Hiking vs walking

helyg
helyg Posts: 675 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
When logging exercise, at what point does Walking become Hiking?

I live in rural Wales, and often when I go walking it involves steep hills, forest tracks etc. So harder work than just walking on tarmac or pavements. Should this be counted as hiking rather than walking?

I don't have a HRM so can't track what I'm actually using and am using MFP's estimates.

Replies

  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    If at all possible I would invest in a HRM, I use an Polar FT60 to track my Hike/Walks. The trails I use go from blacktop to gravel, up different elevations and grades. The HRM gives me my truest Calorie Burn number and then I only eat back 85% of those calories burned leaving 15% for error... Best of Luck
  • amberlykay1014
    amberlykay1014 Posts: 608 Member
    To me, walking is just flat ground and hiking is varied terrain and may include a day pack. Backpacking is carrying all your gear on varied terrain for an extended period. That's how I log it anyway. It seems like you are doing hiking -- great exercise!! :)
  • helyg
    helyg Posts: 675 Member
    Thanks.

    Yes, I would be carrying a day sack with water, coat, snacks, possibly a map etc in. I use a lot of the forestry commission trails, so they are often rough underfoot with tree roots etc and go up and down some pretty steep hills. It definitely gets my heart rate working more than just walking to work on tarmac.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Man. You are so lucky. The rest of us would give our right or left genitals to be able to hike in Wales everyday.
  • cersela
    cersela Posts: 160 Member
    Man. You are so lucky. The rest of us would give our right or left genitals to be able to hike in Wales everyday.

    Yes, if there is some sort of genitals for hiking in Wales exchange sign me up.
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Man. You are so lucky. The rest of us would give our right or left genitals to be able to hike in Wales everyday.

    Yes, if there is some sort of genitals for hiking in Wales exchange sign me up.

    I'm extremely jealous but my bits are staying with me!

    I go walking in a big country park with the dogs and if it's a really good stride up and down the hilly bits, perhaps very muddy so it's hard work, then I tended to do it as a mix, half walking dog pace and half hiking with carrying <10. I now have an HRM and I'd say that gave a pretty true reflection for what I'm getting with the HRM. x
  • FootballManaic
    FootballManaic Posts: 11
    Hike!
  • helyg
    helyg Posts: 675 Member
    LOL perhaps I should suggest the scheme to the tourist board!
  • KaidaKantri
    KaidaKantri Posts: 401
    Man. You are so lucky. The rest of us would give our right or left genitals to be able to hike in Wales everyday.

    It sounds like a fun place to hike. But in Oregon where I live, there are tons of great hiking areas where I live that are close. So I love it here. I would not be able to stand living in an area without them.
  • KaidaKantri
    KaidaKantri Posts: 401
    I also have the same issue. I live on a mountain. I have a 20 min to the river walk and back and half of it is going up hills, and half of it is walking on flat ground. I figured I walk at a 2.5 mph pace atm so I log it as a 3.0mph because I know I'm losing more calories than 2.5 mph with all the hills. I figure 3.0 isn't too much more so I actually think I'm underestimating my actual calories burned, which is fine with me. I'd get an HRM to make sure, but money is tight and I don't want a cheap one if I invest in one.
  • KayaSamantha
    KayaSamantha Posts: 157 Member
    If you have a smart phone there is an app called mapmyfitness and its great for measuring your speed, elevation changes (hills), and gives you estimated calories burned. I now have a HRM and the numbers are really close! Best part is this is a free app! :)
  • knb2000
    knb2000 Posts: 29 Member
    If you have a smart phone there is an app called mapmyfitness and its great for measuring your speed, elevation changes (hills), and gives you estimated calories burned. I now have a HRM and the numbers are really close! Best part is this is a free app! :)
    . Thanks. Just downloaded and can't wait to try it.

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