Hiking
An internationally beloved way to get active
Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the
countryside. "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. In New Zealand a long, vigorous walk
or hike is called tramping.
It is a popular activity with numerous hiking organizations worldwide,
and studies suggest that all forms of walking have health benefits.