15 Types of Hiking You Must Know Before Plan

If you’re a hiker, chances are you love hitting the trail, roaming in nature, and chasing that sense of freedom. But have you ever considered what types of hiking you prefer?

From short strolls to months-long expeditions, hikes vary widely in length. Each has its own unique experiences, challenges, and connection to the natural world.

Whether you do it for fun, health, or adventure, we appreciate being aware of the various types of hiking available. We will look at 15 of the most types of hiking and help you determine which one might be the best fit for you.

Day Hiking

Day hiking refers to short and easy hikes that can be completed in one day. These hikes are usually a few hours in duration and do not require heavy gear or overnight camping.

All you need is a small backpack, which should include water, some snacks, sunscreen, a first aid kit, and maybe a rain jacket or trekking pole.

Day hikes are a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels, whether you are a beginner looking for some fresh air or a seasoned naturalist with limited time.

You can set out in the morning and return before dusk, leaving plenty of time for other activities.

On a day hike, you can take in forests, waterfalls, mountain views, and wildlife experiences that might require days on a longer trek with minimal effort.

It’s a wonderful way to stay active, refresh your mind, and connect with nature at a time that suits you. You don’t require a guide for most day hikes, which in turn makes it very easy and budget-friendly.

Best place in Nepal: Shivapuri National Park, located near Kathmandu, offers full-day hikes with stunning city and forest views on quiet jungle trails.

Backpacking

Backpackers do what hikers and campers do, but they do it for an extended time. You leave with what you take: a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, food, and cooking gear, all of which go on your back and accompany you throughout the trip.

You do not return home at the end of the day. You make do with what nature provides for the night.

Backpackers may spend anywhere from several days to weeks on the trail. It requires independence and careful planning for meals, water, and energy.

This sort of hiking takes you to very remote areas away from the crowds and roads. It allows you to really connect with the mountains, rivers, forests, and starry skies.

Backpacking is a challenge at times with the heavy pack, but it is also the most rewarding way to experience the great outdoors.

As you learn to live simply, you may begin to see beauty in the small things, such as a warm fire, a quiet sunset, or that pack of your favorite instant noodles after a long hike.

Best place in Nepal: The Annapurna region’s Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a great choice for beginners, offering amazing tea houses and breathtaking mountain views.

Thru-Hiking

Thru-hiking is the act of walking out a long-distance trail from start to finish without breaking. These trails may be hundreds of kilometers long. It may take from weeks to months to complete.

Thru-hikers live on the trail, camping or staying in shelters, and resupplying at small towns and villages as they go. It is a physical and mental challenge that requires careful planning and determination.

Through the experience of thru-hiking, what you get is a transformational journey. You pass through various landscapes, cultures, and climate zones. Each day brings a new challenge, which may be sore legs or rainstorms. At the same time, you build up strength and confidence.

You connect with other hikers, form bonds, and feel deeply at one with nature and yourself. It is a trial of patience and strength, from which you emerge a better person having completed it.

Best place in Nepal: The Great Himalaya Trail is the best long-distance walk in Nepal, stretching the full length of the country through remote and scenic mountain areas.

Section Hiking

Section hiking offers flexibility compared to thru-hiking. Instead of tackling an entire trail at once, choose segments based on your available time and energy.

You can hike sections in summer, then another in fall. It’s perfect for busy people or those with limited time off.

You experience long-distance hiking at your own pace without doing it all at once. Section hiking allows you to savor each part and plan accordingly based on weather and fitness.

It is also a great way to gradually increase your hiking confidence and explore different regions within a country. Some section hikers begin with a friend or family member by their side and, in the end, go on to do it alone.

Best place in Nepal: You can complete sections of the Annapurna Circuit, which we divide into segments, such as Besisahar to Manang or Jomsom to Tatopani, depending on your time and interests.

Summit Hiking

Summit hiking is, for the most part, a pursuit of reaching the peak of a mountain or a point that marks the summit.

While some summits demand ropes and ice axes like true mountaineering, many can be reached with strong fitness, thorough preparation, and the right equipment.

Trails may be difficult and challenging at times; however, the reward is reaching the top, which provides panoramic views in all directions. That sense of accomplishment is hard to beat.

These are for people who seek out challenges and set themselves a goal, such as standing on that mountain. You will push your limits, face changing weather conditions, and at times feel very tired midway up, but once you reach the top, the effort is worth it.

Summits are usually climbed in one day, but some require an overnight stay or even a two-day hike, which is determined by the height.

Best place in Nepal: Pikey Peak in Solukhumbu is a great summit hike that features views of Everest and other Himalayan giants, and it is not too crowded.

Base Camping

Base camp style hiking is a type of multi-day hike where you set up a main camp, which serves as your base camp, and then explore nearby trails or areas for the day.

You don’t bring all your gear with you every time you go out. Instead, you leave the heavy stuff at the base camp and only pack what you need for that day’s hike.  

Base camping is popular with mountaineers, photographers, and families as a central, safe haven after each adventure.

The base camping gives you that ease and flexibility, which is great. From one base camp, you can go on many hikes without having to set up and break down the tent every day.

You can live in the moment, take it easy on days when you need them, and explore the nearby views or lakes.

Some hikers will have a fire which they tend, prepare their food, and lie out under the stars before retiring for the night. This is more restful than backpacking and great for extended stays in a single beautiful location.

Best place in Nepal: The best place in Nepal is Everest Base Camp Trek, a top destination where trekkers go to acclimatize and explore nearby treks and views, such as Kala Patthar.

Urban Hiking

Urban hiking allows you to explore cities on foot, revealing natural spaces, history, art, and everyday life from a fresh perspective.

You walk through what may be a forest of tall buildings instead of trees, past sites of historical importance, through modern art installations, in and out of the city’s green spaces, and into the nooks and crannies that make up its culture.

It is a fun and easy way to discover the lesser-known areas of a city while increasing your step count. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes, a water bottle, and a little curiosity.

This hiking appeals to travelers, residents, or anyone exploring culture and history in a physical way. You may visit squares, markets, riverbanks, or trails to viewpoints or religious sites.

Urban hiking is a great way to slow down and truly experience the city. It allows you to get some exercise while sightseeing.

Best place in Nepal: Kathmandu is an excellent destination for urban hiking. Try the route from Thamel to Swayambhunath, and visit Ason Bazaar. Also, climb the steps to the Peace Pagoda in Pokhara.

Bushwalking

Traversing raw tracks in unspoiled nature. It is peaceful at times and rugged at others, which also includes navigating dense vegetation, crossing river fords, and, in some cases, encountering wildlife.

Bushwalkers should have proper maps, strong navigation skills, and safety awareness, which is especially important if the trip is to a remote area. These hikes range from short walks to full-day or overnight trips.

In a very present and yet separate way, you will experience the isolation, which is beautiful, and at the same time be surrounded by the sounds of birds, the rustling of wind in the leaves, and the sound of running water.

It is a wonderful method to distance yourself from the world’s noise and, at the same time, feel a deep connection to nature.

Best place in Nepal: In western Nepal, around Rara Lake, you will find something that is almost like bushwalking but very isolated, quiet, and in large patches of unspoiled forest and wilderness.

Scrambling

Scrambling is a blend of hiking and rock climbing. You climb over rocks, steep slopes, and ridgelines with your hands and feet at times, but you do not use ropes or technical climbing gear.

It is a step above regular hiking but below full-scale climbing. It requires great balance, grip, and confidence in steep terrain.

Scrambling offers dramatic views and access to remote peaks that average hikers miss. It’s thrilling and rewarding but also requires a very careful approach, especially when trails are wet, snowy, or exposed.

Proper gear, a good sense of direction, and knowing your limits are key. For thrill seekers that love to scale rocks and reach great heights, this is the activity.

Best place in Nepal: The path to Yala Peak (in the Langtang region) is of moderate difficulty. We consider a great option for adventure seekers looking to step out of their basic trekking routine.

Desert Hiking

Desert hiking means traversing some of the world’s most intense yet beautiful and, at the same time, quiet settings on Earth. We travel through dry, arid areas that receive very little to no rain and are typically a mix of sand, stone, and dramatic cliffs.

The sun is very bright; the sky is open and far, and the wind is usually dry against your skin. At first glance, a desert may appear lifeless, but it is full of what we term hidden treasures. You can see in form of colorful rock formations, rare plants, ancient fossils, and animals like lizards or wild camels in some areas.

In deserts, the main issues are heat and a lack of water. We recommend that hikers bring a large supply of water, wear breathable, full-coverage clothing, use sunblock, and plan routes to avoid the peak heat. However, despite the issues, desert hiking offers an unparalleled solitude and beauty.

At sunrise and sunset, the sand and sky are painted gold and orange, which gives a magical feel.

Best place in Nepal: Nepal doesn’t have true sand-dune deserts, but Upper Mustang offers an arid, high-altitude desert feel with rocky outcrops and open valleys.

Winter Hiking

Winter hiking is a unique experience, one that involves walking through a quiet forest blanketed in snow or climbing a hill with snowcapped peaks that glisten in the distance.

The cold air is brisk, your breath turns to fog, and the ground crunched under my boots. In winter, hitting the trails gives you a magical snowy spin. All things move more slowly, quietly, and peacefully.

In winter, it’s wise to take precautions and prepare carefully. Layered clothing, waterproof boots, gloves, and perhaps trekking poles or ice spikes are necessary.

In the winter, the days are short, the temps drop, and the weather is very fickle. However, with the right preparation, winter hiking can prove to be one of the most rewarding adventures.

At this time, you’ll see the mountain views at their best and the trails will be almost void of other hikers.

You get to experience the snow in its purest form, frozen lakes, and then later curl up at a warm teahouse.

Best place in Nepal: The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is ideal for winter hiking, as it is safe, scenic. It provides stunning sunrise views over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

Coastal Hiking

Coastal hikes evoke dreams of ocean paths, routes tracing rugged shorelines, sea cliffs, sandy beaches, and coastal villages.

You are surrounded by the sound of breaking waves, seagulls flying above, and that cool sea breeze against your face.

Trails will take you to rough cliffs, onto sandy beaches, through fishing villages, and past lighthouses and tidepools. This is the most beautiful and relaxing kind of hike.

Coastal hikes may allow you to rest, watch the sunrise over the sea, or cool off in the water after walking.

However, do take care of tides and slippery rocks, which can be an issue on cliffside paths. Also wear good shoes, sunscreen, and a hat.

Nepal lacks coastal areas, but it has tranquil lakeside and river walks that offer peaceful experiences.

Best place in Nepal: Around Phewa Lake in Pokhara, go for a hike or head to the quiet Begnas Lake for a walk. They both offer up beautiful lakeside paths, boat rides, and peaceful village views.

Glacier Walking

Glacier hiking is a breathtaking adventure, walking across ancient rivers of ice high in the mountains.

The glaciers are vast, frozen areas characterized by crevasses, ice caves, and blue ice walls.

To safely walk on a glacier, you typically require specialized gear, such as crampons, ropes, helmets, and, at times, the company of an experienced guide.

It is tough and remote, which is what makes glacier hiking so unforgettable. You feel as though you’re in a different world. Each step takes you through thousands of years of frozen history.

As you tread the glacier, you can hear it creak and groan.

Best place in Nepal: The Khumbu Glacier, which leads to Everest Base Camp is the best one. You walk along and over parts of the glacier. One gets close to the base of the world’s highest mountain.

Jungle Hiking

Jungle trekking plunges you into dense, vibrant forests alive with towering trees, tangled vines, exotic flowers, and a diverse array of wildlife.  

You venture on small, muddy paths that wind through the wilderness, fording streams and may also see wildlife like deer, peacocks, or elephants. It’s a thrilling adventure with a touch of nature. You won’t get from your average mountain or hill hike.

Jungle trekking isn’t about reaching the top. It’s an opportunity to be part of a living, breathing environment. You must move slowly, look closely, and put care where you step.

The forest has many surprises in store for you: waterfalls that appear out of nowhere, orchids that drape from the trees, giant trees that are bigger than a house.

Wear long sleeves, bring insect repellent, and consider a guide in wildlife areas. Jungle hiking suits nature lovers, photographers, and those with a curious nature.

Best place in Nepal: Chitwan National Park and the more distant Bardia National Park are where you go in Nepal for safari and hiking. Within them is a dense forest, and you may see rhinos, crocodiles, and even tigers.

Nordic Walking

Nordic walking is a type of hiking that involves using two specially designed poles while outdoors. It originated as a cross-country skiing training tool. It has since evolved into a global outdoor fitness trend.

It may appear simple at first, but in fact, it is a total-body exercise. At each step, you push off the ground with your poles, your arm, shoulder, and back muscles out, making it a full-body workout.

Nordic walking is ideal for individuals recovering from injury, beginners, older adults, and health-conscious walkers. It’s easy on joints while improving strength, posture, and heart health.

You may not have access to hills or mountains, which is fine. What you do need is a flat trail, proper poles, and a little bit of technique training. It is a very social activity that people typically engage in as a group.

Best place in Nepal: Try Nordic walking in the Godavari Botanical Garden, which offers peaceful trails. Also, the Nagarjun Forest Reserve, featuring large open areas with clean air, greenery, and less crowding.

So, which type of hiking should you try first?

At the end of the day, remember that there is no “one size fits all” in hiking. Your choice depends on your interests, fitness, time, and mood, so keep exploring.

Some days you may want to go on a peaceful walk in the woods. That is the beauty of hiking; it comes in such a variety of forms.

Try them out whichever you like! Whether you are a weekend walker or a hard-core trekker out there. We have a variety of hiking options for you. Just put on your boots, pick your path, and embrace the journey one step at a time.