The Difference Between Hiking and Tramping and Trekking and Backpacking

What is the difference between hiking and tramping and trekking and backpacking?

Hiking and trekking are activities that involve walking some distance in the outdoors, typically through beautiful and interesting scenery, usually involving carrying at least a small pack with items such as snacks, water, rain gear, a compass and a small first aid kit.

In New Zealand hiking is called tramping, while in other countries it may be called bushwalking.

A hike or a tramp can last from a few hours to a few days and is generally on marked tracks from point A to point B, or in a loop. Detailed maps may be available with estimated travel times, level of difficulty and interesting facts about the area. On longer hikes food and equipment, sometimes including camping gear, is carried in back packs.

Some longer hikes or tramps may have designated camp sites or overnight huts where walkers can share accommodation with fellow hikers on the same route. This can be particularly useful if you are new to the area, giving you some useful inside knowledge.

A trek is usually over a long distance to explore areas of unique scenic beauty, on tracks that may not be marked on maps and across often difficult terrain like mountains. Trekking may be the only means of transport in that area and require greater survival skills and equipment than hiking. Trekking is particularly popular in Nepal, India, Pakistan and in the Andes in South America.

In some countries trekking is also known as backpacking.

In other countries, backpacking involves carrying your clothes and belongings in a pack, and may involve walking, but that walk may be as short as the walk from the bus to a hotel. The term has become synonymous with low cost independent travel. Historically many young people set off with a small budget on travels to other countries, living out of a back pack e.g. around Europe or the USA. However these days such budget travelers with back packs can be of all ages including retirees who want to make their money go further by staying in budget “back packer” accommodation on their trips.