Hiking and trekking both involve walking in nature, but differ in intensity and purpose. Hiking is for recreation on established trails, while trekking is for transportation, adventure, or challenge on various terrains. Trekking can involve porters and pack animals, while hikers carry their own equipment.
In terms of physical movement, there’s really no difference between hiking and trekking, but the activities differ quite significantly in other ways. Both are activities where you walk or hike in the woods, but hiking is done more for recreation on man-made roads or trails, while trekking is done over a variety of terrains as a means of transportation, adventure, or challenge to the body and lies. Both hiking and trekking can be done short distances in a day or two, or a longer distance over the course of several days, weeks, or even months, but the daily routines and activities associated with hiking will be different from those of trekking.
The biggest difference between hiking and trekking is intensity. Hiking is generally an easy to moderate activity, although some backpackers argue that hiking is just as strenuous and difficult as trekking. Trekking, on the other hand, takes place on various terrains; a trekker may travel on roads and trails for part of his journey, but may also traverse undeveloped terrain. He will often need to use maps and orienteering skills to find his way, and must have first aid and survival skills ready for his journey. Hikers generally stick to established trails and do not travel over unmarked terrain.
When trekking is defined as long-distance travel supported by porters or pack animals, the difference between hiking and trekking becomes even wider. Trekking adventures often include people hired specifically to carry equipment, cook meals, pitch tents, and so on over the course of a multi-day trek through challenging terrain. A trekker in this case does not have to bring his own equipment and the activity is much less tiring for the trekker. Compare this to a backpacker on a multi-day trip who has to carry food, clothing, safety gear, and shelter, and the difference between hiking and trekking becomes apparent.
The equipment needed for hiking and trekking will vary based on the activity, as well as the type of trek being undertaken. Trekkers traveling unmarked trails will need durable equipment and will often need the skills to find or build shelter. Hikers and hikers will need a sturdy backpack, hydration system, and fitness to walk the distances they have planned in advance.
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