Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.[1] Religious pilgrimages have existed much longer but they involve walking long distances for a spiritual purpose associated with specific religions.
"Hiking" is the preferred term in Canada and the United States; the term "
walking" is used in these regions for shorter, particularly urban walks. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the word "walking" describes all forms of walking, whether it is a walk in the park or
backpacking in the
Alps. The word hiking is also often used in the UK, along with
rambling ,
hillwalking, and
fell walking (a term mostly used for hillwalking in northern England). The term
bushwalking is endemic to Australia, having been adopted by the Sydney Bush Walkers club in 1927.
[2] In New Zealand a long, vigorous walk or hike is called
tramping.
[3] It is a popular activity with numerous
hiking organizations worldwide, and studies suggest that all forms of walking have health benefits.
