What’s the Difference Between Backpacking and Hiking?

By Robert Palmer

Backpacking and hiking are two similar activities that involve traversing through nature and the great outdoors, but they’re still quite different. Backpacking is an extended outdoor trek that can last days, weeks, or even months.

It typically involves a long distance journey with a heavy pack full of supplies and camping gear. Hiking, on the other hand, is a shorter outdoor trek done in one day or over the course of multiple days. While it may involve carrying a backpack with supplies and camping gear, it usually does not require such extensive preparation or planning as backpacking does.

When going on a backpacking trip, you need to be well prepared for anything that might arise since you will be gone for an extended period of time. This means having a good map of the area you’ll be exploring, as well as adequate food and water supplies for your journey.

You might also need specialized camping gear like a tent or sleeping bag to ensure you have proper shelter during your travels. In addition, backpacking trips often require permits from park rangers or other authorities if you plan to camp in certain areas.

Hiking trips do not generally require such extensive preparation since they are shorter and less involved. You can often get away with just having a basic map of the area along with some snacks and water bottles to get you through your hike. Depending on how long your hike is and where you’re going, it might also be wise to bring along some extra layers of clothing in case of inclement weather or cold temperatures.

Conclusion:

So what’s the difference between backpacking and hiking? Backpacking requires more preparation than hiking due to its longer duration and heavier packs full of supplies and camping gear. Hiking is typically done in one day or over multiple days but doesn’t require such extensive preparation as backpacking does.