Yesterday, instead of walking my favorite two-mile dirt road that starts behind the golf course and ends at the bay, I decided to veer off on a different trail through the woods. Marked by blue trail markers nailed just above eye level on the trees, this three-mile loop starts at a small parking area just off of a busy road. The trail winds through the woods with some moderate ups and downs, though it is never more than a mile from the road, and only at the farthest point are you fully out of range of hearing the occasional roar of a truck barreling down the road.
Was I walking or hiking? For that matter, is my typical walk down the dirt road a walk or a hike? Is there a real distinction, or is this merely a “you say tomato, I say tomato” situation? Perhaps more importantly, does it matter?
The Difference Between a Walk and a Hike (At Least in the US)
While there is no official distinction, the two words are generally used to describe two different activities, though there is also a whole lotta’ gray in between.
Generally, at least in the United States, “hiking” refers to a relatively long walk on a trail in the countryside taken for pleasure or exercise. “Walking” typically refers to a shorter walk in places other than the “countryside”—perhaps down a city street, or in a park. And, yep, that walk can also be done for pleasure or exercise.
So, what’s the distinction? Perhaps it’s the location: in nature or in town.
Or maybe it’s the intention. A walk may be primarily to get from point A to point B, whereas that hike, well, it may be it is primarily for the purposes of exploring, adventuring or seeking the views from a distant vista.
With intention in mind, does that change how you define your activity? Is your goal to get from here to there? Are you walking to the neighborhood coffee shop for a morning latte? What about walking for fitness and wellness? Where does that fit in?
Yesterday, did I walk or did I hike? What do I call my typical walk down a rarely traveled dirt road? How about my 3-mile loop in the woods? And, more importantly, does it matter?
Oh, the questions!
Trying to fit your walking practice into a box of “walk” or “hike” may just be impossible. And remember, pretty much all walking is good walking, whether you are walking around your suburban neighborhood, hoofing it through the mall to beat the midday heat or spending the day scaling Mt. Washington. Nevertheless, the two words do provide a nice framework to consider how it is you define yourself and how that definition can help open the door of your mind to new possibilities of places to explore.
Let’s call yesterday’s 3-miles trek through the woods a hike. Okay, I’m a hiker. But, I’m also a walker.
Once you see yourself as a walker and a hiker, all kinds of opportunities open to you. Perhaps it’s the chance to take on new challenges, or explore new places. So my advice? Strive to become comfortable taking your walking practice off road. Allow yourself the freedom to explore new terrain, and once you do, begin to consider yourself a hiker. Oh the places you will go!
A final note. These distinctions don’t necessarily apply in other countries. For instance, in much of Europe, a walk could easily refer to a 10-kilometer trek through the Alps, so if someone in Switzerland invites you for a Sunday afternoon “walk,” you probably want to get some details before you commit.
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