Backpacking is a great way to explore the outdoors and get some exercise at the same time. It can be a strenuous activity, so it’s important to know how many calories you’re burning while backpacking.
The number of calories you burn backpacking depends on several factors, including your weight, the amount of time spent backpacking, and the terrain. If you weigh around 150 pounds and are backpacking for an hour on relatively flat terrain, you can expect to burn roughly 300 calories.
If you’re carrying a heavier pack or walking over more challenging terrain, that number could be even higher. A 180-pound person might burn up to 360 calories in an hour of moderate backpacking.
Backpackers who are carrying heavy loads for longer distances will burn more calories than those who are only out for a short stroll. This is because your body has to work harder when carrying extra weight and walking on uneven terrain.
A person weighing 150 pounds might burn nearly 500 calories in two hours if they’re carrying a heavy pack and walking up steep hills or mountains. But if they’re just leisurely hiking on flat ground with a light load, they may only burn around 400 calories in two hours.
It’s important to remember that calorie burning isn’t the only benefit of backpacking; it also helps build strength and endurance in your legs, arms, core muscles, and cardiovascular system. So even if you don’t hit your calorie burning goals during each outing, you can still reap plenty of other health benefits from an enjoyable day out in nature.
Conclusion:
How many calories a day do you burn backpacking? It depends on your weight, the amount of time spent backpacking, and the terrain but generally speaking someone weighing 150 pounds would expect to burn about 300-400 calories per hour for leisurely hiking on flat ground with a light load or up to 500 calories per hour with a heavy pack and walking up steep hills or mountains.