What Is the Difference Between Backpacking and Thru-Hiking?

By Alice Nichols

Backpacking and thru-hiking are two of the most popular forms of outdoor recreation. While both activities involve hiking for days or weeks at a time, there are important differences between the two.

Backpacking is usually used to describe any type of extended trip into the wilderness, with a focus on exploring and enjoying nature. Backpackers typically carry basic camping gear and supplies in their packs, such as a tent, sleeping bag, stove, food, and clothing. Trips can range from one night up to multiple weeks or even months. Backpackers often take side trips off the main trail to explore interesting areas or take on challenges such as climbing a mountain or fording a river.

Thru-hiking is an even more extreme form of backpacking. Thru-hikers usually plan to complete an entire long-distance trail in one continuous trip; this could mean completing the Appalachian Trail in one go or walking the entire length of a country’s coast line. Thru-hikers often attempt to complete their hikes within one calendar year, although some may take up to several years depending on the length of the trail and other factors. To do this they must carry everything they need for their entire journey with them – no resupply stops allowed! This means that thru-hikers must be highly prepared and very experienced backpackers before taking on such an endeavor.

Conclusion:

The main difference between backpacking and thru-hiking is that backpacking is used to describe any type of extended trip into the wilderness while thru-hiking involves completing an entire long distance trail in one continuous trip with no resupply stops allowed.