A Glossary of Hiking Terms: Beginner Hikers’ Edition
14ers, water filters and everything in between
“That was definitely a Class 3 Scramble.”
“I’m more into frontcountry camping than backcountry.”
“We’re doing a 14er this weekend.”
If you’re confused by statements like that, you’re not alone. I first started hiking in May 2022, and back I didn’t even know what hiking meant — not kidding! I thought it involved some sort of expedition through wild terrain that only seasoned adventurers could think of taking on. (In other words, not little ol’ me.)
Since then, of course, I’ve learned that hikes come in all shapes and sizes — including some that come pretty close to those wild expeditions of my imagination. But I do remember what it’s like to enter a new world with its own terminology, and to struggle with making the right choices when it comes to hitting the trail. That’s why I put together this hiking 101 guide, breaking down some of the terms you’re likely to hear in hiking conversations and read on park signs and social media. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it’s a good starting point for new hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Hope it helps!
14er
This is a mountain whose summit is at least 14000 feet above sea level. 14ers are challenging hikes and often involve some mountaineering skills, and are generally considered rites of passage for serious hikers (see peakbagging below).
Backcountry
The definition of backcountry is a rural, sparsely populated wilderness. In the context of hiking and camping, backcountry refers to sections of the trail that are far away from facilities like toilets or water fountains. If you choose to travel through and camp in backcountry areas, you need to be a self-sufficient camper and well-versed in the Leave No Trace principles (see below).
Backpacking
This refers to multi-day hikes where you travel through long trails with all your essentials (including your tent and clothing) in your backpack.
Bear bag/canister
This is a container for food and personal items that’s designed to be resistant to attacks by bears and other animals. Bear bags are easier to carry around, while bear canisters are the hardier option. If you’re camping or backpacking in the US wilderness, most ranger stations will require you to have one of these.
Bladder
This looks somewhat like a hot water bag, and is a space-saving alternative to regular water bottles. It usually comes with a tube that has a mouthpiece you can suck on to drink.
Cairn
This is a marker left behind by other hikers to show that you’re on the right trail. Cairns can take the form of a stacked pile of rocks, a flag stuck into the ground, a piece of cloth or ribbon tied to a tree branch — anything that’s distinguishable (ie you won’t mistake it for trash).
Class 1/2/3/4/5
This is a system used to grade the technical difficulty of a hiking trail, with Class 1 being the easiest (requiring no special gear) and Class 5 being the hardest (you need full climbing/mountaineering gear). Note that the emphasis is on technical difficulty — a Class 1 hike can still be extremely fatiguing!
Crampons
These are metal frames that you attach to the undersides of your shoes for better grip when walking through snow and ice.
Elevation gain
Elevation gain is the total height that you will climb over the course of a hiking trail, including any downs and ups. Note that elevation gain isn’t the same as elevation above sea level. For instance, a mountain peak could be 1000ft high, but the elevation gain on the trail to reach the peak could be 1500ft.
Frontcountry
This refers to a camping ground that has designated campsites, parking areas and toilets. Some frontcountry campgrounds even have electricity and showers with hot water.
Leave No Trace
This refers to a set of principles to leave minimum impact on the wilderness you are hiking through, and applies even to short hikes and walks in the park. You can read more about the seven principles here.
Loop trail
This is a trail that circles back and brings you right to where you started, just like a loop of string.
Moisture-wicking
This refers to the property by which fabrics quickly transfer fluids (like sweat or rain away from your body while hiking. Not only does this protect you from potential hypothermia, but it also means your clothes dry out sooner because the moisture gets trapped in the top layer of the fabric and can easily evaporate. In general, synthetics possess this property while natural fabrics like cotton don’t, which is why most hiking apparel brands will feature synthetic choices.
Out-and-back trail
This is a trail where you hike to a certain point and then return the same way you came.
Pack it in, pack it out
This refers to food, trash and any other personal items on the trail (yes, including body waste!). Basically, you can’t just leave your waste to biodegrade just because it’s organic material. You need to carefully pack it up and take it with you until you can dispose of it in a trash can. Refer to Leave No Trace above.
PCT
You’ll see hikers throw this abbreviation around like a badge of pride, and it certainly can be. PCT stands for Pacific Crest Trail, a gargantuan 2600-mile trail that stretches from Mexico all the way up to Canada. It’s definitely one for seasoned hikers, and the whole trail can take up to six months to complete. There are, however, sections of the PCT that you can do in much less time, the most famous of which is the John Muir Trail in the Eastern Sierras.
Peakbagging
This refers to the act of summiting peaks, thus ‘bagging’ them. Many hikers enjoy tackling peaks on a regular basis, and there are several challenges centered around peakbagging (such as the Six Pack of Peaks).
Ridge trail
This is a trail that extends along the ‘spine’ of a mountain, so you’re basically hiking along a narrow path with slopes descending on either side.
Scramble
This basically involves using your hands and legs to go up steep or extremely gravelly/slippery slopes.
Scree
This refers to the bits of broken rock you’ll often see along trails, especially mountainous ones. Scree can be difficult to hike through and you could get badly hurt if you fall, so be extra vigilant when navigating it. Similar to scree is talus — see below.
Switchback
This is when a trail up the side of a hill or mountain cuts back sharply rather than going straight up, kind of like a hairpin bend. Switchbacks can be an easier way to go up a mountain — of course, it does make the trail longer.
Talus
This refers to rocky debris at the base of a cliff or mountain that has accumulated as a result of erosion. It tends to feature bigger boulders and pieces of rock than scree (see above). Again, it needs extra caution to navigate.
Ten Essentials
This is a list of essential items for wilderness survival that was originally compiled by Seattle-based outdoor organisation The Mountaineers in the 1930s. While the list has evolved over time, the core categories remain the same. You can read more about the list here.
Thru-hike
This refers to the act of hiking an established long trail in its entirety. The PCT is a thru-hike, as are the Appalachian Trail and the John Muir Trail. It’s different from backpacking in that it’s much longer than the average backpacking trip, and you start in one place and finish in another.
Traction
This is the property that allows the bottoms of your shoes to grip the ground. It’s vital to have shoes with good traction for a hike, especially when the trail is gravelly, sandy or muddy.
Trailhead
This is the official start of a hiking trail, typically marked with a trailhead sign and pointers to the trails that branch off from the trailhead.
Trail Junction
This is where two or more trails intersect. These may or may not have official markers, so be sure to refer to your map when picking which way to go.
Trekking poles
These are poles with handles and pointed ends that enable better stability on uneven or gravelly trails, especially slopes. They’re typically made out of lightweight yet hardy materials like aluminum.
Ultralight
This is a category of backpacking that involves, as the name suggests, carrying as light a load as possible. One can achieve this by investing in lightweight gear, or simply by packing minimalistically.
Water filter
This is a device that fits over the mouth of a bottle and filters out germs and pollutants, thus letting you safely drink water from a stream or other freshwater source on the trail. Having a water filter saves you the trouble of carrying all your water with you, especially when you’re backpacking.
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