If you are thinking about taking the family out to the great outdoors, then you may be at a loss of which activity to do. Hiking, trekking, and backpacking are very similar. In their simplest form, they are a sort of walking outdoors, but there are some big differences between them. Let’s check them out!
Hiking
First of all, we will start off with hiking. Some people and dictionaries define hiking as simply a long walk, or a long walk outside in the countryside. While this is true, hiking has definitely taken on more of a complex definition over the years. To put it simply, a hike is yes, a long walk. However, it all depends on the length and complexity.
A walk outside is a walk outside. Hiking definitely needs some form of trail that you can navigate. Usually, you find people hiking in the woods, on hills, or even in mountains. Most of the time, hiking is actually done for fun, not for extreme exercise or discovery. The trails are also a big contributor. Hiking trails are often already established and divided into three difficulties: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. While you can go hiking in uncharted territories and unestablished trails, it’s best that you hike in places and on trails most hikers already go on.
The length of the hike determines that it’s a hike. You’re not going to be hiking for several days with food and camp and tents. A hike usually lasts up to a few hours or overnight. If you can do it in under a day, then it’s a hike. If not, then it’s something else we will get to later. Because of the short hike time, the distance itself will also be reasonable. Usually, hikers go up to 16 miles (25 kilometers) for a full-day hike, assuming they hike 2 miles an hour for 8 hours.
Regarding the trails themselves, a hiking trail needs to have some sort of challenge to it, like uphill climbs, some steepness, obstacles…etc. Depending on the difficulty level of the trail, you will always find something along the path.
Benefits of Hiking:
- Fitness: Hiking will definitely enhance your fitness, most notably your cardiovascular health and leg muscles. If you want to lose weight or gain endurance for long walks, this will definitely do it for you. Short hikes several times a week can really impact your health positively and even replace sports or gym time.
- Clarity: There is something about walking in nature that just helps clear your head and make you calmer. Hiking, either alone or with family, can help you relax and disconnect from the stress and worry of everyday life. It’s just you and the trail.
- Family Bonding: Because hiking is mostly for leisure, it’s a fantastic way to spend some quality bonding time with your family as you traverse the trails together. It’s safe enough so you don’t have to worry about something happening, and you will all have fun.
- Mental Benefits: Even though it’s for leisure, it still has enough challenges to keep your mind sharp and well-exercised. As you figure out the trails and obstacles, you will be getting stronger AND smarter.
Trekking
Now that we have covered hiking, what about trekking? Trekking is actually a form of hiking or it’s quite similar to it, with some more extremity. While hiking takes only a few hours, trekking can go on for very long periods of time. It may take you a few days and you will definitely have to prepare.
On a hike, you take with you the usual: Water, some snacks, maybe a battery or flashlight. However, on a trek, you need a lot of food, water, and supplies that will last you a couple or more days. You can even sit down and cook, yourself or with a group. Be it through camping or rest areas, you will definitely have to stop and rest or sleep along your trekking journey.
A trek is easily defined as an entire journey where you have several destinations. For example, you go from forest 1 to forest 2 and then after your rest or sleep, you go from forest 2 to mountain 1…etc. Think of it as an adventure, like what our ancestors used to do, but this is more for discovery and the thrill of the journey itself rather than a leisure trip or quick exercise. Some people even trek as a pilgrimage, or for religious or spiritual reasons.
As for the trails themselves, there are really no rules, as long as it’s outdoors or in nature. While hiking trails are established, trekking paths are usually much harder, longer, filled with obstacles or challenges, and take far more effort to cross. Trekking is usually done on harsh and extreme trails like in Asia or Africa. This means that you need to have some experience with long walks or hiking in the first place to attempt your first trekking journey.
Benefits of Trekking:
- Exploration: The no. 1 benefit of trekking is the sheer amount you will experience. You will see so many different places, people, and even cultures if you are planning on trekking outside the country. You may meet other trekkers or communicate with different people.
- Independence: By independence, it’s really more survival. When trekking, you will have to get used to a lack of luxury and comfort. Even though you may have people with you, you may find yourself sleeping in uncomfortable places, having to eat or cook food that’s not as hot and fresh as you would like it to be, and staying in very complex and sometimes isolated areas.
- Disconnection: If hiking takes you out of your everyday life for a few hours to relax, then trekking will disconnect you from your entire life. You will be on a complete journey away from work, home, and maybe even friends or family.
- Fun: Let’s be honest, all of this sounds very hard, but it also sounds incredibly fun. Everyone wants to go on some sort of adventure and this sounds like the perfect fit if you are a little bit bored of your everyday dinner outing and want to try something completely bananas.
Backpacking
As for backpacking, you don’t need to go through so much pain. Backpacking can literally be done by simply packing your backpack with all you need, and going off into the world. Most of the time, backpacking is done around Europe or North America. You can go from county to country or city to city, with a mix of walking, transportation, and even hitchhiking.
Backpacking is also done alone. On a hike or trek, you might have a group with you, but with backpacking, it’s just you, your bag, and the places you are going to. With backpacking, you have some more leisure, as you can explore towns and cities, and even visit some restaurants or stay in a motel or anywhere indoors. Still, you need to do some time in the wilderness and do some camping to get the full experience.
The backpacking trails are really just anything. You can go into the wilderness, go on normal pavements, or walk wherever you like. The whole point is to explore alone, so wherever the journey takes you, it’s fair game.
Should I Take My Family Hiking, Trekking, or Backpacking?
Now that we have outlined all three, it’s clear that hiking is the clear winner to get your family started on grabbing the adventure of the outdoors.
It is easy to start, it requires little equipment, and there aren’t any advanced skills or knowledge needed.
Hiking is relatively simple and easy for kids to do, and you will face minimal problems or concerns if something goes awry.
Once your family has been hiking for a while, it might be time to move on to either trekking or backpacking – depending on the skills and interests of your family.
What Gear Do I Need?
All three activities will need similar gear, but how much of it is the real question. With hiking, as we’ve mentioned, you don’t need much. You just need some comfortable shoes and socks, comfortable clothes, your hiking staff, and some food and water.
With backpacking, you will need all you can fit into a backpack. This includes clothes, food, hygiene products like a toothbrush, and extra of everything. Trekking may have you need the most, with an abundance of food, cooking utensils, hygiene products, survival tools, and supplies to last you several days, and all you need to survive in harsh conditions and trails.
Takeaway
Overall, hiking, trekking, and backpacking are excellent choices for some fun and exploration. All three will take you to places you’ve never seen before, facing nature and its might, disconnecting from the ever-complicating modern life with its technology and dependence on it, and you will have the time of your life meeting so many different people. For yourself, a backpacking trip will have you facing the world with just a backpack on your shoulder, like a drifter just taking in the experience. For trekking, you will do what our great, great grandfathers used to do: Conquer nature and find yourself within it. With hiking, it’s a simple and quick exercise or activity that you can do with the entire family for some fun and health.