Trekking vs Hiking: The Differences

The difference between hiking and trekking is not so distinctive. Both hiking and trekking refer to walking, although the duration, distance and location plays a significant role in making differences between each term. Generally, hike or hiking is an outdoor activity in which solo or group of people walk to a nearby location or viewpoint for a short time or a day. While trekking is walking or multiple days hiking to a long-distance destination that lasts for multiple days. 

Trekking vs Hiking: what’s the difference?

The major differences between hiking and trekking are the duration and destination of walking. The hiking occurs for a short period of time in a nearby location, whereas trekking can be far away from town. Trekking is a long journey to the highlands, mainly mountains, to spend quality time with nature and remote life. A lot of preparation is required for a successful trek. Weather, best time, clothes, trekking boots, permits, accommodation, food, and guidance are major things one should be careful about while trekking. 

Hiking is a short journey to the hills to gain experience and enjoy the peaceful nature and view. It gives refreshment and makes you ready for trekking. People can know their ability to walk uphill and downhill via hiking so that they can choose a destination for a trek. 

Duration 

The duration of hiking is always less than trekking. Typically hiking lasts for 2-3 hours a day whereas trekking can be as long as a month or more. For example: walking to Jamacho Gumba and returning is the best hiking near Kathmandu. It takes three hours to ascend and 1.5 hours to descend. 

Similarly, walking to Everest base camp from Lukla is trekking that requires 12 days to complete. Kanchenjunga base camp, Annapurna base camp, Dhaulagiri base camp and Annapurna circuit are different trekking destinations that require more than 10 days to complete. 

Difficulty

Walking uphill is challenging in both hiking and trekking, even though walking short distance is comparatively easy than long distance. Hiking covers lower elevation and short period of time, so it is less difficult than trekking. 

Altitude sickness is the major difficulty of trekking. After passing the elevation over 3000 m, trekkers may feel headache and weak due to thin atmosphere. In case of bad health conditions, descending to lower altitude would be helpful. Walking slowly, drinking plenty of water would be supportive.

Terrain

The hiking terrain remains well managed and doesn’t cover the higher elevation. The middle hills with forest and open grass land are common trail of hiking.

Terrain of trekking encompasses remote villages, forest, pastures, rocky trial and moraines. The long stone steps, suspension bridges, wooden bridge are common in trekking route to base camps or view points of Himalaya from Nepal.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not necessary for hiking because it involves walking to a certain mountain viewpoint and returning. Whereas accommodation is important for trekking. Tea houses/homestay/hotels are common in developed trekking. Camping is required for remote or untouched places. We should be preplanned about the place and services before planning for a trek.

Gear

Gear for hiking and trekking is same in respect to protect body from sun and rain. The difference is we should carry gear in our backpack based on trekking duration while no clothing is required to pack for hiking. Hikers should carry water, food and rain cover based on availability of food on the route. 

Hikers should carry water, food and rain covers based on the availability of food on the route. We should not make the backpack heavy because it makes difficulty on ascending and descending.

Trekkers should be conscious about packing gear. Two three pairs of clothes, trekking boots, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves, raincoat, sleepers, medicines, water bottles are essential things one should not miss before trekking. 

Cost

Generally trekking is costlier than hiking. Since, trekking takes multiple days and even we have to travel long distances to reach the starting point of the trek, we need more budget for travel, accommodation, food, guide, porter and gears. 

Hiking is budget friendly as it is a short walk which only requires one day’s planning. The cost includes travel cost, food and gear for a day. 

Preparation

Trekking requires good preparation. The trekkers should prepare their bodies for walking long distances for multiple days. Walking for 2 hours a day before three months of trek, hiking to mountains, exercises are common ways for preparation of trekking.

Hiking doesn’t require preparation. Actually, hike to mountain is a preparation for trek. The hikers should wear durable and easy hiking or trekking boots, comfortable clothing, carry some snacks, water bottles and take permit if the hiking spot is protected area. 

Similarities between Hiking and trekking

Hiking and trekking are relative terms that depend on each other. Trekking is multiple days hiking, and a part of trekking is hiking. The similarities between trekking and hiking are as listed below:

Walking

Walking is common for both hiking and trekking. We should walk from starting point to destination and return to starting point to complete both hike and trek. 

Permit

A permit is necessary to enter the restricted area, national parks or conservation areas. If the hiking or trekking destinations are within protected areas, then permit is necessary. 

Travelling

Travelling to stating point of hiking and trekking is common. Driving or flying are common modes of transportation to reach the beginning point. 

Refreshment

Open environment, forest trail, natural view of mountains and landscape are common in hiking and trekking. The natural beauty and far from day to life refreshed all hikers and trekkers. We can enjoy and retain our mind and soul via hiking and trekking.

Conclusion- Hiking vs trekking

Hiking and trekking are relative terms that differ based on walking duation. Hiking is for a weekend plan whereas trekking is for a holiday plan. We require minimum 6 to 10 days to complete one trekking meanwhile hiking could be completed within 3-4 hours. Both hiking and trekking are best for refreshment that drags you to nature and explore its beauty. It is very important for both mental and physical health. We always suggest to do hiking or trekking to be close with nature and inhale fresh air hidden in mountains.