Etymology: Hiking

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There are many terms that have been used to describe the sport of hiking. Walking, strolling, wandering, sauntering, tramping, ambling, roaming, rambling, traipsing, marching, bushwalking, trekking and backpacking have all been used to describe the act of walking in the woods (or any wilderness area) for pleasure. Perhaps the first term to describe the act of taking a leisurely walk in nature was “rambling”. The word originally meant to wander, or roam aimlessly, but eventually came to describe hiking. The expression was widely used in England through the 19th Century. It was also used in America for a time, though much less frequently. While rambling is still sometimes used in the United Kingdom, it’s now looked at as being an old fashion word. Walking, hillwalking, fellwalking and even hiking are more commonly used now. Fellwalking, a word used to describe hiking in the mountains, comes from the English word fell or fjall, which is an old Norse term that means mountain.

Words used to describe hiking have evolved over time, and differ according to region. For example, in Australia, bushwalking is the preferred term for hiking. Trekking is a term used to describe multi-day hiking in many mountainous regions around the world. However, in North America, backpacking is the preferred term. In Europe, however, backpacking refers to a form of budget travel where travelers normally stay in hostels.

In Victorian England, during the mid-1800s, wandering vagrants were derogatively known as tramps, a word that would eventually refer to hikers, and now used by New Zealanders to describe backpacking. Tramping was also used by some in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including John Muir. Both Henry David Thoreau and John Muir also used the term saunter.

Webster’s Dictionary indicates that the first use of the word “hike” occurred around 1809; however, it had a different meaning at that time. It was originally meant “to move, pull or raise with a sudden motion.” The dictionary implies that it wasn’t until 1865 before the word was adopted to mean “a long walk esp, for pleasure or exercise.” Etymonline.com claims the word hike comes from the English term, hyke, which meant “to walk vigorously.” It also states that the first use of “hyke” appeared in 1809. Additionally, the site quotes a definition of the term from the 1830 version of the Vocabulary of East Anglia: “to go away. It is generally used in a contemptuous sense Ex. ‘Come, hike,’ i.e. take yourself off; begone.”

It appears that the use of the words “hike” and “hiking” as we know them today didn’t become widespread until at least the early 20th Century. Up to that point most clubs used the word “mountain” or “alpine” in their name. It wasn’t until the Wanderlusters Hiking Club out of Washington DC formed in 1910 that the word “hiking” was used in a club name. One of the earliest uses of the term “hiking boots” appeared in the December 1914 issue of Mazama, the journal of The Mazamas mountaineering club out of Oregon. In his book, The Mountain Trail and Its Message, published in 1911, Albert Palmer relayed this discussion with John Muir:

“One day as I was resting in the shade Mr. Muir overtook me on the trail and began to chat in that friendly way in which he delights to talk with everyone he meets. I said to him: “Mr. Muir, someone told me you did not approve of the word ‘hike.’ Is that so?” His blue eyes flashed, and with his Scotch accent he replied: “I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike!”

Perhaps we have a definition of what it actually meant to “hike” at that time. In that same book, Albert said:

“There are always some people in the mountains who are known as “hikers.” They rush over the trail at high speed and take great delight in being the first to reach camp and in covering the greatest number of miles in the least possible time. they measure the trail in terms of speed and distance.”

Over the years the terms that Thoreau and Muir preferred are really no longer in use. Nearly everyone in North America now uses hiking. If past is prologue, however, perhaps that may change some day down the road (path).

In addition to getting out on the trail, what better way is there to celebrate National Hiking Day than by learning about the rich history of hiking? Just think, after reading Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World you could be the smartest person on the trail next summer!!