Miles of Kindness: Tales from the Trail

by Susan Alcorn

As Ralph and I backpacked, including traveling to Europe, South America, and Africa, I was heartened to experience trail magic or help from trail angels in one way or another on every major hike we took. It has been a wonderful surprise to meet so many people who would help me reach my goals—and not be expecting anything in return. It has been wonderful to learn that being outdoors doing what I like to do—hiking—would lead me to experiences reminding me of the basic goodness of people. I love being part of this community. I like being reminded of how we can help and support each other. Isn’t this the way life should be?

As you read the stories of the thirty-three hikers who share their stories in the chapters that follow, you’re going to learn how they have found inspiration and comfort from trail angels and trail magic. In Inga Aksamit’s Angels at Hell Hole you’ll learn how she was rescued by eight-year-old Natalie. In Brandon Wilson’s Not All Angels Have Wings, you’ll find that he and his wife, Cheryl, found lodging in remote parts of Tibet by knocking on strangers’ doors and by using sign language and “kuchi, kuchi” or “please” when begging for a place to sleep.

You will notice another common theme in the collection of stories in this book—being helped by a trail angel can be both helpful and inspirational. It can make you want to join a community where sharing, or paying forward, is prevalent—Susan Alcorn—Author/Editor Miles of Kindness.

263 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2026

About the author

I'm a hiker, backpacker, traveler, author, and publisher. After I started backpacking at age 48, I decided to find out about other women "of a certain age" who backpacked. That led to "We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers," which supports women exploring the rewards and challenges of the wilderness.

After hiking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago (2001), I decided to learn more about the ancient trail and then wrote "Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago."

The long-distance hikes have continued--in Patagonia, in the U.S., and on additional pilgrimage routes in France, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland. I like seeing a country on foot--the slow pace of travel allows me to more fully immerse myself in the culture and to gather information for my books. It's also a much less expensive way to travel!

My husband and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where we can enjoy the abundant hiking trails, great music, amazing restaurants, and good weather--as well as our friends and family.

I like going on book tours because I get to go to interesting places and share my passion for travel and long-distance hiking. I love doing presentations -- especially when there's time to meet people who share my interests!