lives of the climbers who attempt to reach its top. Ultimately, the film is a testament to the strength of the human spirit - a story of courage, determination and the power of never giving up.

127 Hours (2010)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Danny Boyle, starring James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Sean Bott
Rated R

127 Hours is a biographical drama film directed by Danny Boyle that stars James Franco. The film is based on the true story of mountaineer Aron Ralston’s remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. In an attempt to stay alive, Aron is forced to make one of the most difficult and courageous decisions of his life. With the help of memories, visions, and his own sheer determination, he is able to find a way to free himself before his time runs out. Along the way, he learns some valuable lessons about friendship, faith, and the importance of living life to the fullest. 127 Hours is a powerful and moving film that will leave viewers inspired and uplifted.