Whether you’re tackling sheer cliffs, scaling icy peaks or just giving indoor bouldering a try for the first time, the world of climbing is a rich and varied one – and feeling inspired and informed can be as useful as building strength and endurance before you give your next challenge a go.
Climbing books offer a window into the wild world of vertical adventure, whether you’re reaching for personal stories of triumph and failure or a practical guide to help improve your skills.
More and more of us may be reaching for great climbing books for inspiration as the sport has been gaining popularity right here in the UK, especially after becoming an Olympic event in 2020. As of 2022, there were around 400 climbing walls across the country, with over one million people climbing each year and at least 100,000 people regularly participating in indoor and outdoor climbing.
The sport’s appeal has grown due to its accessibility and the development of climbing gyms, with centres such as The Climbing Works in Sheffield and The Castle Climbing Centre in London attracting keen new climbers.
Climbing is a great sport for beginners because it builds strength, balance, and coordination while being highly adaptable to different fitness levels. Additionally, climbing involves problem-solving and mental focus, with each route presenting a puzzle to be solved.
Climbing culture has deep roots in the UK, dating back to the late 19th century when pioneers would seek out challenges in the Lake District and Scotland. British climbers have made significant contributions to the sport and today there’s an international community of mountaineers pushing limits across the globe.
From first-hand accounts of epic ascents by legendary mountaineers from different eras to instructional guides on technique, common mistakes and mindset, our selection of the best climbing books has something for every climber and mountaineer and will captivate seasoned pros and keen beginners alike.
Here's our pick of the best climbing books
Alone on the Wall by Alex Honnold and David Roberts
The world’s best-known free solo climber shares the story of the BAFTA and Oscar-winning film Free Solo and beyond in this thoughtful book, co-authored with David Roberts.
As well as exhilarating accounts of Honnold's bold, death-defying free solo climbs (in which he scales massive rock walls without ropes), Alone on the Wall delves into the mindset behind his extraordinary feats, offering insight into his mental toughness and drive for perfection.
Honnold’s unassuming reflections contrast with the heart-pounding nature of his climbs, and co-author David Roberts adds context and analysis, providing a broader view of climbing culture.
Buy now £9.50, Amazon
The Rock Warrior’s Way by Arno Ilgner
This modern classic tackles the mental aspects of climbing. Ilgner’s The Rock Warrior’s Way offers practical advice on managing fear, improving focus and handling the psychological challenges of climbing.
Packed with tips on staying present while on the wall and conquering mental barriers as you climb, this is an essential guide for any climber looking to enhance their mental strength but also has helpful insights for beginners wondering how to progress. A go-to for anyone who wants to merge mindfulness with climbing performance.
Buy now £24.77, Amazon
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson
The seismic climbing book that even non-climbers are likely to have read, Touching the Void is a heart-stopping true story. Joe Simpson recounts his dramatic against-the-odds survival after a disastrous climb in the Peruvian Andes with his partner Simon Yates.
This gripping narrative explores friendship, survival, and the will to live when all hope seems lost. This is a compelling read for both adrenaline-seekers and armchair adventurers alike, and Simpson's tale is harrowing and inspiring in equal parts, showing the raw and brutal side of mountaineering yet reminding the reader never to give up hope.
Buy now £11.37, Amazon
The Climbing Bible by Martin Mobråten and Stian Christophersen
Getting into climbing (or buying a gift for a newbie climber) and not sure where to start? This comprehensive guide for both beginner and experienced climbers, written by two world-class sportsmen, covers everything from techniques to injury prevention and training plans.
Whether you're hitting the gym or heading to the crag, The Climbing Bible provides practical advice and tips for improving your climbing skills, from finger strength to footwork and even how to get kids interested in climbing. It’s an excellent resource to turn to as you progress in the sport.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon
Fiva: An Adventure That Went Wrong by Gordon Stainforth
Fiva tells the true story of two young brothers embarking on a climbing adventure to Norway’s Troll Wall that goes disastrously wrong. Stainforth’s vivid writing captures the tension, fear and unbreakable bond between the brothers as they fight to survive.
This gripping memoir is perfect for climbers seeking an intense, real-life adventure that underscores the unpredictability of nature and the resilience required to overcome adversity. And unlike many (rather earnest) climbing memoirs, there’s also self-deprecating humour here.
Buy now £9.93, Amazon
One Man’s Mountains by Tom Patey
Tom Patey’s One Man’s Mountains is a classic collection of witty and insightful essays about the climber’s adventures ranging across the Scottish Highlands, the Alps and the Himalayas. Patey’s storytelling is full of humour and charm, capturing the joys and challenges of mountaineering with a sense of light-hearted fun.
Patey died while editing these stories, and the collection is movingly introduced by his friend, mountaineer Chris Bonnington. A great read for climbers who appreciate adventure tales that are as amusing as they are thrilling.
Buy now £3.58, Amazon
9 Out of 10 Climbers Make the Same Mistakes by Dave MacLeod
The title says it all – this clever book is all about improving your climbing fast, and the easy-to-follow, actionable technique tips work for any level. Scottish climber Dave MacLeod’s book is a refreshing, no-nonsense look at the common mistakes most climbers make and how to avoid them, offering practical, relatable advice for improving your climbing skills, mindset, and overall approach to the sport.
A must-read for anyone serious about advancing their climbing game.
Buy now £16.83, Amazon
The Push by Tommy Caldwell
In January 2015, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson made headlines around the world by free climbing El Capitan’s Dawn Wall in Yosemite after six years of planning and preparation. The Push is Tommy Caldwel’s memoir as well as a chronicle of their achievement and includes tales ranging from being held hostage by militants in Kyrgyzstan to Caldwell’s struggle with injury and the emotional journey of finally conquering the Dawn Wall.
It’s a deeply personal and inspiring story about perseverance, passion, and pushing beyond what seems possible.
Buy now £10.19, Amazon
Psychovertical by Andy Kirkpatrick
British climber Andy Kirkpatrick takes readers on a wild ride through his life as an extreme climber, tackling some of the world’s toughest alpine routes. Kirkpatrick’s dark humour and honest writing style make this book both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Psychovertical is not just about climbing - it’s about facing fear, dealing with loneliness, and the mental challenge of enduring the most difficult mountain conditions, from multi-day pitches on El Capitan to winter ascents in the Alps. A raw, riveting read from the man that Metro said “makes Ray Mears look like Paris Hilton”.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Beyond Possible: 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible by Nimsdai Purja
Nims Purja set out to summit the fourteen mountains on Earth that tower at over 8,000 metres above sea level, an altitude that tests the human body to the limit.
Until recently, the world record for climbing them all stood at nearly eight years. Purja summited them all in under seven months. This is an incredible story of grit and determination that also highlights the unsung heroes of mountaineering – the Sherpa people
Buy now £22.98, Amazon
