Is it a walk or is it a hike?

Grandsons on the South Rim.

A local bike club is organizing some winter activities, including outdoor ambulation. A question was raised by a potential leader - “Do I describe what I am planning to do a walk or a hike?”

The first time I considered this question was in 2016. My grandsons and I had just finished a Grand Canyon hike down Bright Angel Trail to Phantom Ranch and back, camping two nights in Indian Gardens. It was a challenge for all of us - but quite fun.

On our return, we spent a day on the South Rim visiting on foot museums, scenic vistas, shops, etc. along the paved trail that hugged the rim. When I told 15-year-old Paul that I enjoyed the day’s hike, he scoffed, “That was no hike; it was a walk!” I didn’t argue, but I didn’t really give it much thought either.

So when the question of whether an activity is a hike or a walk came up again this week, I did a bit of online searching. As usual, there were a lot of opinions. Many had similar criteria:

• How long is the activity in both distance and time? Walks tend to be shorter in both distance and time spent. I’m sure most of us can think of exceptions, but walks are usually less strenuous.

• How fast is one moving? I usually walk about 16 minute miles, but am happy on rugged hikes to do two miles an hour. The energy burned on hikes usually comes from climbing, balancing, and carrying on hikes, not speed.

• What kinds of surfaces will be encountered? Walks are often on paved, flat surfaces. Hikes are usually on trails with elevation change - sometimes extreme, requiring scrambling up near vertical inclines. Roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces are all a given on hikes. 

• Is special equipment like boots required? Walks tend to be done in the shoes one wears for day-to-day activities - tennies, sandals, loafers. For hikes, boots of some sort are recommended, although trail runners, hiking shoes, and other less bulky footwear is ever more popular. I often use poles on hikes.

• Is a pack involved? Hikers often take a pack, even on day hikes, carrying water, snacks, and a first aid kit. (Although I did encounter “hikers” in the Grand Canyon carrying only bottles of Coke and wearing sandals.) Walkers are usually free of packs.

• Is it in an urban or natural setting? When I think of taking a walk, I envision sidewalks and traffic and buildings. Hikes require a more natural area - often a park or wilderness area. 

The trip to Phantom Ranch on the Colorado River was unarguably a hike. And perhaps Paul was right, our day spent along the Rim might have been better described as a walk. 

Just before writing this, I went out for my Sunday morning exercise. I went to a county park. I went a shade over four 18.5-minute miles. The majority of the morning was spent on dirt trails, with a few lengths of service roads. The path was fairly flat, but there were a few hills - none that required scrambling or even stopping for breath. I wore hiking shoes and did not carry a pack. Walk or hike?

My advice to the bike club members in telling others about a planned activity is to worry less about calling it a hike or walk and do a good job actually describing it. “We will be going around Lake of the Isles at a fairly fast pace. Good shoes are required. Anticipate approximately 3.5 to 4 miles total.” Those hardy souls for whom this description sounds pretty leisurely, may call it a walk; for those who may see this as more challenging, they may call it a hike.

Bill Bryson ironically titled his book about hiking the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods. I’ve heard a friend say he was going to “hike” down to the store that was two blocks away. I suggest practicing empathy and tolerance toward those for whom the definition of a hike or walk may be different from your own.