In most scenarios Hiking and trekking appear to be synonyms, how far we can accept it, are they similar. Hiking and trekking are the two activities that most people feel adventurers and enjoy deeply. But is it? Let us clearly discuss the difference between hiking and trekking clearly.
What is Hiking?
Hiking involves a long energetic walk in a natural environment on hiking trails or footpaths for a day or overnight. It is mostly done for fun or pleasure, to reconnect with nature and make a peaceful mind. There will be pre-designed paths like hiking trails and footpaths.
Sometimes it can be an overnight hike or a short day hike. One should be ready to walk for at least 5 hours. For daylight hikes a small pack like a small water bottle, lunch, a pair of socks. For an overnight hike, you might need to bring a change of dress, more food, a sleeping bag, a tent.
What is Trekking?
Trekking involves a long vigorous hike in the wild natural environment for a couple of days. It can be done off hiking trails. Trekking can also be a fun and pleasure activity. Pilgrimages like Kedarnath, Badrinath are also included in the part of trekking in search of spirituality and moral significance. These include cross-country hiking trails, dirt roads, mountain trails, or areas without any roads in complete wilderness.
Trekking can last even for multiple days. One needs to have a pack of a tent, sleeping bag, food, cookware, medication, compass for directions, as long as they reach the destination. Sturdy, hiking boots with ankle support are needed. Trekking can be mentally and physically challenging. You have to be in pretty good health conditions to complete the trekking.
Difference Between Hiking and Trekking
| HIKING | TREKKING |
|---|---|
| Duration | |
| short | long |
| Location | |
| trails, hills, nature | dirt roads, mountains, trails |
| Preparation | |
| comparatively less | more |
| Equipment | |
| shortlist | long list |
| Strength | |
| Requires less physical and mental strength | Requires more physical and mental strength |
| Purpose | |
| Fun, leisure, recreation | Pleasure, spiritual, strength |
| Cost | |
| cheap | high cost |
| Experience | |
| less needed | high needed |
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF HIKING AND TREKKING
- IT HELPS IN GETTING A LOW CHANCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND HELPS IN BLOOD PRESSURE: A study conducted by the CDC recommends that you just walk a minimum of an hour a day, five days per week. This reduces the chance of you having a stroke in half! Hiking and trekking regularly improve your heart and force per unit area, minimizing the prospect of stroke. Keep that blood pumping!
- BETTER OVERALL FITNESS.: These activities do amazing things to your muscles. Build up strength in your thighs, lower leg muscles, hip muscles, and hamstrings. It also builds your endurance. Hiking and trekking are both weight-bearing exercises, which build up bone density. Trekking also boosts your core strength as you hike with an important backpack. The more you are doing, the more your overall strength and fitness improves.
- IMPROVES YOUR MENTAL STATE: Get away from the strain of daily life and escape to the outside. Stress, depression, and anxiety have the way of build-up when you’re cooped up indoors too long. Hitting the trail helps to place your life in perspective and take your mind off your worries. The world around you features a way of demanding your attention, which might ease any stress you’ll have built up.
- HIKING AND TREKKING BURN CALORIES.: Looking to lose weight? Or tone your muscles? Forget the gym and hit the trail instead. Hiking burns between 440 and 550 calories per hour in line with Livestrong’s research. Imagine what number of calories will an overnight hike or week-long trek burns. Burning calories helps you slim and tone your muscles.
- IT CAUSES YOU TO BE CREATIVE.: On top of all the physical and mental boosts, hiking and trekking also can cause you to be more creative. It’s true! Spending time outdoors and soaking all the Vitamin D from the sunlight can improve your mind. Vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin,” increases attention span, and improves our ability to focus. Put an imaginative spin on our problem-solving skills. Vitamin D is additionally great for maintaining healthy bones and teeth, supporting your system, and boosting cardiovascular health.
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