If you’re like most people, you probably think that hiking is a great way to burn calories and get in shape. But how many calories does hiking really burn?
The answer may surprise you. According to one study, the average person burns about 100 calories per mile when hiking. So, if you hike for 10 miles, you’ll burn about 1,000 calories.
That’s not bad, but it’s not as good as some other activities. For example, running Burns about twice as many calories as hiking. So if you’re looking to really up your calorie-burning game, you might want to go for a run instead of a hike.
But of course, there are other factors to consider when choosing an activity. If you enjoy hiking more than running, then by all means, stick with hiking. The most important thing is to get out there and move your body!
Introduction
When most people think of hiking, they don’t consider it a form of exercise. After all, how much effort does it take to walk on a trail? Turns out, quite a bit more than you might think. A 155-pound person will burn approximately 298 calories per hour hiking uphill at a moderate pace, according to Harvard Health Publishing. That number jumps to 423 calories when hiking downhill and 544 calories when carrying a backpack weighing between 15% and 20% of your body weight.
What is Hiking?
Most people’s understanding of hiking is taking a long walk in the woods. And that is one way to hike, but it’s certainly not the only way. Hiking, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “to make one’s way on foot usually by following a trail.” So, technically speaking, you could go for a walk around your neighborhood and be “hiking.”
The Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and explore new surroundings. It’s also a terrific workout for your whole body. How many calories you burn hiking depends on a few factors, including your weight, the terrain, and how fast you’re going.
In general, you can expect to burn about 100 calories per mile when hiking. So, if you hike for 30 minutes at a pace of 3 miles per hour, you will burn about 90 calories. But if you hike for the same amount of time at a pace of 4 miles per hour, you will burn about 120 calories.
Of course, the more difficult the terrain, the more calories you will burn. If you add hills or stairs into the mix, you can expect toburn even more calories. And if you carry a backpack or other weight on your hike, you will burn even more calories as your body works harder to move your extra load.
Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, and it’s also a lot of fun. So lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail!
How Many Calories Does Hiking Burn?
It’s no secret that hiking can be great exercise. But how many calories does hiking burn? That depends on a few different factors, including your weight, the terrain, and the intensity of your hike.
A 130-pound person will burn about 298 calories per hour hiking at a moderate pace on level ground. But if that same person were to hike up a hill, they would burn about372 calories per hour. And if they increased their pace to a vigorous hike, they would burn about 444 calories per hour.
Meanwhile, a 155-pound person will burn about 355 calories per hour hiking at a moderate pace on level ground. But if that same person were to hike up a hill, they would burn about 446 calories per hour. And if they increased their pace to a vigorous hike, they would burn about 533 calories per hour.
And finally, a 180-pound person will burn about411calories per hour hiking at a moderate pace on level ground. But if that same person were to hike up a hill, they would burn about 509 calories per hour. And if they increased their pace to a vigorous hike, they would burn about 605calories per hour.
So as you can see, the number of calories you burn while hiking can vary quite a bit based on your individual weight and the intensity of your hike. But one thing is for sure: Hiking is an excellent way to get in some cardio and work your way towards better health!
How to Burn More Calories When Hiking
Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors, but did you know that it can also be a great way to burn calories? Here are a few ways to make sure you’re burning as many calories as possible when hiking:
- Use trekking poles: Trekking poles help you burn more calories by engaging your upper body as well as your lower body.
- Increase your speed: The faster you hike, the more calories you’ll burn. If you’re looking to really increase your calorie burn, try interval training – hiking for one minute at a very fast pace, followed by one minute of walking. Repeat this for 20 minutes and you’ll be sure to see an increase in the number of calories you burn.
- Carry a backpack: Carrying a backpack while hiking will help to engage your core muscles and increase the number of calories you burn. If your backpack is packed with heavy items, you’ll burn even more calories!
- Take breaks often: Taking breaks often may seem like it would decrease the number of calories you burn, but if those breaks involve some physical activity – like doing jumping jacks or push-ups – then you’ll actually end up increasing the number of calories you burn overall.
- Choose a hilly trail: If possible, choose a hiking trail that has some hills or inclines – this will force your muscles to work harder, resulting in more calorie burning.
Tips for Hiking
There are many variables that affect how many calories you burn when hiking, including your weight, the intensity of your hike, and the terrain. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll burn about 100 calories per mile. So, if you hike for 30 minutes (about 2 miles), you can expect to burn around 200 calories.
Conclusion
Hiking can help you burn calories and work different muscle groups, but the number of calories you burn depends on a few factors.
Your weight: A bigger person will burn more calories than a smaller person, even if they’re hiking at the same pace.
The incline: If you’re hiking uphill, you’ll burn more calories than if you’re hiking on level ground.
The pace: The faster you hike, the more calories you’ll burn.
Resources
There are a lot of variables that go into calculating how many calories you burn while hiking, including your weight, the intensity of your hike, and the terrain. However, a good rule of thumb is that you burn about 100 calories per mile when hiking. So, if you hike for 10 miles, you’ll burn approximately 1,000 calories.
