How Many Calories Do I Burn Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking is one of the most beneficial activities for individuals looking to stay active and stay healthy. Not only does it provide a great way to explore new environments, but it also provides an opportunity to burn a lot of calories in a single outing.

The number of calories burned backpacking depends on several factors, including the terrain and weight of the backpack.

Hiking on flat terrain uses less energy than hiking up and down hills or mountains, and carrying a heavier backpack also burns more calories. The more difficult the trail is, the more energy required to complete it. An average person hiking for an hour on flat terrain can expect to burn between 200-400 calories, while someone carrying a heavy pack and hiking up hills can expect to burn 500-600 calories in the same amount of time.

The intensity of your hike also plays a role in how many calories you will burn while backpacking. If you are pushing yourself hard while out on the trail, you can expect to burn even more calories than if you were taking your time or stopping frequently. Depending on your level of fitness, an intense hike could result in burning 800+ calories per hour.

The weight of your pack is another factor that needs to be taken into consideration when determining how many calories you will burn backpacking. Heavier packs require more energy to carry around and could add an additional 300-500 extra calories burnt per hour. If possible, try to trim down your pack weight as much as possible so that you can get an even better workout while out on the trail.

Conclusion:

How many calories you burn backpacking depends largely on the terrain you are hiking through, as well as how much weight your backpack carries and how intensely you hike. On average, an individual can expect to burn between 200-400 calories per hour while out backpacking on flat terrain with no added weight and 500-600 calories per hour while carrying a heavier pack and hiking up hills or mountains. With increased intensity, even more calories may be burned.