What’s the difference between hiking, trekking and walking?

In true hikeology (hiking logic) fashion, they all seem interchangeable and have been used multiple times in different scenarios and adventurous trails.

I used to say that beware of “walkers on these trails” when I have been corrected multiple times that the word “walkers” refers to people taking a casual stride forward in paved road not really used for trails or unpaved terrain.

This got me wondering how these terms can lead to confusion and different classification of what constitutes hiking vs trekking vs walking.

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Also Read: 10 Best Doable Mountains To Climb In The World

Hiking Vs Trekking Vs Walking: What’s The Difference, Really?

What’s the difference between hiking, trekking and walking?

To put things into perspective and understand the difference between walking, hiking and trekking, let’s provide a formal definition from the Cambridge dictionary.

Hiking: “The activity of going for long walks in the countryside.”

Trekking: “The activity of walking long distances on foot for pleasure.”

Walking: “The activity of going for a walk, especially for pleasure.”

There’s no clear distinction on what separates each activity from one another other than the universal theme of going for long walks and doing it for pleasure.

How do we define what’s long and what’s pleasurable? What about strides, route, path and effort?

There’s definitely more to this than a textbook definition.

After years spending time in nature and taking up walking, hiking and trekking, I do have a clear idea of what this all entails.

Walking

At the risk of sounding like a basic child’s textbook, walking is simply a physical exercise than can be done on pavement and doesn’t require any equipment or physical fitness.

It is typically slower than hiking and trekking, and it is often done as a quick way to get some air or walk anywhere with minimal exertion, at the most an elevated road.

It is also the first form of exercise before people often begin running, hiking or trekking.

Walking is a great way to sharpen your senses, trim your waistline, get started with any fitness journey and also get to know your city!

Hiking

Hiking, on the other hand, is all about being in nature, in unpaved trails and uneven terrain that is often more than two miles but kept to short trips within a 6-8 hour duration.

When I think of hiking, it is mostly one-day adventures with daypacks and without all the excess equipment.

I also see as a journey into the wilderness with plenty of time to look at nature, animals, trees, birds and a way to push yourself and experience the rush of accelerated walking but “in the woods.”

The terrain is often uneven and requires mental effort for you to keep going and believing that the journey is worth it!

Although it is not as intensive as back to back hiking like trekking, it still is a total body workout that can lower your risk of heart disease, improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, boost bone density and most importantly improve your mood!

Trekking

Known to be intensive and far more arduous than hiking, trekking can be classified as any activity that involves a multi-day trek through forests, mountains and in nature.

If the trail is particularly long and often a backpacking mix trekking process, then it is called thru-hiking.

Think the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in Wild by Cheryl Strayed or even hiking in the Himalayas where treks are never for one-two days due to the sheer nature of the mountains in that side of the world!

Trekking is one step-up from hiking and not too far away from mountaineering once you learn the technical skills!

With a trek, you’re also expected to carry sleeping bags, down jackets and sometimes a tent! It all comes with the adventure of being in the wild and spending days in the shadow of the mountains.

You’ll nail how to sleep comfortably in a tent and wake up to views of rolling landscapes under the stars!

Some of the multi-day treks that can be visited are trekking in Central Asia Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, the Indian Himalayas in India, more Himalayan adventures in Nepal with the highest mountains or volcano trekking in Mount Rinjani.

There are some awesome treks in Europe too that are great for your senses and scenic views!

How To Determine If You Want To Trek, Walk or Hike?

Hiking vs trekking vs walking - how do your differentiate?

Understand levels of exertion

If you’re going for a stroll for some quick air, walking is effortless, easy and just a way to get your body moving!

The next level is how much energy are you burning and this would be determining factor between choosing to hike or trek.

As you hike for a day, you’re likely to push yourself and put in all you have got since it is only a day trek but with trekking, pacing is everything and preparation of how your body will get the proper nutrition as you trek through scraggy paths and scramble through rocks and roots.

What Scenarios Can You Walk, Trek or Hike

Walking

On the beach
In the park
Neighbourhood walk
Grocery run
The hill near your house
For companionship

Hiking & Trekking

Wooded trails
Uneven terrain with rocks and streams
Interesting routes
Plenty of flora and fauna
To understand nature and animals

Also Read: 18 Best Hikes in Europe: Wild, Offbeat and Trail-worthy

Equipment for Hiking, Trekking & Walking

If you are looking for a day hike packing list and wondering what to pack from the best sleeping pads to the best backpacking tent, take a look at the following equipment list.

Hiking on the trail comes with some preparation and one key thing is to bring a mosquito repellent to try and avoid mosquitos and ticks for hikers.

If you’re hiking with your family, additional hiking gear for kids may require some advanced planning but nothing too fancy!

Walking Equipment List

Hiking Equipment List