Silly question but for you, what is the difference between a walk and a hike? Is it paved roads vs dirt roads or is it more about going over some rough and hilly terrain?
On Sunday I went for a walk/hike in our state forest. The main road is packed dirt and stone. I did venture off the beaten path and went over some slightly hilly, rocky terrain. I did not go up any large hills. What would you call it?
I think I like being able to say "Yup, I went for a hike" but I don't want to exggerate if that's not the case.
That's kind of how I define it too: a walk is on a paved trail, and a hike is a dirt one. Hiking, in my mind, requires paying more attention to wear you step and getting balance each step, but walking (on a trail) is pretty consistent.
I walk more often than I hike, due to time/location constraints, but I almost always prefer hiking.
In terms of just day to day lingo then yes I'd say what you did was considered a hike. In that instance I'd say anything off terrain is a hike.
However, if you are counting it towards exercise, I'd lean towards calling it a walk. For me hiking, for exercise, needs to include hills or mountains when you're going to be sweating a bit more.
Idk, I think it's considered a hike especially if you went off the trail! If I have to walk around I definitely hike around, there's more nature and I love the different challenges!
I also feel a hike is a longer (miles + time) trip. I went on a hike yesterday, finally found a park with trails that I'm not balance beaming along to try to keep out of poison ivy. Woohoo. I brought 2 of my dogs and they got to go swimming, I even waded in the river a bit, it was great. I was really only planning to go a short ways until I found a place for the dogs to swim but ended up being out about 3 hours.
Location: Houston, Tx, but Missouri in the summer on the lake.
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I walk all the time. I take long walks 3 times a week year round. I only "hike" when I am going up a hill. I rarely really hike. I hate snakes & spiders. I am surrounded by them in Missouri.
Cool! Thanks everyone...I was leaning towards calling it a hike but I guess I needed confirmation.
I actually did see one snake, just an itty bitty guy but I still stopped in my tracks and sucked in my breath. I also helped a turtle cross the road at the entrance. Gotta love living in the boonies.
I don't think a hike means you're out for a long time because why does that matter? The only thing that makes it a hike is that it's terrain versus pavement. It doesn't have to be hilly to be a hike. A walk is on pavement, a hike is in nature.