Hillwalking vs hiking Editor's note: This article was fully updated in January 2025 with six new reviews added in following another period of testing. Keep reading to learn the nuanced differences between walking and hiking. 4. Jun 28, 2024 · The varying inclines found in nature are why hiking is often listed in calorie calculators as burning many more calories per mile than walking. The Overall Experience 3 days ago · As with boots, hiking shoes come in quite a range of styles and designs, from super lightweight models to heavier, to climbing-oriented approach shoes, to more durable trekking shoes. For this test we have covered three-season hiking gloves – meaning they are broadly suitable for use outside of winter conditions. It seems clear that when you’re hiking, you’re walking on your two feet, but the two different terms exist for a reason, though the line is admittedly blur Nov 14, 2022 · From the number of calories you burn hiking vs walking, the muscles you work hiking vs walking, and how long it takes to walk a mile hiking vs walking, the differences can actually be explored more deeply than you might think at first blush. One of the advantages of shoes is that they're lighter than boots. Hill walking is the activity of walking in hilly or mountainous regions without the need or use of ropes and other special equipment (think the Lake District or Snowdonia in the UK) but is often used as a “catch-all” phrase along with hiking and trekking. Apr 22, 2025 · All hiking clothing, including walking trousers, are subject to many miles of use in the conditions they're primarily intended for. If a walk lasts several hours, you can call it a hike. The volunteers participated in a four-month hiking program in the mountains of Austria, two months of downhill walking for about an hour, three to five times Hiking, or hill walking, on the other hand, is more demanding and involves trekking through challenging terrains like mountains or rough trails, often over long distances and at a faster pace. You know you’re a hill walker when you say: ’That’s not a mountain, it’s only a fell’ (A fell is up to 1,000m high) Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. These popular hiking areas became national rivers, forests, and parks that we see and hike on today. Hiking can generate a lot of positives for your body. The focus is often on connecting with nature and experiencing landscapes that you can't access by car or regular walking paths. Apr 4, 2025 · Sport-specific maps include the Hiking map, which highlights long-distance trails like the Pennine Way and shorter trails colour coded for difficulty, from T1 (no worries) to T6 (Alpine level). Apr 25, 2025 · Hiking Boots vs. Hill walking vs. It requires a good level of physical fitness and sometimes even specialized equipment. Jun 13, 2022 · No answer will ever be conclusive to the question of the difference between Hiking and Trekking, and to think, both of those are walking aren’t they? The aim here is to take a closer look at what the common differences are and some personal views. For UK hiking and hillwalking, look for a jacket with a HH rating of at least 10,000mm. Walking in mountainous areas in Britain is called hillwalking , or in Northern England , including the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales , fellwalking, from In the UK, hiking is often referred to as hillwalking, walking… or rambling. Feb 21, 2022 · Check out my guide to hiking for beginners that will help you find hiking buddies and routes, as well as what to wear and what to bring on a day hike. In this guide to the best underwear for hiking, we share the most comfortable and chafe-free boxer briefs for men. If you feel like longer forms of hiking are for you, get some proper hiking boots, a durable tent and a warm sleeping bag with pad. According to a study by pub-med. Conversely, walking typically requires no specialised equipment besides comfortable shoes. Each style has its respective strengths, and we use them interchangeably for hiking and backpacking trips. Crampons provide traction and security, making it easier to walk on snowy and icy terrain. Sep 25, 2022 · Hiking vs walking – we look at the differences and benefits. Walking for exercise typically occurs in a more urban/residential area. Mar 17, 2025 · Hiking is a highly beneficial physical activity that can help you burn calories. You can hike through forests, mountains, coastlines, or open moorland. Why We Love Them . Many hiking shoes are a low cut version of a boot, so if there is a model of boot you like or own but want more agility, it may have a low cut shoe Jun 14, 2022 · After all, there are any number of synonyms for hiking, from hillwalking and rambling to strolling and sauntering, so is a trek just another word for walking in nature? We take a look at the definitions and characteristics of hiking vs trekking so you know just what kind of adventure you’re going on, and how to plan for it. Hikes tend to be longer than walks and require proper equipment and footwear, as terrain and trails are more rugged. Your preparations can make or break your hiking experience. Let’s read this post to explore right now! As far as environmental differences go, hiking is typically walking at a great distance along a trail. These conditions can present more obstacles than those found while walking. This is a misconception. Mar 11, 2025 · In winter, snow and ice can make movement difficult and hazardous. Mar 31, 2015 · A. But as soon as your hikes start to get more intense, it's time to ante up for a true hiking shoe (or hiking boot), and perhaps even a pair of insoles for hiking. Oct 4, 2024 · As far as hiking goes, sturdy hiking boots or sneakers with a solid grip will do just fine. However, you should be aware of significant differences between hiking vs. 3 days ago · All hiking clothing, including walking trousers, are subject to many miles of use in the conditions they're primarily intended for. Hiking often unfolds on irregular and challenging surfaces such as rocky trails, steep slopes, and unpaved paths through varying landscapes like woodlands, hillsides, and alpine areas. She has a small wrist diameter, so a bigger case size is more noticeable. Here are some of the basics you should know before taking your first steps. Dec 25, 2024 · Hiking, in contrast, demands more specialized gear. Whetger you burn 25,000 calories on a hike or in a pool or lifting weights, your body will need to replace most of them. Sep 9, 2024 · Hill walking also encourages mindfulness as you navigate changing terrain, focusing on your footing and surroundings, providing a meditative element to your exercise. Indeed, most of the time even that much brightness isn’t needed. UK Hillwalking is the fastest growing hillwalking website in the world. You will also want to carry a backpack with water, snacks and light layers. Mar 14, 2024 · The clubs soon started building hiking trails, shelters, creating maps, and all other kinds of resources. Dec 2, 2022 · Hiking and hill walking. Wat Feb 7, 2023 · And, just like ice axes, a range of different types are available, from classic 10-point C1 crampons designed for winter hillwalking and glacier hiking right through to fully automatic C3 crampons with modular front points for technical ice climbing. . Your hiking boots should be waterproof with a good sole and ankle support. And though hikers may cross tougher terrain, walking also features varying levels of challenge. The number of calories you burn depends on factors like your weight and the steepness of the trail. There are many factors to consider, and your choice of glove can have a big impact on your overall comfort on the hills. If you’re taking on some more rugged and rocky terrain, walking poles are a nice bonus. Main image: The Petzl Iko Core won Chris’ Best in Test | Credit: Petzl We've got you covered. Many people use "hiking" and "climbing" interchangeably. Mar 17, 2025 · How to choose the best hiking gloves for you. The waterproof rating of a fabric is usually measured by Hydrostatic Head (HH). Autumn is a great season to get out hillwalking in the UK. For those who find boots a bit restrictive, hiking shoes are the perfect alternative. One of the key decisions in choosing hiking footwear is selecting either an over-the-ankle boot or low-top shoe. 4 days ago · Advantages of hiking shoes vs boots. BREATHABILITY Mar 17, 2025 · We get our hands dirty testing the best hiking gloves 2025. If you can't complete it in a morning or an afternoon, it's a hike; if it requires a substantial elevation gain, or significant areas of challenging ground underfoot/no paths/scrambles, it's a hike. Moreover, outdoor hill walking taps into your body's natural biomechanics, promoting more natural movements that engage your core and improve overall stability. Dec 12, 2024 · More advanced jackets use a 3-layer construction, which sandwiches the membrane between a durable face fabric and a soft tricot backer. Dec 11, 2017 · But Austrian researchers, who put a group of 45 sedentary volunteers on both uphill and downhill mountain hiking routines, found a difference depending on which direction they were hiking. It’s done in nature, so you can’t go on a hike to your favorite restaurant. The German Ramblers Association (DWV) sets the more or less arbitrary limit of one hour. In ever-changeable hillwalking weather, pack a pair of hiking gloves you can count on, say Peter Macfarlane and Francesca Donovan. Both usually involve spending time outdoors and getting your heart rate going. If you're relatively new to walking, we hope that these tips and training suggestions help make your holiday walks a pleasurable and pain-free experience. Dec 11, 2024 · Not so long ago, it was taken as gospel that every hiker needed a big pair of solid, chunky hiking boot to help them stomp over any terrain. gov, the “increased moment and knee flexion angle yield a 3 to 4 times bigger femoropatellar joint compressive force for downhill walking compared to level walking. The trails are generally visible, but not the smooth surfaces of a walk. Here are some top tips to build distance and strength to help you prepare your body for the hills, mountains and trails. Keep reading to see more! Sep 15, 2024 · Come rain or shine, our expert guide to hillwalking kit explains the hillwalking essentials you need for a classic day in the hills. Choosing the right hiking gloves can be tricky. Aug 4, 2023 · Basic hiking gear often includes hiking boots for traction on uneven terrain, a backpack for carrying essentials such as water and snacks, and in some cases, hiking poles for added balance. When we look into the history of hiking, we quickly realize that hiking is an extension of the activity of walking. Any time you gain in the effort will likely be lost (plus additional time) when you are forced to slow down. A central source of information for walking in the UK, as well as trekking and hillwalking further afield Lots of great advice here. Well, yes and no. From a physical perspective, any activity that keeps you moving enables you to burn calories and therefore lose weight. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel. “Both exercises can also prevent risks of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, strengthen bones and muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness levels. ). climbing. Use a tool like Map My Walk while walking outdoors to plan your routes and inclines. We find this app becomes difficult to use when you want to customise your route, as there’s no option of drawing your own route. Get proper hiking boots. Here’s how you can enjoy all the activities. 15 = 1. In terms of hiking vs other forms of exercise, there is not one that is better than another for weight loss. Details include summits and trig pillars along with detailed interactive maps Whereas, my hiking activity has a metric ton of datascreens and fields. The word "hiking" is used in the UK, but less often than walking; the word rambling (akin to roam [3]) is also used, and the main organisation that supports walking is called The Ramblers. With that in mind, hillwalking can consist of short, or multi-day longer, distance routes across difficult terrain. Feb 8, 2024 · Hiking vs. Walking: Purpose and Intensity. For starters, make sure you have essential hiking gear, which includes: * Daypack: A quality daypack is perfect for carrying all your hiking essentials. For steeper trails, like a Class 2 hiking trail, the target grade is 5-18%, max 35%, outslope 5-20%! Going past 15% outslope trails start to feel off-camber, and look it too, as there is almost a 2 inch difference between the inside and outside of the tread on a 12 inch wide trail (12 in. How easy it is to plot a route The snap to path feature automatically ‘snaps, to the most direct path between two points, following existing trails, footpaths & public rights of way I can also plot a route on my laptop/desktop and it instantly becomes available Jun 26, 2023 · If your primary use of shoes is for more casual walks and low-key, flat-terrain hikes, you may be able to get away with a walking shoe or a hybrid hiking shoe for a while. Feb 12, 2021 · What’s the difference between hiking, trekking and walking? In true hiking logic fashion, they all seem interchangeable and have been used multiple times in different scenarios and adventurous trails. Hiking needs to be done on a marked hiking trail that can be a dirt path, a paved path, or pretty much anything other than concrete between buildings. In this guide, we will cover: Mar 7, 2025 · For the average ultrarunner—and definitely anyone flirting with cutoff times—running when you should be power-hiking burns a lot of energy and takes a toll on your system. Jun 14, 2022 · Hiking is indeed walking, but with some added nuanced qualities that make it more challenging, and require different gear (Image credit: bradleyhebdon). There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. May 13, 2020 · 3. Hiking vs walking Mar 5, 2025 · In 2024, Kirsty took her models out hillwalking, mountaineering, rock climbing, biking, and swimming all across Scotland, both within her job as Mountain Leader and on personal days out. hiking: What's the difference? These two outdoor activities sound similar, but they are very different. Search over 450,000 trails with trail info, maps, detailed reviews, and photos curated by millions of hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. This could include leisurely hillwalking through to mountain hiking in mid-winter. by Francesca Donovan Sep 5, 2024 · The characteristics of the landscape are crucial in distinguishing hiking vs walking. Hiking Shoes. The advent of cooler, crisper days heralds invigorating conditions for walking, with clear views and warm autumn light. Dec 20, 2024 · @ohwhataknight_ What is the best app for hiking in the UK? In my experience it’s @@Ordnance Survey and here are 5 reasons why 1. Dec 3, 2024 · Best for users who need strong poles with the versatility of extra tips and baskets for lots of hiking. 8 in. x 0. They vastly outperform micro-spikes in deep snow and on steep ground due to their longer spikes, which bite deeper into the snow, and the front points that can be used for uphill progression. Jul 19, 2019 · Inov-8 Roclite G 275 shoes for hiking review; Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX boots review; Review of Inov-8’s Roclite G 370 Boots; Boots or shoes: which are best for hill walking and backpacking? Tents. Sep 5, 2022 · What’s Hiking? Hiking is a term used to describe activities that are more intense than walking. Similarly, hiking sandals are worth investigating for walking in summer. Compared with walking, hiking is often perceived as the more outdoorsy sport. An example of medium-distance hillwalking routes includes Jake’s Cairngorm and Northern Corries hike and hiking Ben Vorlich post. Our top pick for all-terrain hiking, Montem's Ultra Strong Trekking Poles are incredibly strong, come with tips for different seasons and trail surfaces, and offer a lifetime replacement promise. Things have changed a little in recent years, however, with some people starting to move towards a lighter, nimbler approach to footwear and choosing hiking shoes or trail running shoes instead. This makes shoes less energy-sapping than boots and often makes the wearer feel more agile. Made of aluminum, which is Mar 17, 2025 · How to choose the best hiking gloves for you. You will learn how the length of your underwear can help when hiking and how the different brands/materials perform when really put to the test. But there doesn't seem to be any inherent difference between the two profiles, I think they can both do exactly the same stuff. Hill-walking is an even greater way of losing weight than normal walking as the effort of defying gravity more and climbing an elevation adds to the work required and therefore the calories burnt. Jan 23, 2020 · Test your physical condition by hiking for 5 hours and see if you’re ready to try trekking. Hike: A hike tends to be longer and harder walks, usually on trails through the mountains or through bush or countryside terrain. Feb 13, 2023 · For those who are relatively or completely new to the activity of hill walking, Into The Hills highlights some essential skills you should learn and develop on your trips into the hills and mountains, and provides a reference base of resources for learning the required skills. Beyond sturdy hiking shoes or boots, you might need a trail map, hydration pack, trekking poles, and even outdoor survival gear for more challenging adventures. Tarptent StratoSpire Li Tent for UK conditions review; Tarptent Notch Li tent review for UK conditions; Lightwave S10 Sigma Tent Review (new 2019 Jul 29, 2020 · Yes, Yes and Yes. Mar 12, 2025 · From my testing of the best head torches, I think 200-300 lumens and a beam that goes 75-100 metres is fine for hillwalking. What’s the difference between a walk and a hike? for me, it's terrain or distance. Apart from this, the DWV adds “appropriate planning, the use of specific infrastructure (…) (and) suitable equipment” to the definition of hiking. ” Route statistics, descriptions, photos, and GPS files for a variety of hill walks, hikes, and scrambles across the UK including Snowdonia, the Peak District, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales. In this episode Chris shows you how to use walking poles. Jun 22, 2018 · Walking tips Hill walking is one of the most popular outdoor activities. Which is how it should be, I think, since hiking is basically just walking, but with better scenery However, hiking, by definition, typically takes place in more natural environments. Unlike walking, hiking involves varying elevation, intensity, and arguably more physical exertion (depending on your goal). Minimize Stress Due to the force of gravity, hiking downhill takes significantly more toll on our bodies than other types of walking. Jun 10, 2024 · Last Updated on 10/06/2024 . uulcqadmpaodnaflsqfuwfayrqeqzgsphxmckejqiukimtljmnxdryschcjqfbqazvljiuomdyfzrkrpxsrvwcw