Many leisurely activities are viewed as sports, so you may wonder – is hiking a sport? After all, if golf ⚽️ makes the cut, you might think hiking would be too!
Hiking is not considered a sport because it is a recreational, ⚽️ non-competitive activity.
Additionally, the lack of spectators and competitors further differentiates it from other recognized forms of sport.
The long answer gets ⚽️ a bit more complicated.
While most physical activities fall into the black-and-white categories of sports vs.
non-sports, hiking is one of the ⚽️ few that lingers in the gray areas in between.
This isn't helped by the fact that the word 'sports' has varying ⚽️ definitions.
Pinning down an exact definition and deciding whether hiking is a sport or not has come down to personal opinion.
Many ⚽️ hikers will fight to classify it as a sport, while outsiders tend to disagree!Definitions
Turning to the official definitions of sports ⚽️ and hiking should offer a valid solution, but unfortunately, the terms are either too loosely defined or don't have enough ⚽️ consistency to make the decision!Sports
What exactly are sports?
Taking all of the definitions into account, a sport boils down to:
Being of ⚽️ a competitive nature
Requires a decent amount of physical effort
Takes skill in order to compete effectively.
Needs a level of entertainment for ⚽️ viewers
Since the beginning of time, sports and similar events were designed just as much for the audience's enjoyment as it ⚽️ was for the players.
As you can see, the common factors are so vague and different that deciding whether hiking effectively ⚽️ counts as a sport is impossible!
In some cases, sports need to be a competitive and skillful activity; in others, it ⚽️ just needs to be physical and fun.
Hiking
Hiking has a more consistent definition, but the wording seems to imply that this ⚽️ is a leisure activity or exercise instead of a full sport.
Each definition defines hiking as a long walk or a ⚽️ march for pleasure, with only a single definition stating that it is also an exercise or military training.
There's no mention ⚽️ of the level of skill or any form of competition.
The technical definitions for hiking don't have much variation, but anyone ⚽️ who has put a decent amount of time and effort into hiking may consider the activity in a completely different ⚽️ light.
Few aspects of hiking seem to fall into the same category as most sports, but there's still room for debate.
Pro-Sport ⚽️ Argument
There are a couple of common arguments that those fighting to identify hiking as a sport use to prove their ⚽️ point.
Physical Exertion
Sports do tend to require a higher-than-normal physical ability if you want to excel in them, and the same ⚽️ can be said of hiking.
Depending on the trail and duration of a hike, it can be a better workout than ⚽️ some actual sports.
Sports require more than just a physical intensity.
Unfortunately, just being physically demanding doesn't mean it's a sport.
Going to ⚽️ the gym or being a construction worker are also both physically taxing, but neither is a sport.
You Can Race!
Another common ⚽️ point is that racing against another person on a hike adds the competitive aspect that appears to have been lacking.
Racing ⚽️ on a trail is absolutely a sport, but it's no longer hiking.
Once the speed amps up and a form of ⚽️ competitiveness is added, it becomes the trail running sport.
This is a widely accepted sport, but despite the similarities to hiking, ⚽️ it is a different activity.
There's Skill Involved
Anyone can play sports, but it does take a certain level of skill to ⚽️ play them well.
Hiking is no different, and any hiker can tell you that the pros will fly by you on ⚽️ the trail with seemingly little to no effort.
(Un)fortunately, skill alone doesn't qualify an activity as a sport.
It takes skill to ⚽️ make artwork or create unique dishes in the kitchen, but neither are sports.
There are multiple levels to hiking, but that ⚽️ alone isn't enough to knock it out of the gray area.
Anti-Sport Argument
Just as the pro arguments have a certain amount ⚽️ of validity, the anti-sport views are also valid.
Much like the pro-arguments, each point can be somewhat turned around.
Lack Of Competition
A ⚽️ major aspect of most sports definitions is a competitive factor.
Whether it's between individual players or entire teams, sports thrive on ⚽️ the competition to drive the activity forward.
Hiking just isn't on that same level.
Versions of hiking do promote a bit of ⚽️ competition, such as trail running or mountain running.
Some races include hiking and camping across long paths like the Appalachian Trail, ⚽️ so there's potential for competitiveness.
It's More Recreational
Hiking can often be done alone and is often done as a way to ⚽️ admire nature or get some exercise as opposed to playing competitively.
Most hikers view it as a leisure activity and don't ⚽️ try to take it too seriously.
Some are willing to pour their heart and souls into taking their activities to the ⚽️ next level.
These athletes are blowing past others on hiking trails and attempting hikes that take days or weeks to complete ⚽️ while camping along the way.
Key Aspects Of Sports
There are little nuggets of truth to both sides of the argument.
If you ⚽️ were neutral before, you might still be struggling with which camp you want to stand-in.
Sports have four key aspects, and ⚽️ seeing where hiking falls into them may be enough to help you decide.
Physical Effort
Different sports have varying levels of physicality ⚽️ needed to succeed, but they all require some.
Hiking is slower-paced than most, but its physical toll is on par with ⚽️ some of the hardest sports out there.
It's not an easy activity, so it could be considered a sport in this ⚽️ aspect.
Skill Level
There are levels to hiking and a clear gap between the pros and the newbies.
Skill levels are apparent in ⚽️ every activity known to man, and hiking is no exception.
Having a group of 'professionals' that can perform this activity better ⚽️ than most is a step in the correct direction.
Entertainment
Entertainment value isn't in most sports definitions, but it is a well-known ⚽️ factor that some may overlook.S
ports are a way for individuals or teams to see who is better at an activity, ⚽️ but it's also a way for others to be entertained by the competition.
Hiking simply doesn't offer any entertainment value.
Gorgeous views ⚽️ and fascinating wildlife aside, there isn't anything to see regarding the hiker's performance.
No matter how much you love hiking, no ⚽️ one stands on the sidelines (or sits on the couch) cheering you on.
Competition
There are hints and potential of competition hidden ⚽️ in hiking, but overall, it's not a competitive endeavor.
Any time hiking turns into some form of a race; it can ⚽️ classify as a different activity, such as trail running.
The competitive nature is consistent in sports, and hiking just doesn't have ⚽️ that factor.
Is Hiking a Sport: FAQS
Can hiking be considered a sport? Hiking can indeed be considered a sport as it ⚽️ involves physical exertion, endurance, and skill, requiring individuals to traverse various terrains and navigate challenging trails on foot.
Is a hiker ⚽️ an athlete? While hikers engage in physical activity and may possess athleticism, the term "athlete" typically refers to individuals participating ⚽️ in competitive sports, so a hiker is generally not categorized as an athlete in the traditional sense.
Is hiking a mountain ⚽️ sport? Although hiking often involves ascending mountains and can be physically demanding, it is not typically classified as a mountain ⚽️ sport like mountaineering or rock climbing, which entail specialized skills, equipment, and techniques for tackling steep slopes and technical routes.
Is ⚽️ Hiking a Sport or Hobby?
Hiking can be both a sport and a hobby, depending on how individuals approach it.
For some, ⚽️ hiking is pursued as a sport, where they engage in more challenging and competitive hikes, aiming to improve their performance, ⚽️ set records, or participate in organized events.
On the other hand, many people view hiking as a recreational activity or hobby, ⚽️ enjoying it for leisure, exploration, and the physical and mental well-being it provides.
Ultimately, you could say that whether hiking is ⚽️ considered a sport or a hobby is subjective and varies from person to person based on their personal goals, level ⚽️ of involvement, and the way they approach hiking!
Final Thoughts on Hiking
Hiking has enough factors going for it that it's in ⚽️ the gray area, but it still does NOT qualify as a sport.
It lacks too many points in its favor to ⚽️ join the ranks of other well-known and well-loved sports.
There's no denying the skill and physical ability that goes into excelling ⚽️ at hiking.
Clambering up a steep trail for hours is incredibly difficult, and any untrained hiker will realize that fact within ⚽️ a quarter-mile.
Sport or not, it takes genuine skill and physical prowess to excel as hikers - but that doesn't mean ⚽️ you can earn an Olympic medal for tackling your next grueling trail.
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