Walking Versus Hiking

Q. Can you clear up the difference between walking and hiking!!!

When does a walk become a hike and when does a hike become a walk!!!

Insurance companies tend to differentiate between the two and place hiking into a different category which they insist is more dangerous.

I thought the word hike maybe an Amercianism.

Thanks

Janis Ryall

A. My English dictionary says that 'hiking' is walking a long way for pleasure in the countryside - that is to say that walking is just one of the criteria which defines a hike.

My personal opinion is that people use both terms - and others such as 'rambling' - and mean the same thing. I never say that I'm going for a hike, for instance, even if what I am about to do fits the definition. I always go for a walk. I think this is quite a good name for a website by the way....

Mike Knipe, Crook

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