A Quick Tip by peterh

Hiking is an outdoor activity that often involves walking along established trails in natural environments, including mountains, forests, beaches, riversides, among others.

While the term "hiking" is understood in almost all English-speaking countries, its usage varies from country to country. For example, in Australia and New Zealand, the action of hiking is often called "tramping," and "bushwalking," or simply "walking."

While almost anyone can partake in the activity, long-distance hiking, or hikes that involve extreme elevation change, often require some degree of physical fitness. Also, while hiking generally has low impacts on the surrounding environment, excessive trail use may lead to pollution, erosion, and the general ecological degradation of the area near trails. Nonetheless, the activity forms the base for many other activities, and is extremely popular among nature enthusiasts throughout the world.