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Hiking vs. Trekking. What's the difference? Is there even a difference between hiking and Trekking? Or are they both the same thing? Like taps vs. faucets? And maps versus… umm… some other maps?
If you can't answer with certainty, continue reading this blog. Learn about Hiking vs. Trekking and back up your enthusiasm for the outdoors with knowledge of the terms.
Hiking Vs. Trekking- Definition
We'll begin by explaining to you their basic meanings.
Hiking trips typically involve walking, which is always seen as easy, pleasant, and joyful. So, if you happen to eavesdrop on someone about hiking, they tend to talk about a pleasant single or multi-day hike. It is generally stress-free and does not pose any severe issues. So, you can go on enjoying nature on your trail.
"Trek" is an ancient Afrikaans word that usually means "migration." It means leaving your home for several days with your trekking essentials and equipment on your back and sleeping in tents for that duration. It includes varied environments for walking ranging from deserts to mountains. It can include minor issues due to the weather conditions in a particular area.
Differences in Hiking and Trekking
Now you all might have got a little information about the basic difference between hiking and trekking. Here are a few differences that make hiking different from trekking.
Duration:
Trekking: It is generally of longer duration. It takes at least 2 days or can even last more than that. People who usually go Trekking aspire to reach their desired destination by walking thousands of miles.
Hiking: On the other hand, hiking is of shorter duration as compared to trekking. In most cases, when people decide to go hiking, it generally means a few hours of a long walk in beautiful nature. Of course, you can also enjoy overnight hiking; it won't take several days to finish hiking.
Accommodation:
Trekking: Trekking usually takes time, so people who go Trekking never return to their base. They keep on moving without returning to the place where they started.
Hiking: As you all know, hiking lasts for a few hours, or you can experience it overnight. People usually make a mountain hut their base where they stay. So, they go hiking to a different peak each day and return to their base at last.
Trekking: Generally, people choose remote locations with limited access to transportation for this, and such locations are full of outstanding natural beauty. Also, trekking has much more freedom than hiking because you don’t have to go through the trail markings.
You always have the fortune to go through unplanned and unexplored trails like beaches, roads, mountains, and much more. Trekking is the best way to witness untouched serene nature.
Hiking: It is generally done in attractive natural surroundings and hills. These trails are easy to walk on and less dangerous. It is common to use marked trails and travel through mountains, hills, forests, and other natural environments that are familiar to most people.
Trekking: While you go Trekking, especially on hilly terrain, you should have boots, a compass, clothes according to the changing weather, and most importantly, a survival kit.
Hiking: You should ensure whether you want to go hiking during the day or at night. It is because your requirements will be different at night. If you wish to hike overnight, you will need a survival kit, medicines, food, and water. And generally, you will need water, hiking shoes, a compass, and a hiking stick.
Difficulty:
Trekking: It is an activity that requires a different level of effort and is not everybody's cup of tea. It requires physical and mental preparedness and training to go for days without even stopping. As you trek your trail, you will come across different terrains; some might even surprise you with their difficulty level.
Hiking: Hiking is generally considered a leisure activity that gives you peace of mind and calmness. It is preferred by many people. If you have never done hiking, you can still go for it without any fears. In hiking, you can choose the trail according to your physical abilities. You can go on a trail that is the easiest one just to enjoy nature and its surroundings.
Whether you go on trekking or hiking, you should be cautious about your environment and surroundings. As you come to enjoy them, many others will be willing to enjoy nature's beauty, so ensure you don’t ruin it for others. Do not litter, excrete bio-degradable waste, and damage nature by cutting wood and lighting bonfires.
Enjoyment:
In terms of enjoyment, we fail to choose the less enjoyable activity. Both have their own level of enjoyment to offer to the people.
As we have said earlier, hiking is a leisure activity. It will provide you with more relaxation. And Trekking is somewhat a long trip which means longer enjoyment. But still, you will experience a lot of trekking elements on your trail to enjoy.
Benefits of Hiking and Trekking
A study says that people should walk at least an hour a day, reducing the risk of a stroke. Similarly, in hiking and trekking, you have to walk long miles, which helps you stay fit and healthy. As a result, it minimizes the chances of a stroke.
Almost everyone around us is suffering from stress, depression, or anxiety. You should try hiking or trekking to escape to the outside world and connect with nature. It will help you calm your mind and improve your mental health. By this, you will be able to think clearer and better.
Thinking of losing weight? Or do you want to tone your muscles? Then, forget about the gym and start hitting the trail. According to Livestrong research, it is assumed that if you hike for about one hour, you tend to lose 440 to 550 calories. Now imagine how many calories you will burn overnight hiking or week-long Trekking.
Now we have a few things that you need to consider while hiking or trekking.
Trekking- Training and Trips
When you start doing something you love, you are more eager to complete it. That's why when it comes to working out, you should opt for something that you will love to do. Examples include Zumba, cardio, dancing, swimming, and rock climbing.
Once you begin doing workouts of your choice, you will realize that they don't seem like a workout. Another option can be to join walking groups to make it a habit of walking before your trekking starts.
Instead of making notes of the terrain and circumstances you may experience, it is better to try practicing on the terrain that lets you experience the circumstances you may encounter on your journey. The more training you get before your trip, the easier your trekking journey will be. You can also try that with stairs at your home. You can do the sets of climbing up and down your stairs.
So, you must consistently exercise every week, especially the week nearer to your trek trip. You should try to fit your exercise sessions into your daily routine. Still, if you find it difficult, you can add a few exercises in your daily life, such as walking to your workplace.
As you trek the trail, you will be carrying your backpack on the trip. So before going on the trek, try to walk for a few kilometers carrying your bag. It will help you strengthen your muscles and build the stamina required for your trekking activity.
When you go Trekking, your body's energy requirements increase. Therefore whenever you go Trekking, ensure you have well-balanced nutritious food and drink lots of water. In addition, you should have small, frequent meals while trekking. It is the only way your body will remain energized throughout your trip.
Hiking: Training and Tips
To make your hiking experience more enjoyable, you should research the trail before you go. It is not like going through social media and selecting the location you found mesmerizing.
Instead, you should get a map and a guidebook and while choosing the trail, consider a few questions like What's the distance? How difficult is it? The amount of elevation gain? etc. Moreover, you must ensure that the trial is within your and your group's capabilities.
So while you go hiking, you need to ensure that you have enough time to complete your hiking because accidents on hiking generally occur due to hurrying or attempting to hike at night. That is why you should evaluate the distance, and the time it will take you to complete it.
Many sites have rules and regulations to safeguard the natural environment, and the users should have a pleasant experience. So when you choose your trail, check if the trail requires some pass or permit or if you need to have a reservation first. Also, do check if they allow dogs or campfires on that trail.
Your core muscles include your abdominal, back, and pelvic muscles. They tend to provide you with balance and stability. For example, you require a strong core for hiking; to build that, you should try planks, crunches, and bridges.
You should try to practice with a trail similar to your hiking terrain. You can look for locations with different terrain and elevation. Doing this will give you a sense of how your body will react to stress and the areas you need to improve.
Our Final Word
So as of now, you might have clarity on how these two activities differ. So we hope that now you will be able to make a decision about which activity you want to pick.
Any activity you pick, don't forget to carry their equipment along with you. If you want to buy them, look no further than Adventure HQ. We supply quality products for hiking, trekking, or other adventurous sports.
So, go ahead and explore our website and add your favorites to the cart.