Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the
countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the
eighteenth century. 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. 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.