What do you think?
Rate this book
On Sacred Ground: A 7,000-Mile Walk of Discovery into the Heart of Wild Nature
Part Two of the inspiring true story of an extraordinary 7,000-mile wilderness walk.Not everyone would consider a 7,000-mile walk a particularly sensible idea. Especially if it involved living outside for eighteen months, and travelling alone through high mountains and wild forests. But to a young Londoner, the idea made perfect sense...
In May 1997, Andrew Terrill set out on an extraordinary a walk from Calabria in southern Italy to the top of Norway via the highest and wildest route he could find. Seeking freedom and adventure, connection with nature, and a life of meaning and purpose, Terrill chose to take an unconventional path into Europe’s hidden wild side – a slower-paced parallel continent filled with natural wonders.
The adventures that followed in the first ranges he crossed – the Apennines and Alps – are described in The Earth Beneath My Feet . Now, continuing north, Terrill must face the full fury of winter in the remote forests of central Europe, then even harsher conditions in the snowbound wilderness fjells of Norway and the Arctic. Struggling through untracked snow and painful cold, and enduring loneliness, Terrill will confront challenges that will test him to the limit. But if he can overcome them, there are rewards down the trail beyond anything he could have ever imagined.
On Sacred Ground takes the reader on an immersive journey into Europe’s wildest and least-known places. It is a compelling tale of youthful energy and optimism, an old-fashioned adventure yarn from a time before smartphones and social media, and an inspiring true story of connection, insight and growth. Above all, it is a celebration of the natural world - and of a young man’s quest to find his true place within it.
Featuring ninety-four black and white photographs and fourteen maps, this captivating, multi-layered narrative will transport the reader into the wild. Anyone who has experienced the powerful pull of wanderlust, heard the call of the wild, or yearned for travel and adventure, will find a great deal to enjoy.
In May 1997, Andrew Terrill set out on an extraordinary a walk from Calabria in southern Italy to the top of Norway via the highest and wildest route he could find. Seeking freedom and adventure, connection with nature, and a life of meaning and purpose, Terrill chose to take an unconventional path into Europe’s hidden wild side – a slower-paced parallel continent filled with natural wonders.
The adventures that followed in the first ranges he crossed – the Apennines and Alps – are described in The Earth Beneath My Feet . Now, continuing north, Terrill must face the full fury of winter in the remote forests of central Europe, then even harsher conditions in the snowbound wilderness fjells of Norway and the Arctic. Struggling through untracked snow and painful cold, and enduring loneliness, Terrill will confront challenges that will test him to the limit. But if he can overcome them, there are rewards down the trail beyond anything he could have ever imagined.
On Sacred Ground takes the reader on an immersive journey into Europe’s wildest and least-known places. It is a compelling tale of youthful energy and optimism, an old-fashioned adventure yarn from a time before smartphones and social media, and an inspiring true story of connection, insight and growth. Above all, it is a celebration of the natural world - and of a young man’s quest to find his true place within it.
Featuring ninety-four black and white photographs and fourteen maps, this captivating, multi-layered narrative will transport the reader into the wild. Anyone who has experienced the powerful pull of wanderlust, heard the call of the wild, or yearned for travel and adventure, will find a great deal to enjoy.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
523 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 11, 2024
On Sacred Ground by Andrew Terrill is the sequel to The Earth Beneath my Feet and equally outstanding.
How lucky, surprised and amazed I was when I chanced on a mention of Andrew Terrill’s two books about his incredible trek north from the toe of Italy to Norway’s North Cape, “A 7,000 mile walk of discovery into the heart of wild nature”. Intrigued, I bought both books and wasn’t disappointed, far from it! In fact, I was captured from the start by Andrew’s opening sentence, “On the second day of June, 1993, I fell down a mountain…”, and I’m still reading, now well into his second book, and crossing the Arctic Circle, still enthralled by Andrew’s adventures, both the sought and the unexpected.
But how many others, I wonder, have dared to conceive then trek 7000 miles, keeping wherever possible to wild places and by the high ways, not the highways. And these two books aren’t simply diaries of Andrew’s walk, they are carefully and thoughtfully written, sharing his hopes and fears - and there are many of both. Along the way he has, inevitably, good days and bad, and meets people who are often good, but sometimes not. The weather too is not always as hoped for or expected whether on high mountains and glaciers or along the east coast beaches of Denmark - but then weather rarely is and that’s how journeys are and his magical days outnumber the grim ones.
I should also add I was pleased to see that his journey was more than just an immense personal challenge. He was also raising money for two charities for the homeless, The Passage and the Cardinal Hume Centre, to whom he rightly dedicates a page at the end of each book. The two books are, as it says on the back cover of the first book, an inspiring true story of a young man who chose to embrace life and live it to the full, whilst simultaneously raising money for the homeless via these books.
Let Andrew take you in his footsteps, you won’t regret it.
How lucky, surprised and amazed I was when I chanced on a mention of Andrew Terrill’s two books about his incredible trek north from the toe of Italy to Norway’s North Cape, “A 7,000 mile walk of discovery into the heart of wild nature”. Intrigued, I bought both books and wasn’t disappointed, far from it! In fact, I was captured from the start by Andrew’s opening sentence, “On the second day of June, 1993, I fell down a mountain…”, and I’m still reading, now well into his second book, and crossing the Arctic Circle, still enthralled by Andrew’s adventures, both the sought and the unexpected.
But how many others, I wonder, have dared to conceive then trek 7000 miles, keeping wherever possible to wild places and by the high ways, not the highways. And these two books aren’t simply diaries of Andrew’s walk, they are carefully and thoughtfully written, sharing his hopes and fears - and there are many of both. Along the way he has, inevitably, good days and bad, and meets people who are often good, but sometimes not. The weather too is not always as hoped for or expected whether on high mountains and glaciers or along the east coast beaches of Denmark - but then weather rarely is and that’s how journeys are and his magical days outnumber the grim ones.
I should also add I was pleased to see that his journey was more than just an immense personal challenge. He was also raising money for two charities for the homeless, The Passage and the Cardinal Hume Centre, to whom he rightly dedicates a page at the end of each book. The two books are, as it says on the back cover of the first book, an inspiring true story of a young man who chose to embrace life and live it to the full, whilst simultaneously raising money for the homeless via these books.
Let Andrew take you in his footsteps, you won’t regret it.
September 20, 2024
My review of the first book covers a lot of the main points I would say about the second one: incredible adventure and excellently written book about the wild areas of Europe. The second part continues in this vein and more than lives up to the first part.
I won't repeat myself about things that apply to both books, but I will say that this book brings the whole adventure to a very satisfying conclusion. The end to such a long walk and book could have been anticlimactic, a mere winding down or abrupt cutting-off, but Terril really goes all out for the end and it shows! I'll say no more. Read and find out etc. etc.
One thing I'll point out that I don't think I mentioned before is how funny the book often is: not its primary register by any means, but there were a lot of laugh out loud moments sprinkled throughout. And there are also some very touching moments, one in the epilogue particularly got me.
Anyway, If you've read the first book, you'll love this one too! If you haven't read the first book, read it first and come back!
This book and the last are definitely one of my favourite outdoors/adventure books. I'm sure I'll be recommending them for years to come!!
I won't repeat myself about things that apply to both books, but I will say that this book brings the whole adventure to a very satisfying conclusion. The end to such a long walk and book could have been anticlimactic, a mere winding down or abrupt cutting-off, but Terril really goes all out for the end and it shows! I'll say no more. Read and find out etc. etc.
One thing I'll point out that I don't think I mentioned before is how funny the book often is: not its primary register by any means, but there were a lot of laugh out loud moments sprinkled throughout. And there are also some very touching moments, one in the epilogue particularly got me.
Anyway, If you've read the first book, you'll love this one too! If you haven't read the first book, read it first and come back!
This book and the last are definitely one of my favourite outdoors/adventure books. I'm sure I'll be recommending them for years to come!!
Read
January 24, 2024I'm really writing one review for both books here, as I feel that they can't be separated. They both have to be read to get the full experience of Andrew's journey. And as wonderful as the description of his physical walk across Europe is, even more wonderful is his insightful writing about how he grows and changes as the journey unfolds. The books aren't just about long distance walking, but a way of living - both on and off the trail. They genuinely spoke to me in a way that no books ever have before.
May 30, 2024
The second part of two charting the authors incredible physical achievement to walk 7000 miles from southern Italy to the north of Norway.
That’s just a bloody long way by anyone’s metrics by the way.
It is only a shame that such an accomplishment and its charitable endeavours were made pre-internet and the homeless charities being supported didn’t benefit further.
I sincerely hope that with the publication of these wonderful books that both the charities and Andrew’s words of wisdom gain the recognition and support that they so richly deserve.
That’s just a bloody long way by anyone’s metrics by the way.
It is only a shame that such an accomplishment and its charitable endeavours were made pre-internet and the homeless charities being supported didn’t benefit further.
I sincerely hope that with the publication of these wonderful books that both the charities and Andrew’s words of wisdom gain the recognition and support that they so richly deserve.
February 10, 2025
I have read both books by Andrew Terrill, The Earth Beneath My Feet and On Sacred Ground. An incredible trek that lasted a year and a half. You gradually get to know Andrew through these two volumes and become part of his adventure. His descriptions of nature, encounters, inner journey, and growth as a long-distance walker are fascinating. I was completely drawn in and could dream along on his journey. Inspiring and an amazing read. The best trekking book I have read so far. An absolute must-read!
March 20, 2023
A terrific book that makes the reader appreciate being alive
Well written, full of inspiration and honesty. The 7,000 mile journey Andrew Terrill writes about describes inner and outer explorations with wonderful insight, courage and gratitude. I looked forward to every page just like the author looked forward to every step he took from the south of Italy to the north of Norway.
Well written, full of inspiration and honesty. The 7,000 mile journey Andrew Terrill writes about describes inner and outer explorations with wonderful insight, courage and gratitude. I looked forward to every page just like the author looked forward to every step he took from the south of Italy to the north of Norway.
Read
May 28, 2025Brings the frozen wastelands to life
For those who love wilderness, this book is a must. It brings to life the wilderness of Northern Europe and especially Norway. It's a joy to see all many landscapes described and the people within them; and it's inspiring me to find a way to get to the Arctic one summer. Who knew about the Arctic trail!
For those who love wilderness, this book is a must. It brings to life the wilderness of Northern Europe and especially Norway. It's a joy to see all many landscapes described and the people within them; and it's inspiring me to find a way to get to the Arctic one summer. Who knew about the Arctic trail!
April 25, 2025
superb read!
I read both books back to back. I have to say these are some of the best travel books I have ever read. The writing is fantastic stories really excellent and gripping - what an adventure. I recommend these two books to anybody who has wonderlust and outdoor spirit.
I read both books back to back. I have to say these are some of the best travel books I have ever read. The writing is fantastic stories really excellent and gripping - what an adventure. I recommend these two books to anybody who has wonderlust and outdoor spirit.
October 4, 2023
This is a very good book. Andrew writes with humility and accuracy. There's so much to learn and see and you feel right there with him. I love the prose too...Happily I didn't realise this was a sequel so I immediately leapt onto to 'The Earth Beneath My Feet' where it all started.
If you ever break a leg when skiing, get both these books and off you'll go on a fantastic trip. It's also a celebration of being alone and how to behave.
The main thing I'll take is the kindness of strangers and how just one smile can make a loner's day.
If you ever break a leg when skiing, get both these books and off you'll go on a fantastic trip. It's also a celebration of being alone and how to behave.
The main thing I'll take is the kindness of strangers and how just one smile can make a loner's day.
August 28, 2024
I loved this book, it is wonderful escapism, just as the first book was.
Makes me want to get out and go on my own adventures, although not quite 7000 miles lol.
Makes me want to get out and go on my own adventures, although not quite 7000 miles lol.
January 6, 2023
I had been looking forward to reading the continuation of the author's journey north, and On Sacred Ground did not disappoint. The wonderful, descriptive writing draws you in and makes you feel like you are there with him, and his often self-deprecating humor and human interest stories keeps your interest. It's a long book, but I read it surprisingly fast because I didn't want to put it down. I'm so glad the author was able to complete his journey and give me insight into the wilderness if Europe, most of which I will likely never see with my own eyes
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews