What does trekking really mean?
Let’s explore the ancient origin of this word, its meaning, and understand why it is not synonymous with hiking or excursions.
The Meaning of the Word Trekking
Every enthusiast must have wondered about the meaning of the word trekking. For many, it simply means walking or traveling on foot, often used synonymously with hiking and excursions.
In Italy, these terms are used interchangeably, but they actually have very different origins and meanings.
In this article, we will delve into the true origin of the word trekking and understand why it actually has a rather unique and specific meaning.
Where does the word trekking come from?
The first doubt to be clarified is that the term trekking does not, as many think, derive from English but from Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa, during the time of Dutch colonization.
It is a Germanic language, derived precisely from Dutch contaminated by local languages. The origin of trekking is in a historical event that took place in the South African Dutch colony, which was called the Great Trek.
We are around 1830, Dutch domination is becoming increasingly oppressive, especially towards the original farmers and herders.
Exhausted by the continuous oppression of the rulers, the Boers, a term in Afrikaans meaning farmer, decide to leave their towns in search of new unexplored territories where they can settle to escape the Dutch.
Only a few farmers decide to embark on this journey into the African hinterland, true pioneers, moving with wagons pulled by oxen venturing into previously unexplored lands where they could establish their own community. This great journey was called the Great Trek by them.
Their journey served as an example for many other farmers and shepherds who decided to escape the tight colonial power, embarking on the same journey, following the footsteps left by the wagons and oxen of their predecessors.
These travelers in Afrikaans were called trekkers.
A journey made on foot and in wagons pulled by oxen, in unexplored and wild territories, in search of a new land to settle.
This movement had profoundly changed the balances of South Africa; the Great Trek was just the first of many journeys undertaken by a large number of trekkers.
These exploration journeys, discovering new lands, were called trekking, which literally meant “traveling following the oxen’s footsteps,” a term that entered the common jargon even of the Dutch rulers who then brought it back to the homeland, Europe, entering the vocabulary of other Germanic languages as well.
Trekking: The Meaning of the Word
Languages and meanings of terms change and evolve along with societies; that’s why trekking has gradually lost its original meaning of exploratory journey following the tracks of oxen, to take on different connotations more in line with modern times.
The term trekking has spread to many other languages and cultures and, depending on the socio-cultural context in which it was adopted, has taken on different meanings. The main difference can be found between the Anglo-Saxon world and the European one.
In Mediterranean countries like Italy, Spain, and France, the word trekking is used as a synonym for excursion, understood as a walk in nature, perhaps in the mountains, done within a day.
Americans and the English, on the other hand, call this activity hiking, which means precisely a daily walk in natural environments of great scenic impact.
The term trekking in the United States and Northern Europe, instead, has remained linked to the concept of travel and exploration, discovering new territories through an immersive way of moving, usually on foot or by bicycle.
Trekkers cover long distances with the main goal of connecting with new places and cultures. It’s also not necessarily limited to the mountains; great trekking can be done in any environment and part of the world.
Trekking in Asian forests or deserts is highly sought after; the famous Himalayan treks or those in the South American massifs always remain surrounded by a timeless allure.
In short, the destination or the mode of transportation doesn’t matter as much; what’s crucial is the spirit with which one undertakes a trek, which is a slow journey to explore and deeply understand an environment.
In recent years, it has taken on a new shade, born in contrast to mass tourism, the rush-and-go of major destinations that mutate to suit tastes and preferences.
Trekking is a slow and experiential journey to less-known destinations, mainly moving on foot or by bicycle, respecting the places visited and aiming to know the traditions and cultures.
Trekking is a form of sustainable and responsible travel because it doesn’t disrupt places but continually seeks lesser-known areas.
How to Prepare for Trekking?
The conversation becomes more complex here. If we consider trekking as a journey, usually lasting several days, with the aim of exploring and knowing new territories, there are many variables to consider.
First and foremost, excellent physical preparation is necessary. We must be able to walk or pedal every day for several hours, carrying fairly heavy backpacks on our shoulders and often moving on challenging trails, perhaps in demanding weather conditions.
Trekking is a demanding journey, mostly done on foot or by bicycle, that should never be improvised.
Physical preparation alone is not enough; to plan a trek, technical knowledge and quite detailed information about the places to be crossed are also necessary.
That’s why few people undertake multi-day treks alone; most people prefer to move in organized groups or rely on specialized agencies that focus on these types of trips.
The equipment and clothing will vary greatly depending on the length of the trip, the type of environment we will be moving in, and the means of transportation used.
Accommodations are also an important variable. If we plan to sleep outdoors, we will need specific equipment that wouldn’t be needed for stays in facilities.
The first thing to have is an excellent pair of trekking shoes, a model specially designed for multi-day treks and versatile enough to adapt to the different conditions encountered while walking for several days.
The waterproof technical shell is essential; it will keep us dry in case of bad weather, but the rest of the clothing should also be technical.
The main enemies during these trips are bad weather and sweat; all clothing must be made of technical membranes, such as Gore-Tex, which provide both waterproofing and excellent breathability.
The role of base layer clothing, commonly known as underwear, is also essential. It should be suitable for the various climates we will encounter during the trek; it’s the layer next to the skin that should ensure our comfort during hours of walking.
Our main ally during trekking is the backpack, our mobile home on these trips.
Trekking backpacks are quite bulky; they must contain spare clothing for several days of travel. If we also plan to sleep in nature, we will also need a tent and a sleeping bag.
In summary, we can say that trekking is a journey, often far from home, outside national borders, and therefore must be planned well in advance. It is necessary to gather information about the destinations, the territories crossed; often, it is advisable to book flights and other transfers, as well as guided tours in more dangerous areas.
Medical precautions are also necessary, recommended vaccinations for some parts of the world, medical insurance if the countries we intend to visit do not have a public health system.
In short, trekking in the Anglo-Saxon world is a journey, made to discover and explore the world, often on foot or by bicycle, or with sustainable means of transportation like the train, which requires a considerable physical effort.
Excursions and trekking are taking on different meanings even with us
Everything we’ve said so far applies to recent decades, but things are starting to change in recent years; in fact, even in Italy, outdoor enthusiasts are beginning to use trekking and excursions with different meanings.
The main credit goes to the significant growth and development of the world of paths; in our country, dozens of historical paths, faith routes, or long-distance itineraries like the High Paths are being rediscovered and valued.
The most famous of all is certainly the Via Francigena, but every year more and more people walk on the Path of the Gods, the Brigands’ Path, the Path of the Abbots, or the Path of St. Francis.
In short, a dense network of paths that crosses some of the most suggestive areas of Italy and has allowed many people to rediscover hidden and almost forgotten areas of the country.
These paths are multi-day treks, often crossing lesser-known areas, which can be traveled on foot or by bicycle, requiring good physical and technical preparation.
Do these definitions remind you of something? Trekking! Exactly, in fact, these routes have also made it clear in our country the difference between trekking and an excursion.
Walking the Via Francigena in Tuscany is a real trek, while walking the Path of the Gods to admire the panorama of the Amalfi Coast is undoubtedly an excursion, what Americans would call a hike.
In short, we hope we have clarified the difference between these terms; for some, it may be an irrelevant distinction, but we believe that it is important to give words the right meaning.
Because it is the words that make us think in the right way, and in the end, if we think well, we also live better.
