hiking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hiking" is correct in written English.
You can use it to refer to the activity of going outdoors for a long walk or journey, such as through a park, countryside, or mountain area. Example sentence: We went hiking in the woods and enjoyed the peacefulness of nature.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you are hiking, cycling or running to work, a rucksack makes more sense than a briefcase.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Made in Dagenham Shifty The Firm Vera Drake All Or Nothing Made in Dagenham Doctor Who Made in Dagenham The Sweet Smell of Success Hearing that Sally Menke, Quentin Tarantino's editor, had died last week after hiking in a canyon on a sweltering day in LA, was a bitter irony.

The Guardian - Film

But I will be hiking in sections [at the UTMB] for sure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The latter is more popular with Argentinians than foreign visitors, but the quaint towns of Junín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura are good bases for camping, hiking, trout fishing, horse riding and quad biking.

The Guardian - Travel

It will be wrong to claim that walking, or hiking as it used to be called, was invented in the Peak District.

The Guardian - Travel

Hiking across it, I passed bleak, scruffy slopes and a lake of cheerless grey.

The Guardian - Travel

To explore the anniversary in an active fashion, try hiking Shakespeare's Way (shakespearesway.org), a 146-mile waymarked trail between Stratford and London that's thought to follow a similar route to one the great writer took between his birthplace and the Globe Theatre in the 16th century.

The Guardian - Travel

"Sometimes they'll be just under the soil, mimicking someone who was buried in a shallow grave; or they might just be placed on the surface, because we do sometimes recover missing persons who might have been hiking and become lost and perish," she said.

The Guardian

He went hiking every day, and I'd watch for him coming back at dusk and it only struck me after a few days that he might be a substitute for something – that nightly family feeling; that sense of expected, and fulfilled, return.

The Guardian

A holiday, hiking across the hills, is good for the hiker and good for the environment, It is not the landscape alone, but the ease with which the landscape can be seen which makes the Peak District special.

The Guardian - Travel

The evening was spent in eating and talking about hiking routes in the Sierra.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "hiking" experience, use vivid language to capture the sensory details of the environment, such as the sounds of nature, the smells of the forest, and the feel of the terrain underfoot.

Common error

Avoid using "hiking" interchangeably with casual walking. "Hiking" implies a more strenuous activity in a natural environment, while walking can refer to urban or less demanding settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hiking" is that of a gerund, often used as a noun to describe the activity itself. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hiking" correctly describes the activity of walking in natural environments for recreation or exercise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical accuracy and widespread use. This guide has provided insights into its usage, semantic relationships, and potential pitfalls. As an active verb or noun, it is useful in several ways from travel advice to ecological commentary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hill walking

Focuses on the terrain rather than the activity itself, implying steeper landscapes.

trail walking

Highlights the use of established paths or trails for walking.

trekking

Suggests a longer, more challenging journey, often in remote areas.

nature walking

Emphasizes the connection with the natural environment during the walk.

rambling

Implies a leisurely, unstructured walk, typically in the countryside.

bushwalking

Commonly used in Australia and New Zealand, referring to walking through the bush or wilderness.

fell walking

Specific to walking on fells (hills or mountains), particularly in the UK.

backpacking

Involves carrying gear in a backpack while hiking, often for overnight trips.

long-distance walking

Focuses on the distance covered, implying a significant amount of walking.

orienteering

Combines hiking with navigation using a map and compass.

FAQs

How is "hiking" different from walking?

"Hiking" generally refers to walking in natural environments like mountains or forests and often involves more strenuous activity. Walking can refer to any form of ambulation, including in urban settings.

What can I say instead of "hiking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "trekking", "rambling", or "hill walking".

Is "hiking" always an outdoor activity?

Yes, "hiking" specifically refers to walking in natural environments, typically outdoors. If the activity is indoors, it would simply be referred to as walking.

What equipment is typically needed for "hiking"?

Common equipment includes sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, a backpack, water, and navigation tools such as a map and compass or GPS.