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Jeffrey H. Ryan Hiker Author Photographer Speaker Podcaster Director

About Jeffrey Ryan

Photo of Jeffrey Ryan on PCT 1983. ©2018 www.JeffRyanAuthor.com
Jeffrey Ryan on Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in 1983.


Jeffrey H Ryan is an author, adventurer, photographer, and historian. He has written several books about his outdoor exploits, his fascination with hiking trails and the people and places found just off the beaten path. His debut book, Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year hike on America’s trail (published by Down East Books in 2016), was hailed by the former Executive Editor of National Geographic as “a classic of nature and travel writing” and set off a national tour (in a 1985 VW camper, no less). 

His books are known for weaving a deep appreciation for history into walks across contemporary landscapes, giving readers the feeling they are hiking alongside. When Jeff isn’t trekking, chasing down a great story, or spinning yarns from his keyboard, he enjoys sharing his adventures with audiences who love the outdoors. He spends much of his time in his beloved native state of Maine.

In 1983, Jeff went on his first long-distance hike, a 6-month adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail (see photo above).

Upon returning to Maine from the PCT, Jeff kept trekking. He and a hiking partner climbed Maine’s highest 50 mountains in one year. He then began “section hiking” the Appalachian Trail with his friend Wayne Cyr in 1985 (the journey would take 28 years to complete and culminate in his first book.)

During his research for Appalachian Odyssey, Jeffrey became interested in the history of the AT, in particular, the two larger-than-life personalities most responsible for the Trail’s existence. This led to his second book, Blazing Ahead: Benton MacKaye, Myron Avery and the Rivalry that Built the Appalachian Trail (published in 2017 by Appalachian Mountain Club Books). He continues to write about hiking adventures in an ever-expanding collection of books, including Hermit: The Mysterious Life of Jim Whyte (released in 2019) and This Land was Saved for You and Me (released in 2022).

When he isn’t writing, researching, hiking, or speaking at various venues, Jeff travels North America in his vintage 1985 VW camper.

YearTRIP(S)
1983Pacific Crest Trail
1985 – 1986Highest 50 Mountains in Maine
1985 – 2013Appalachian Trail
1986 – 1990Long Trail (VT)
1987Mt. Saint Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Mount Ruth (WA)
1991Trans-Maine Expedition (ME)
1991*, 1995Taconic Crest Trail (NY, MA ,VT)
1993Wapack Trail (NH)
1995Sunapee-Manadnock Trail (NH)
1995New Zealand (hiking and cycling)
2008, 2013North-South Trail (RI)
2001*, 2005Midstate Trail (MA)
2015 – 2018New England Trail (CT, MA, NH)
2017Return to Mount Saint Helens
2018Tuscarora Trail Sections (VA.WV)
2019Tuscarora Trail Sections (VA)
2020Robert Frost Trail
2021New England Trail
2022International Appalachian Trail (ME)

*Did multiple sections of same trail in years marked with asterisk.