John McKinney

Every trail tells a story.

For more than four decades, John McKinney—known to readers as The Trailmaster—has explored California on foot, discovering not only its finest hikes, but the remarkable stories found along the way.

The award-winning author of 30 books, John is the only writer to have visited—and written about—all 280 California State Parks. For 18 years he shared his adventures as the weekly hiking columnist for the Los Angeles Times, inspiring readers to lace up their boots and discover California one trail at a time.

His books range from bestselling hiking guides to acclaimed narratives. In Hiking on the Edge, he chronicles his 1,600-mile walk along the California coast. Hiking the Holy Mountain recounts an unforgettable journey through Greece's Mount Athos that became a story of faith, miracles, and the adoption of his son. Whether writing about a neighborhood path or an epic pilgrimage, John believes that the best hikes are measured not only in miles, but in what they reveal about nature, history—and ourselves.

A passionate advocate for parks, trails, and conservation, John has written more than a thousand articles and essays, led hikes throughout California and beyond, and worked with park and conservation organizations to encourage people to reconnect with the natural world.

Today, through books, films, public presentations, and his Hike On newsletter, The Trailmaster continues to invite readers to explore California differently—to look beyond the scenery, discover the stories hidden in the landscape, and remember that every trail tells a story.

Hike on!