Hiking, Walking, Bushwalking or Tramping? Why the Wording Often Causes Confusion

If you’ve ever searched online for a walking or hiking tour in New Zealand, you’ve probably noticed something fairly quickly:

Different companies use very different words.

Some talk about walking tours. Others describe the same experience as hiking, bushwalking, trekking or even tramping. And to make things even more confusing, the same word can mean very different things depending on whether you’re in New Zealand, Australia, the UK or North America.

So if you’ve ever wondered:

• “What’s the actual difference?”

• “Am I fit enough for this?”

• “Will I need to carry a heavy pack?”

• “Is this a relaxed walk or a serious hike?”

…you’re certainly not alone.

The wording doesn’t always tell the full story

One of the biggest misunderstandings when searching for active holidays is this:

The name of the tour often tells you less than the grading does.

A “walking tour” can still include long or steep days.

A “hiking tour” might actually be very achievable for moderately active women.

And “bushwalking” in Australia can mean almost anything - from an easy coastal path to a remote multi-day adventure.

That’s why we always recommend looking beyond the title itself.

Distance, terrain, elevation, daily walking times and overall tour grading are usually far more important than the actual wording. (We explain this in more detail in our separate article about tour grading and fitness levels.)

Walking Tours

For many women, the term walking tour feels more approachable and relaxed.

Often, walking tours are associated with:

• easier or moderate terrain

• day walks rather than full backcountry hiking

• lighter day packs

• comfortable accommodation

• shorter daily distances

• more time to stop and enjoy the scenery

But again, this varies a lot between operators.

At Sidetracks Women, our Walking Tours are generally designed for women who enjoy being active outdoors, but prefer a gentler pace and less demanding terrain than some of our Hiking Tours.

They are still active holidays - just usually with slightly easier tracks, shorter days or more flexibility.

Hiking Tours

The word hiking is often used internationally, especially in New Zealand and North America.

For some women, however, the word can sound intimidating.

It may bring to mind:

• steep mountain climbs

• very high fitness levels

• heavy backpacks

• rough huts

• technical terrain

  
  

In reality, hiking tours vary enormously. Some are challenging multi-day adventures. Others are simply scenic day hikes with moderate distances.

At Sidetracks Women, our Hiking Tours are usually a little more physically demanding than our Walking Tours, but they are still designed for women who enjoy travelling in comfort and good company.

Most of our tours use comfortable accommodation and only require carrying a day pack.

Bushwalking

Bushwalking is a term used very commonly in Australia.

If you’re from Australia, there’s a good chance this is the word you naturally search for.

In many cases, bushwalking simply means walking or hiking in nature - often on trails through forests, national parks or coastal landscapes.

But just like “walking” or “hiking”, bushwalking can range from very easy to very demanding.

That’s why two bushwalking holidays may be completely different experiences.

Tramping

Tramping is a very New Zealand term.

Traditionally, it’s often associated with:

• backcountry tracks

• huts

• remote areas

• rougher conditions

• carrying larger packs

  
  

However, even in New Zealand the word is used quite loosely nowadays.

Some people still proudly call almost any hike a tramp. Others hardly use the word at all.

Interestingly, many international visitors searching online may never even use the word “tramping” when planning their trip.

So what should you look for when choosing a tour?

Rather than focusing too much on whether something is called walking, hiking or bushwalking, we think it’s more helpful to look at:

• daily walking distances

• elevation and terrain

• track conditions

• average walking times

• accommodation style

• whether luggage is transferred

• what type of group the tour is designed for

And perhaps most importantly: Does the tour sound like something you would genuinely enjoy?

Our approach at Sidetracks Women

Because these terms can mean different things to different people, we try to describe our tours as clearly and honestly as possible. In general:

Our Walking Tours

tend to be slightly easier, more relaxed and suited to women who enjoy scenic active travel without necessarily wanting more demanding hiking days.

Our Hiking Tours

usually involve more walking, steeper terrain or slightly more challenging tracks - while still focusing on comfort, support and enjoying the journey.

But the grading of each individual tour always matters more than the title itself.

That’s why we encourage everyone to also read the tour grading of each tour carefully.

Final thoughts

If you’ve ever felt confused while searching for walking or hiking holidays in New Zealand - you’re definitely not the only one.

The same words are often used differently by different companies and in different countries.

And sometimes, a woman searching for a “walking holiday” may actually enjoy a moderate hiking tour perfectly well - while someone else looking for a “hiking adventure” may prefer something gentler.

Choosing the right tour is much more important than choosing the right word. That’s why asking questions is always welcome.