How Many Calories Do You Burn Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

Backpacking is a great way to get active and explore the outdoors. It’s a physical activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of athletic ability. But how many calories do you actually burn while backpacking?

The amount of calories you burn while backpacking will vary based on your age, weight, and the intensity of your hike. A 150-pound person can burn up to 600 calories per hour while backpacking, depending on the terrain and their pace. However, someone who weighs more may burn more calories, while someone who weighs less may burn fewer calories.

Additionally, if you are carrying a heavy backpack or climbing steep hills or trails, your calorie expenditure will be higher than if you are hiking a flat trail at an easy pace.

Backpacking also helps build strength in your muscles and bones as you carry the weight of your backpack for extended periods of time. This resistance training can help increase your metabolism over time and make it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight. The intensity of the workout also helps strengthen your cardiovascular system by increasing your heart rate and improving your circulation.

In addition to burning calories, backpacking has many other health benefits such as reducing stress levels, improving mood, and boosting energy levels. Plus, it’s an enjoyable way to explore nature’s beauty and spend quality time with friends or family.

Conclusion:

Backpacking is an excellent form of exercise that can help you stay fit and healthy in many ways. Depending on your age, weight, intensity level, type of terrain and backpack load, you can expect to burn anywhere from 300-600 calories per hour while backpacking. Not only will it help you lose weight but also provide other health benefits such as reducing stress levels and boosting energy levels.