Trail Talk: Five Essential Types of Hiking Defined

Amber in New England | Updated: November 2025

If someone isn't a hiker, they may not realize there are so many different types of hiking. There can sometimes be animosity in the hiking community about what constitutes a "hike." I'm here to tell you, any type of walk in the woods is a hike!

Just because you aren't bagging peaks or trekking for days doesn't mean you can't enjoy hiking in other ways. Whether you're heading out for an hour after work or six months on the Appalachian Trail, there is a category for you.

View at the top of the Alander Mountain hike in Mount Washington State Park located in Massachusetts., part of New England.

Here is a quick look at the five most common types of hiking you'll hear discussed in the outdoor community:

Type of Hike	Definition & Scope	Key Logistics Needed
Day Hiking	A short, single-day trip (less than 12 hours) with minimal gear.	Simple plan, day pack, 10 Essentials.
Backpacking	Multi-day trip involving overnight camping/shelter, carrying all food and gear.	Extensive planning, permits, large pack, specialized lightweight gear.
Summit Hiking	Focused on reaching a mountain peak, often involving significant elevation gain.	Technical gear (traction/layers), weather contingency, knowledge of altitude.
Thru-Hiking	Completing an entire long-distance trail (e.g., AT, PCT) in a single season.	Deep commitment, months of planning, mailing resupply boxes.
Section Hiking	Completing a long-distance trail in shorter, non-continuous segments over time.	Logistics management, flexible scheduling, trail access points.

Defining the Five Core Types of Hiking

While there are many more nuances to explore, these five categories represent the primary ways people engage with the trails.

1. Day Hiking

This type of hiking involves shorter trails, typically taking place within a single day. These hikes don't necessarily have a specific destination or scenic viewpoint. Sometimes it's just about moving through nature. Luckily, New York and New England are full of beautiful trails everywhere you look.

• Best For: Weekend warriors, beginners, and anyone short on time. A quick hike can be done after work, or a longer one can be planned on a day off.

• Logistics: Generally, you just need a quick plan and the essentials, then you are ready to go.

  • Ready to start? Use my Day Hiking Essentials Checklist: What to Pack for New England & Beyond.

2. Backpacking

Backpacking is a type of hiking that involves carrying all of your supplies and equipment in a larger backpack, and involves overnight camping or staying in lean-tos along the trail. This type of hiking allows you to explore remote areas over multiple days.

• Key Challenge: Requires serious gear reduction (lightweight everything) and a complete mastery of the layering system.

• Logistics: Extensive research is necessary for this type of hiking, as it may require special permits depending on the trail, and you must plan for food, water filtration, and shelter.

  • Planning an overnight trip? Start with my How to Layer for a Day Hike: The Essential 3-Layer System.

3. Summit Hiking (or Peak Bagging)

Summit hiking is one of the most rewarding types of hikes. It involves surmounting the summit or peak of a mountain. This is an hike that will likely be as challenging as it is fulfilling.

• Key Challenge: Vertical ascent, rapid weather changes, and often exposed conditions at the top.

• Logistics: These hikes typically require more than the basic essentials, with extra emphasis on weather contingency, altitude management, and specialized gear like micro-spikes or crampons in winter.

  • Need to choose the right gear for the top? RSubscribe to my e-mails to be notified about my upcoming guide: Microspikes vs. Crampons: Which Winter Traction is Right for Your Hike?.

4. Thru-Hiking

Thru-hiking refers to hiking a long-distance trail (like the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail) from end-to-end in a single trip, often taking several weeks or months.

• Key Challenge: Deep mental and physical commitment, endurance, and logistical mastery.

• Logistics: These types of hikes take extensive research, planning, and often involve mailing resupply boxes to post offices along the route.

5. Section Hiking

Section hiking involves tackling a long trail (such as the Appalachian Trail) in shorter, more manageable sections over time.

• Best For: Those who are unable to take extended time off for a full thru-hike but still want the challenge of completing a famous trail.

• Logistics: A section hiker might choose to do several weekend trips, tacking on a little more of a long trail each time. Other section hikers might plan to do half of a trail one year and the other half the next.

A grid guide explaining the different types of hikes

Why This Matters

Hiking is a popular outdoor activity, offering a variety of experiences for people of all abilities and interests. Whether you're interested in day hikes, thru-hikes, summit hikes, section hikes, or backpacking trips, there is a type of hiking perfect for you.

No matter which path you choose, it's important to be prepared with the proper gear, training, and knowledge to safely and responsibly enjoy your hike. Each type of hiking offers great benefits, and with careful planning and preparation, you will have an unforgettable adventure!

Which type of hiking are you planning to do next? Leave a comment below to let me know!