Menu
Understanding hiking terminology is not just about sounding savvy around other trail enthusiasts – it’s about safety, preparation, and enhancing your experience. Knowing your ‘blazes’ from your ‘cairns’ ensures you stay on the right path, while familiarising yourself with terms like ‘switchback’, ‘traverse’ or ‘bivouac’ can help you better navigate the route and plan ahead. These hiking terms serve as the essential vocabulary for every hiker, needed to communicate effectively about conditions, directions, and equipment.
So, whether you’re a seasoned hiker or lacing up your boots for the first time, this guide to hiking terminology will equip you with the knowledge to tread confidently into the wilderness!
Altitude sickness, which is also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a condition that can affect travellers at high altitudes, typically above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). It’s caused by the body’s difficulty in adapting to the lower oxygen pressure found at high elevations and usually hits when you gain altitude too quickly.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and disturbed sleep. Altitude sickness is the body’s way of telling you that it’s not getting enough oxygen and it feels a bit like a really bad hangover.
Backcountry usually refers to remote, undeveloped and wilderness areas that are often only accessible through hiking or, in some cases, horseback or canoeing. Accessing the backcountry often involves specific regulations to preserve the natural landscape and wildlife, including backcountry permits, limits on the number of visitors, and restrictions on activities such as camping.
Base weight is what we call the total weight of a backpacker’s gear, minus any consumables like food, water and fuel. In other words, it’s the weight of the gear you’ll be taking with you on an adventure and bringing back.
A basecamp is a temporary campsite used as a staging area for extended outdoor activities, such as mountaineering, trekking, or long-distance hiking. In mountaineering, a basecamp is often situated at the foot of a mountain or within a reasonable distance from the primary objective. It allows climbers to acclimatise to high altitudes, rest, prepare equipment, and plan their ascent routes.
Basecamps are equipped with necessities like tents, food supplies, medical kits, and sometimes more advanced amenities like communication devices, depending on the expedition’s scale and the terrain’s remoteness.
A bivouac, sometimes called a “bivy” or “bivvy,” is a basic shelter used by mountaineers in emergency situations such as getting caught in bad weather, getting lost or encoutering an accident.
A bivvy bag or bivvy sack is a lightweight, waterproof, and breathable shelter designed for outdoor enthusiasts who require minimalistic sleeping arrangements. It essentially acts as a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag, offering a protective layer against the elements, including rain, wind, and snow. Unlike tents, bivvy bags are compact, easy to carry, and quick to set up, making them ideal for solo travelers, mountaineers, and hikers who aim to reduce their pack weight and volume.
A blaze is a mark placed on trees, rocks, or other prominent features along a trail to guide hikers along the correct path. Blazes can vary from painted marks to metal or plastic tags, carved notches, or stacked stones (cairns). The most common type of blaze in many areas is a small, rectangular paint mark.
Bushwhacking is essentially hiking through dense bushes or forest where there’s no marked out trail.
A cairn is a man-made pile of stones that looks a little bit like a little person and is used as a trail marker to guide hikers along the route.
A compass is a navigation instrument used for determining direction relative to the Earth’s magnetic poles. It consists of a magnetised needle that can rotate freely on a pivot, aligning itself with the Earth’s magnetic field.
A compass is an essential tool for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and mountaineering where determining direction is needed for navigation. While modern GPS devices and smartphones offer digital navigation capabilities, the compass remains a reliable, battery-free backup that works in areas without cellular service or when electronic devices fail.
Using a compass effectively requires an understanding of how to read it, how to adjust for magnetic declination (the difference between magnetic North and true North), and how to use it in conjunction with a map and it’s an essential skill that all adventurer’s should master.
Contour lines are lines on a topographical map that connect points of the same altitude.
Crampons are metal spikes that attach to the bottom of your hiking boots to provide you with extra grip when walking on snow or ice. They are an essential piece of equipment for ice climbing, mountaineering, glacier travel, and in some cases, winter hiking.
A day hike is simply a hike that can be completed within a single day, without the need for overnight camping.
Day hikes are much better suited to entry level hikers as they require less equipment and less skill when it comes to camping and the planning involved. That said, day hikes can vary in difficult and length, ranging from easy, leisurely walks on well-maintained paths to more challenging treks through rugged terrain.
Declination refers to the angle between magnetic north (the direction the north end of a compass needle points) and true north (the direction along the Earth’s surface towards the geographic North Pole). Declination varies from one place on the Earth’s surface to another and changes over time due to changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.
Understanding and adjusting for declination is crucial in navigation with a map and compass to ensure accuracy. If you’re navigating in an area where the declination is significant and you don’t adjust your compass to account for it, your navigation could be off by a considerable margin, leading you away from your intended route.
A dry bag is a waterproof sack designed to keep its contents dry in wet conditions, making it an essential piece of gear for outdoor activities where gear and valuables might be exposed to water. Dry bags are made from waterproof materials such as PVC or nylon coated with waterproofing substances and feature a watertight closure system, typically a roll-top closure with a buckle or a zipper that is also waterproof.
Elevation gain is the total amount of vertical ascent involved in a hike or climb.
In outdoor activities and mountaineering, “exposure” is a term used to describe sections of a trail, climb, or route where there are steep drop-offs or sheer cliffs, making a fall potentially fatal or resulting in serious injury. The amount of exposure on a route can significantly affect a person’s comfort level and performance as it can make some people, particularly those with vertigo, feel a heightened sense of fear.
A false summit is, like the name suggests, a point on a mountain that initially looks like the summit, but isn’t.
A fell is a term used primarily in Northern England, especially in the Lake District and parts of the Yorkshire Dales, to describe high and barren landscape features, such as mountains or hills. The Lake District in particular is famous for its fells, with Scafell Pike being the highest fell in England.
Frontcountry refers to areas that are easily accessible by vehicle and typically have well-developed facilities such as paved roads, designated campgrounds, restrooms and visitor centers.
Frontcountry activities are ideal for anyone looking for outdoor experiences with more amenities and less risk. It’s especially appealing to families, casual campers, and anyone new to outdoor activities, providing a comfortable way to enjoy nature without venturing too far from the comfort of their home.
Gaiters are protective coverings worn over the lower part of the legs and shoes or boots, commonly used by hikers and mountaineers to stop the bottom of their legs getting wet when hiking in wet grass or snow.
Gore-Tex is a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane that is known for its ability to repel liquid water while allowing water vapour to pass through. This unique feature makes Gore-Tex fabric very useful for outdoor and sports apparel, including jackets, trousers, gloves, and boots, as well as in tents and sleeping bags.
A GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
For that reason, it’s extremely useful as a navigation system for hikers, campers and mountaineers. However, while GPS devices offer significant advantages, they are not infallible and can fail due to dead batteries, technical malfunctions, or loss of signal in certain environments. Therefore, it’s advisable for hikers to also carry traditional navigation tools, such as a map and compass, and know how to use them.
Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by exposure to high temperatures, often in combination with dehydration, which leads to the body overheating. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness and fatigue, headaches, nausea and even dizziness and fainting. Heat exhaustion can often affect hikers in really hot climates like the desert or even extremely warm and humid climates like the jungle.
A hiking permit is an official authorization required by certain protected or sensitive natural areas for individuals wishing to hike or camp within their boundaries. These permits are a tool used by land management agencies such as national parks, forests, wilderness areas, and state parks, to regulate access and minimise environmental impact.
Highpointing is the activity of hiking or climbing to the highest point in a particular area. It’s usually a project that involves reaching several peaks, like the Three Peaks Challenge in the UK, reaching the highest point in each US state, or the Seven Summits challenge of reaching the highest peak on each continent.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature averages around 98.6°F (37°C), and hypothermia sets in when the body temperature falls below 95°F (35°C).
Hypothermia is particularly a concern in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, climbing and skiing, where you might be exposed to cold temperatures, extreme winds and wet conditions and is often the result of prolonged exposure to cold weather or falling into cold water.
Leave No Trace principles are a set of 7 “rules” that you should follow to reduce your impact on the environment when you are hiking, camping or spending time outdoors.
A loop trail, sometimes called a circular trail, is a one way hike that starts and ends at the same place.
A mountain hut, also known as a mountain refuge or mountain shelter, is a building located in the mountains designed to provide shelter and sometimes food and other amenities to hikers, climbers, and mountain enthusiasts. Mountain huts vary greatly in terms of facilities and services provided. Some are quite basic, offering little more than a roof and floor space for sleeping bags, while others can be quite luxurious, with beds, restaurants, and even hot showers.
Mountain huts are typically found in popular mountain areas around the world, including the Alps, the Rockies, the Himalayas, and many more.
Hiking off-trail is simply hiking where there is no defined trail or route. You’re figuring out the best route by yourself!
An out-and-back trail is a hiking trail that follows the same route in and out, so you’ll follow the trail to the destination before turning around and coming back on the same path.
Peak bagging is an outdoor activity that involves climbing or hiking to the summits of a collection of mountains, such as the highest peak in every country. The objective is to “bag” or reach the summit of each mountain on the list, which depending on the number of mountains could be a short term goal or a lifelong project. For example, Munro Bagging involves climbing all 282 highest mountains in Scotland and can take years to complete.
In the context of outdoor activities, “rambling” refers to the leisurely activity of walking in the countryside for pleasure and enjoyment, rather than for sport or intense physical exercise.
In the UK, a charity walking organisation called The Ramblers is an example of a group that organises guided walks, promotes walking for health and leisure, and works to protect and expand access to the outdoors for everyone.
Search and Rescue (SAR) refers to the specialized operations or services carried out by organizations and trained personnel to find, provide aid to, and evacuate people who are lost, in distress, or in imminent danger. The primary goal of SAR operations is to save lives, prevent further injury, and protect the health of those in need in various environments, including wilderness and remote areas, mountains, deserts, forests, and bodies of water, as well as urban settings following disasters. In the context of hiking and mountaineering, Search and Rescue teams include Wilderness SAR, Mountain Rescue and Avalance SAR teams.
Scrambling is an outdoor activity that sits somewhere between hiking and climbing, often requiring the use of hands for balance and support to across steep or rocky terrain.
Scree is an accumulation of loose, broken rocks and stones usually found on the slopes of mountains or at the base of cliffs. The fragments of rock can vary in size, from small pebbles to larger rocks and are typically the result of weathering and erosion processes, such as freeze-thaw cycles, that cause the rock face to fragment and tumble down.
Scree fields can be a little unstable and challenging to cross due to the loose nature of the material, which can shift underfoot, making hiking or climbing over them tricky and sometimes dangerous.
A summit is the highest point on a hill or mountain.
A switchback is a section of a trail that zigzags up a steep part of a mountain, making the ascent or descent a little bit easier.
A tarn is a small mountain lake or pool usually located in northern parts of the UK like the Lake District and Scotland. Tarns are often fed by runoff from melting snow or rainwater, with no rivers flowing into them, and can have crystal clear waters.
The Ten Essentials is a list of critical items that outdoor enthusiasts are advised to carry on any wilderness adventure, especially in situations where they might face unexpected circumstances or overnight stays.
A thru-hike is an end-to-end journey along a long-distance trail, completed in one continuous journey. Thru-hiking involves covering the entire length of a trail, such as the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), or Continental Divide Trail (CDT), among others, which can range from hundreds to thousands of miles. These adventures often span several months, demanding significant physical endurance, mental fortitude, and rigorous planning.
A topo map, short for topographical map, is a geographical map that shows elevation with contour lines, which is extremely useful for hikers and adventurers.
Trail mix is a snack blend specifically designed to be a high-energy, portable food for hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts. It typically includes a mix of dried fruits, nuts and seeds. The combination of ingredients provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, offering a quick energy boost and sustained nourishment during physical activities.
The starting point of a hiking trail.
A traverse in hiking, mountaineering, and climbing refers to a horizontal or sometimes diagonal movement across terrain, rather than moving directly up or down. It often involves crossing the face of a mountain, moving along a ridge, or navigating across a slope.
Traverses can vary significantly in difficulty, length, and exposure to hazards. Some traverses only require simple hiking or walking, while others demand technical climbing skills, the use of ropes and other climbing gear for safety.
A water filter is a device used to remove impurities and contaminants from water, making it safe to drink. In the context of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and backpacking, portable water filters are essential for ensuring access to clean drinking water when natural water sources like streams, rivers and lakes are the only option available.
Using a water filter or purifier is crucial for outdoor enthusiasts to stay hydrated and healthy, especially when carrying sufficient water is impractical and using natural water sources is a must.
Water purification tablets are a portable, lightweight method for making water safe to drink by killing microorganisms that can cause waterborne illnesses. These tablets are commonly used by hikers, campers, travellers, and in emergency situations where access to clean water is limited or uncertain.
“Water resistant” refers to the ability of a material to resist the penetration of water to some degree, but not entirely. Unlike “waterproof” items, which are impervious to water regardless of the time or pressure, water-resistant items can prevent water penetration only to a certain extent or for a limited time under specific conditions before they become saturated.
“Waterproof breathable” describes materials or fabrics that are designed to prevent water from penetrating from the outside while allowing water vapour (sweat) from the body to escape. This combination of features is particularly valuable in outdoor apparel, such as jackets, pants, and footwear, intended for activities in wet conditions where maintaining dryness and comfort is essential.
A wilderness permit is a document required by many protected natural areas for anyone wanting to enter specific wilderness zones, especially for overnight camping and sometimes even for day use in highly sensitive or popular areas. The primary purpose of requiring permits is to manage the impact visitors have on the environment, ensuring the preservation of natural resources, minimizing the ecological footprint, and maintaining the quality of the wilderness experience for all visitors.