Hiking vs Walking

[megawalker]

Is it just a question of environment--woods vs roads? I moved from a very hilly area to the flatlands and I feel a real difference. I'm able to go further and build up more muscles on the flatlands but I'm wondering if I should find a hiking trail nearby (I assume it goes through woods).

[Ilovelife]

I would think you would build more muscle in the hilly land. I find that it is easier to cover more distance over flat land, than hilly land.

[oldsarge]

I like the options of hiking off trail to give me the wide assortment of terrain.

[megawalker]

Does it count as hiking if it's on hilly streets or am I just a hilly street walker. (So to speak-lol). Do you build up ankle muscles if you're walking over roots and stuff like that or would I just be in danger of spraining an ankle?

[WillaMarie]

I'm not expert on any of this my any means but I think just walking on uneven ground can help build up leg muscles. Even walking on the beach in the sandy area or along the water's edge should do it. So, yes walking over uneven land should help. (but do be careful of tripping!)

[briansnat]

If your goal is fitness only, I would think that uneven ground and ups and downs would be better than flat ground.

[dinosaur]

Originally Posted by Ilovelife

I find that it is easier to cover more distance over flat land, than hilly land.

Here's someone who has never slipped, fallen on their butt and slid down a hill after a heavy rain.

[Ilovelife]

I would say you are a hilly street walker. To me hiking isn't about the hills per say. You could hike across the plains if you wanted to. I think it just denotes the terrain is more nature like.

[Grandpa]

This is walking

[IMG][/IMG]

This is hiking


[IMG][/IMG]

[megawalker]

Grandpa-that picture looks good enough to walk right into. The irony is that if I want to walk in a place like that I'd have to find a place that I could take a bus to.