If you are an adventurer who loves being outdoors amidst the gigantic mountains by the side of a flowing river, then you are familiar with the buzz terms, hiking and trekking.
However, what do you think about hiking and trekking, and are they the same thing?
Don’t worry, because we will discuss hiking vs trekking in detail by looking into their similarities and differences.
The good news is we won’t bore you with the bookish definition; instead, we’ll highlight the difference in preparation and required gears for the two adventures.
What Is Hiking?
Hiking is more famous in Chile, Hawaii, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Europe.
It is usually done for pleasure or fun in order to reconnect with nature and calm the mind.
Consider it as a nature walk, which can be strenuous depending upon the environment.
It's a short and sweet moonwalk adventure, so you won't need to camp or sleep in the wild.
The distance is usually from four kilometers to 50 kilometers, and one should be able to walk for at least five hours.
A hike also follows a well-marked trail on hills or natural forests and. For instance, you can hike along with the flat land, mountain terrain, rolling hills, or anything in between.
The main idea of such a hike is to enjoy natural scenery while walking along the hiking trail curves along the mountains.
On the other hand, hiking along the rocky, steep trail or inclined terrain will surely test your physical strength.
Other factors also determine the hike's difficulty level, including the condition of the path, climate, and altitude.
It also always has a starting and an ending point with small stop-overs in between if required.
What Is Trekking?
Trekking is a favorite activity in the Andes in South America and the Himalayan foothills in Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan.
In terms of what does trekking means, it is an elaborate journey on foot with a planned itinerary over a couple of days or even more than a week.
The distance varies between 50 km and 24,000 kilometers and is definitely mentally and physically challenging.
That is especially since one should be able to walk for seven hours or a few days in a row.
As such, you would need to camp in nature during the nights and then continue the journey the next morning.
It is done for pleasure with a particular destination, and on cross-country hiking trails, dirt roads, and mountain trails.
With trekking, you may or may not follow a trail, so you need to prepare yourself well to endure the trek's unknown hardships.
Trekking vs Hiking: The Similarities
The similarities of trekking and hiking are the main reasons people get confused between the two.
That's why it's important to make a note of them before we discuss their salient differences between trekking vs hiking.
Walking on Foot
Based on information as to what does trekking means and what does hiking means, the first similarity is that you complete both activities by walking a set distance over a predefined time duration.
Health Benefits
Both hiking and trekking have enormous health benefits related to exercise and improved heart health.
Trekking more than 20 miles on a flat section of the Florida Trail or hiking for seven miles through the Colorado Mountains will surely improve your overall health.
The following are the specific health benefits associated with hiking and trekking:
- Lowers the risk of heart disease and improves blood pressure
- Enhances overall fitness by building up strengths in thighs and lower body muscles
- Improves mental health to reduce anxiety and stress by reconnecting with nature
- Helps in burning calories up to 440 to 550 calories per hour during a hike
- Better vitamin D production and increased attention space and ability to focus
Hiking vs Trekking: The Differences
We have laid the foundation by giving you an overview of what is trekking and hiking.
Now, let’s walk you through interesting facts related to the difference between hiking and trekking.
Physical Preparation
The first and basic difference between trekking and hiking is physical preparation, which means you need to be in a reasonable shape to survive a hike for a day.
On the contrary, you need intense training to complete a seven- or ten-day trek in the mountains, deserts, or jungle.
For example, you need to develop a basic skill set of base jumping, canyoneering, and other adventure activities.
Time Factor, Intensity, and Uncertainty
Yes, time is one of the biggest differences when it comes to hiking vs trekking.
A hike can usually last for half a day to a full day at max, while a trek comprises a well-defined itinerary along a more changing terrain.
The intensity is also directly proportional to the duration and the selected terrain.
Generally speaking, trekking is considered more intense than hiking because of the unmarked or unknown paths you trek.
As mentioned, hiking is meant to enjoy the natural beauty while walking at an average pace, so you find different hiking trails with signposts.
On the other hand, the trekking paths are unmarked, meaning you can be walking on a lush green hill at one moment and then climbing the rocky mountains the other day.
That is why uncertainty is the beauty or surprise element in trekking.
Approachability and Destination
Both hiking and trekking are demanding activities that engage your physical strength.
Since trekking is longer than hiking, naturally, trekking becomes a strenuous exercise.
There is a difference between hiking and trekking approachability because of the selected routes and trails.
For instance, you may not have a predefined path in the case of a trek, and you may be climbing different mountains to reach the destination.
We don’t want to use the word “safer” for hiking because hiking on the steep rocky mountains isn’t safe or comfortable.
Packing
Now that you know the fundamental difference between trekking and hiking, let's talk about what you should pack for each adventure.
- Hiking
When hiking, all you need is a smaller backpack with necessary things such as healthy snacks, chocolates, energy drinks, and a water bottle.
You can also pack an umbrella or raincoat so that you've something to keep you warm and dry when it starts raining.
Lastly, a hoodie or a warmer is a good item to include in your pack if you are hiking on a mountainous trail.
You may or may not bring extra clothes with you on a hike.
- Trekking
A full-size backpack is a must-have for trekking to pack all your clothes and required gear.
You should be extra thoughtful while packing since you don't want your backpack to be too heavy on your shoulders.
The extra clothes required during the trek depends upon the weather and atmosphere.
For example, if you trek in the tropical area, be ready to sweat or face an unexpected heavy downpour. So, keep a raincoat with you no matter what.
Equipment
Your hike or trek is incomplete without proper gear items, so you should invest in good-quality equipment.
Don’t worry; it’s a one-time investment for your future adventures.
- Footwear
You should always select comfortable, waterproof hiking boots or trekking boots with ankle support to keep your feet protected from environmental elements.
For easy hiking trails, you can wear waterproof and durable hiking shoes or sneakers.
- Backpack
You can choose a light day backpack for hiking that can carry basic essential items.
However, you require a 50 to 60L backpack for longer treks to carry more clothes, food, and a tent or sleeping bag.
For both adventures, though, the backpack should include a waist belt and adjustable back support for you to stay comfortable and pain-free.
- Tent
Apparently, you won't usually need a tent for hiking, but it serves as your accommodation during the trek.
You can opt for a three-season tent during a warmer season, while you would need a tent with a skirt, which can withstand rain, snow, and rain during the winter season.
- Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag is a necessity when you plan to go on a trek, and you should consider your comfort temperatures before buying one.
Typically, there are three numbers for each sleeping bag: comfort, limit, and extreme.
Comfort is the temperature at which a female can rest, while limit ensures comfortable temperature for males.
Lastly, extreme is designed for low temperature so that a female can sleep for six hours without any risk of hypothermia.
- Others
Other essential items include a compass, maps, and a GPS device. In addition to that, you can carry hiking poles or walking sticks depending upon the trail.
You can also bring sunscreen, bug spray, emergency thermal blankets, toilet paper, plastic bags, a first aid kit, a camera, and binoculars.
Conclusion
As a traveler and nature lover, you can experience both hiking and trekking. That’s why it’s essential to establish a basic understanding of their difference and similarities.
If you are a beginner, you can start your adventurous journey by hiking on weekends.
Once your body adapts to the natural terrains, you can scale up your hiking game to multi-day trekking.
After all, trekking is somewhat more challenging than hiking based on three things: time, distance, and terrain difficulty level.
In this way, you’ll get ready and prepare yourself accordingly for both of these adventures.