What does hiking mean? How is it different from walking?

If you found my article, you are probably wondering “What is hiking? » Where “What is the definition of hiking? »

When someone says they’re going for a hike, what exactly do they mean? How is hiking different from walking?

When I started this blog, I had been hiking for almost 15 years. I was sure I knew what the hike meant.

Note: This article was originally published in January 2014

Looking back, I had a very narrow definition of what hiking was. Maybe it was even a little elitist.

Through this blog, I realized that hiking can mean different things to different people (and can differ by geographic region).

Since I see people asking “What counts as a hike?” Where “What defines a hike? » lot, I thought I’d take a moment to share both the general definition of hiking and how I determine whether I’m hiking or walking.

What is hiking?

When I think of hiking, I imagine walking on a sidewalk on a surface like dirt, sand, or rocks.

I also envision the path having some elevation gain, either undulating up and down or climbing steadily until I reach a specific destination.

I am also considering a longer activity, both in duration and distance.

I joined the 52 hike challenge last year and in an effort to count towards the challenge goal, they defined a hike as anything over 1 mile.

For beginners and beginners, this can be a suitable distance.

However, for the more experienced, a hike is usually much longer than that.

Personally, I generally consider anything within 3 miles a walk.

If it’s less than 3 miles, at my pace, I’ve barely been out an hour. I also don’t feel like it raises my heart rate enough.

A great thing about hiking is that you learn to define what hiking means to you.

While there are some commonalities, one person’s definition of a hike may be different from another person’s.

My personal definition of hiking includes:

• It’s in nature and on a gravel surface dirt

• It has an elevation gain/loss of at least 200 feet per mile and/or is a “long distance” hike over 3 miles

• It elevates my heart rate and involves more work than just walking (ie not easy to hold a full conversation while walking uphill)

• This requires the use of hiking shoes and absorbent, quick-drying clothing (as it likely involves sweating)

• It has natural feature as destination – waterfall, lake, peak, abandoned mining camp etc.

What is the difference between hiking and walking?

People often wonder how hiking is different from walking.

Some definitions of walking are:

• Move at a steady pace by lifting and putting down each foot in turn, never having both feet on the ground at the same time

• Move by putting one foot in front of the other, letting each foot touch the ground before lifting the next one

• Getting around or walking for exercise or pleasure

Technically, hiking also meets these definitions – putting one foot in front of the other to travel by land for exercise or pleasure.

Also, the criteria I talked about in the section above – being on a natural surface, gaining elevation, and going more than at least 3 miles – are things that can be achieved by someone who just went for a walk too.

Considering these elements, I fully understand how difficult and confusing drawing the line between walking and hiking can be.

So what is the difference between hiking and walking?

Really, hiking is just walking, but it’s a slightly different way with different clothing and gear (more on that later).

Some things that make a hike different from a walk include:

• Walking is usually done in an urban environment where the path is partially or fully paved or on a well-worn constructed path

• Hiking generally requires more effort than walking, as the terrain on the hiking trails is more difficult

• More supplies need to be carried on a hike due to the duration and increased risk involved

As a more “formal” definition of hiking, Wikipedia says this:

“[Hiking is] a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and appreciating the landscape. He usually takes place on trails in rural or wilderness areas.”

Benefits of hiking over walking

Both walking and hiking are low-impact cardiovascular exercises.

They share some similar health benefits:

• They can help improve your cardiovascular system, lungs and heart
• They can help you manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• They can help you manage blood sugar, glucose tolerance and type II diabetes
• They can help you lose weight

Hiking is like walking on steroids. Everything is amplified, including the benefits.

There are, however, several additional benefits to hiking over walking.

The benefits of hiking include:

• You burn more calories while hiking
• Hiking can help tone and strengthen your leg and core muscles
• You get more hikes in the fresh air (because you’re away from the smog of the city and usually out longer)
• Hiking can help you feel more connected to nature
• Hiking can be a form of active meditation that clears your mind (one is more likely to get into “the zone” on a hike)

How many calories can you burn hiking?

Since many people are getting into hiking these days for fitness and weight loss, I am including this information.

Hiking certainly burns more calories than walking, but the number depends on several variables such as your weight, your gender, the duration of the hike, the terrain and the weight you carry in your backpack.

Although you can burn around 100-200 calories per hour of walking, you can easily double that number on a hike.

If you’re carrying a heavy pack and the terrain is steep, you can burn over 500 calories per hour!

For example, I currently weigh 180 pounds and carry a backpack that weighs 10-15 pounds.

My typical hiking distance is 5 miles round trip and includes both up and down (either uphill to destination or downhill or hilly terrain).

On an average hike, I burn about 530 calories per hour.

If I walked, even if I walked at a brisk pace (faster than I normally walk), I would only burn about 360 calories per hour.

If you want to know how many calories you would burn per hour of hiking, use this calculator.

Additional gear you’ll need for a walk or hike with your dog

When walking, you often only need shoes and a jacket for yourself and a leash, harness and poop bags for your dog.

You will need to take more with you on your hike.

You will need stronger shoes for hiking

When hiking, you will be traveling over more rugged terrain, often with rocks and dirt, and sometimes with obstacles that you will have to navigate.

This means that you will need different shoes.

The main differences between hiking shoes and walking shoes are that hiking shoes or boots provide more support for your feet and ankles and the tread in the sole provides better traction.

You will need to bring layers of clothing

You will be away longer than you would for a walk.

The average hiker, depending on the slope of the terrain, travels 1.5 to 2 miles per hour.

That means you can expect to be out for about 3 hours for a 6 mile hike, not including breaks.

The longer you go, especially in the mountains, the more likely the weather will change significantly from when you started.

This means you should bring clothes for you and your dog that you can layer so you can add more if the heat is needed and take the layers off if you get too hot.

You will need to bring food, snacks and water

When you go for a walk, you usually plan to get home before you get hungry or thirsty.

Even if you bring water to keep you and your dog hydrated, it’s usually a small amount.

When you’re out longer, you’ll need to schedule meals and snack breaks to keep you energized and in a good mood (without feeling hungry).

You and your dog will also need more water because you will exert more physical effort and lose water through sweating and breathing.

You will need to take equipment and supplies with you

When I take my dogs on a hike, here are the items, at a minimum, that I take with us:

• Backpack to carry everything
• Enough water for me and my dog
• Collapsible water trough for my dog
• Food and treats
• Leash and harness
• poo bags
• An extra woolen shirt
• Extra woolen socks (in case mine got soaked and could be used as gloves in an emergency)
• Rain jacket (optional, depending on the weather forecast)
• Dog jacket (and extra light coat if he already wears one on a hike)
• Small first aid kit including dog specific items
• Headlamp
• Map (digital uploaded as on Alltrails)
• Sunscreen and/or large spray, depending on the season
• camera (optional)
• Garmin InReach Satellite Messenger and SOS beacon (optional)
• Trekking poles (optional)

For a more detailed list, see my other article: What I bring on a hike with my dog

If you’re just starting out, don’t make these rookie mistakes when hiking with your dog.

Also check out my etiquette tips for hiking with dogs.

Conclusion

Hiking is not that different from walking in many ways.

However, there are important differences.

Hiking can burn more calories and provide health benefits beyond what walking can – both physical and mental.

With the added challenges of hiking, including being in the elements longer and often farther from urban areas, however, one needs to be better prepared.

If you go hiking, with or without your dog, be sure to bring the minimum essential supplies to be comfortable and handle minor emergencies.