So, you’re into getting out into the woods? Do you want to go hiking and trekking ? Welcome to the club! I think the name “the krazy trip” already says a lot about us. Here we like the chills down our spines, the fear of the unknown, the challenge, the intimacy and solitude with nature… But do you know what we like most? Facing and overcoming all of this .
But, my friend, if you came here thinking that you would be sure about what hiking and trekking are , I want to tell you something: there is no consensus. Here we will only present our vision.
SOME DEFINITIONS
If we want to know the meaning of something, there’s nothing better than using a dictionary, right? Maybe not. Check out the free translation or via Google Translator of the definitions of some terms, according to the Cambridge Dictionary .
HIKING | WALKING
The activity of walking long distances on foot for pleasure | The activity of going for long walks in the countryside.
TREKKING
The interest of strolling lengthy distances on foot for delight.
BACKPACKING
The interest of traveling or going camping even as sporting your clothes and different things which you need in a backpack
BUSHWALKING | WALK IN THE BUSHES
The activity of walking through the bush (= a wild area of land) | The activity of walking through the bush (= a wild area of land)
The definitions didn’t help much, did they? That’s because I didn’t even include the term mountaineering, which we briefly described in a series about the vertical universe . But you can see that, with the exception of backpacking , they all have something in common: the activity of walking.
The fact is that there is probably no definitive consensus on what is hiking and what is trekking . If you search the internet, you will find the most diverse opinions, including one that says they are all the same thing .
But since we are not here to confuse you, but rather to guide you, we need to be objective and take a stand. Let it be clear that we are not making any decisions, just offering you our vision. So, to start the conversation, let’s briefly define what each thing is:
- Hiking
Walk along a route with greater comfort; - Trekking
Walking along a route with greater freedom.
Ready? Great! But if you don’t agree… One thing we can’t deny: regardless of what they are, they both involve walking .
WHAT IS HIKING
Let’s assume that hiking is the practice of walking along a trail with greater comfort. What does that mean?
This means that you probably won’t need to camp along this trail. If you need to spend more than a day there will be hotels and support available. You can probably carry a smaller backpack, since you won’t need any overnight gear or cooking equipment.
The trails may already be marked and perhaps even guided. This does not mean that the trail will be easy or not physically demanding: it may be short, long, a circuit, or end in the same day or not… But, following this line of reasoning, it does mean that you will be able to count on some kind of infrastructure for your adventure, without having to worry so much about getting around on your own.
WHAT IS TREKKING
Let’s also assume that trekking is a walk along a route where you have more freedom.
You will deliberately sleep in the field. This means carrying a larger backpack, with more equipment: tent, bag, etc. You will have more autonomy, and so will your responsibility. The risk of accidents is greater, and therefore more preparation is necessary. In short, trekking means walking and camping in the middle of the forest.
CONCLUSION
You may not agree with the way we define hiking and trekking , but more important than defining and separating the categories is spreading best practices.
And when we talk about outdoor sports, one word is clearly important: safety . So, differences aside, the most important thing here is that you prepare adequately for your walk . Regardless of whether it is going to be hiking or trekking . Therefore, it is important that you, as necessary:
- Study the route;
- Find out about your infrastructure;
- Research the region’s fauna and flora;
- Plan the duration of your expedition;
- Bring the appropriate equipment;
- And take all other appropriate measures!