Hiking Experience Research Articles

Motivation-Based Segmentation of Hiking Tourists in Taiwan

Hiking is one of the most popular and significant recreational activities in natural settings, yet hiking tourists are often not distinguished from the broader population of nature-based tourists. This study aimed to identify distinct segments of hiking tourists based on their motivations and to explore the relationship between segmentation, motivations, and their satisfaction with the hiking experience. Using a questionnaire survey of 262 hiking tourists in Taiwan and multivariate statistical techniques, four hiking motives—“relaxation”, “social interaction”, “competence and exploration”, and “mental refreshment”—were identified, and four segments of hiking tourists—“mental refreshment seekers”, “social hikers”, “challenge seekers”, and “general purpose hikers”—were classified, respectively. While all segments reported high levels of satisfaction, their satisfaction was influenced by different motives. This study enhances the theoretical understanding of hiking motives and provides practical recommendations for enhancing hiking experiences and nature conservation.

Experience Shaping, Social Cues and Safety: Headphone Use and Non-Use While Hiking in the United States

We explore motivations for the use and non-use of headphones while hiking. In order to understand why people bring, or don’t bring, headphones while hiking we analyzed 247 written responses to the question “why do you prefer to bring (or not bring) headphones when hiking?” We study headphones, rather than other forms of interactive computing like mobile phones, because headphone use and non-use splits survey respondents nearly in half with 51.5% stating that they do prefer to bring headphones while hiking and 48.5% stating that they do not. Those who bring headphones did so to enhance their hike by listening to music or other audio and to avoid social interaction. Those who do not bring headphones do so to fully enjoy the sounds of nature, to invite social interaction and to increase safety. Our results suggest that within the context of hiking as constructed in the United States, use and non-use decisions are motivated by shaping the intended hiking experience, social factors and safety. We view these motivations for non-use not as obstacles to be overcome in the proliferation of technology into hiking, but as nuanced themes to be considered as part of understanding technology in the broader context of hiking.

"A Word for Nature": A Reflection on a Contemplative Teacher-Training Course in the Desert

This paper reflects on an interdisciplinary, environmental, and contemplative course the authors taught at Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv. Entitled "I am in Nature," the course was co-taught by an ecologist and a literary scholar. It included a two-day base camping and hiking experience in the Negev Desert and three on-campus meetings. The students read Nature Writing and Ecopoetry, practiced guided mindfulness meditations in the field, and kept contemplative-writing journals. In this community voices piece, we offer an innovative pedagogy for higher education that centers on the integration of the learner’s mind, body, and heart through interdisciplinary, contemplative, and holistic approaches and ways of being.

Semiotic vista

Throughout life, one may witness grand views, scenes accompanied by intense affect and a sense of awe or wonder. The awe-inspiring things in these experiences vary considerably from suns in sunsets to glowing visages in holy visions to juices in simple tangerines. For different people, different views along the broad spectrum of these affectively intensive grand-view experiences can produce meaning in life, the influential facet of wellbeing identified by positive psychologists but poorly differentiated from meaning-making in other senses. This paper lays out a theory of semiotic vista to organize such disparate signification events and their use of both linguistic and non-linguistic signs. Using the examples of accounts of mountain hiking experiences, mindfulness meditation experiences, and supernatural encounters, I describe semiotic vista as a transitional mode of semiotic viewing in which agents re-interpret multiple signifiers of ordinary phenomena (objects) as valorized components of novel contexts, typically in association with intense affective experience. The vista mode is heavily facilitated by the (re)generation of at least two primary types of first-order indexical interpretants which occur in these contexts and of their attendant second-order indexicality which (semi)permanently re-contextualizes the objects originally referenced in the same view. I also briefly touch on how this process relates to storytelling and audience reactions. This analysis has implications for wellbeing, positive affect generation, and ideological enregisterment.

DANGER! NO HIKING! Risky hiking decisions, framing of normative warning messages, and self-exempting beliefs

Natural resource managers are often dismayed that visitors disobey warning signs, which can contribute to accidents and injuries. This study examined whether normative content within signs as well as internal beliefs of the hiker predicted responses to warning messages. College students ( N = 198) with recent hiking experience read four hypothetical risky hiking scenarios (e.g., getting too close to a cliff edge or bison) and were shown warning signs that varied norm type (injunctive versus descriptive) and framing (positive versus negative). Participants rated likelihood to hike and get hurt, and responded to scales measuring self-exempting beliefs and risk attitudes. Signs with descriptive norms and negative framing were most effective. Self-exempting beliefs were better predictors of likelihood to hike and get hurt ratings than risk attitudes. Results suggest that visitor safety might be enhanced by framing warning messages to include descriptive normative information and to target self-exempting beliefs.

Enriching social media data allows a more robust representation of cultural ecosystem services

Images and textual metadata from social media sites such as Flickr have been used to understand the drivers and distributions of cultural ecosystem services (CES). However, using all available data from social media sites may not provide an accurate representation of individual services. For example, an image of nature might be described negatively in the image’s description. Here, we present a novel approach to refining social media data to represent CES better, including filtering by keywords, photograph content and enriching the data by including a measure of the sentiment expressed in the textual metadata. We demonstrate that the distribution of an enriched dataset of Flickr images representing hiking in the USA can contribute to different results and conclusions than the full dataset. Furthermore, we classified the contents of these hiking images and, using latent semantic analysis, clustered the images into ten groups based on the similarity of their content. The groups provide rich information, such as the importance of geodiversity and biodiversity in supporting a positive hiking experience. The application of this method can help to enrich social media data for CES studies, allowing researchers to further untangle the complex socio-ecological interactions that drive CES distributions, benefits and values.

Case Study Perception: Lack of Energy For New Hikers at Gunung Ledang, Taman Negara Johor

This research conducted to identify the perception of lack of energy towards the new hikers at Gunung Ledang, Johor National Park. The data collected using qualitative method via semi structured interviews towards the 3 certified hiking guides that delivering their guiding services to the top hill of the Gunung Ledang. 3 certified guides as the main source of data in this data collection process. Findings shown that the instant energy foods are very important in supplying the energy after energy highly used in the hiking activity at the challenging and risky areas of the hiking trail. Therefore, it is important for the new hikers to bring the foods that provide the energy while participating in adventure recreation sport activities for better hiking experience and to prevent the lack of energy issue during enjoying the hiking activities at the challenging mountain.

Long-distance hikers and their inner journeys: On motives and pilgrimage to Nidaros, Norway

Several historic pilgrimage routes called Saint Olav Ways terminate at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. All have status as European Cultural Routes. Most popular is the 643 km Gudbrandsdal route from Oslo. The number of pilgrims along this route increases every year, currently totalling a few thousand annually. Our study – the first quantitative analysis of pilgrims in Norway – is based on two years of surveying on-site hikers (using self-registration boxes) and a follow-up, e-mail based, online questionnaire (N = 276). The survey sought information about pilgrims’ motives, pilgrimage behaviour and demographics; how they differ from modern pilgrims and pilgrimage elsewhere; and how similar they are to long-distance hikers, and hiking, generally. Drawing from literature on motives for pilgrimage, (thru-) hiking, and certain domains from the Recreation Experience Preference (REP) scales, we used a list of 49 motivational items. An exploratory factor (PCA) analysis revealed eight motivational dimensions. Foreigners dominate, and the “average pilgrim” has little or no previous pilgrim experience, hikes for 22 days and appreciates the simplicity tied to the hiking experience. They walk at a low pace through quiet, natural and unfamiliar environments, reflect on life, develop spirituality, and enjoy contact with local people and heritage. The religious dimension is, on average, not prominent but more evident for those with previous pilgrimage and extensive multi-day hiking experience. The hiking journey is more important than reaching Nidaros. These findings are comparable to studies of modern pilgrimage elsewhere. However, the motives/preferences tie just as well to research findings on long-distance hiking, though the majority (68%) find a great difference in hiking a pilgrimage route compared to other long distance routes. We found this – the knowledge, experience, or image of the SOW route – to be the most influential variable in revealing motivational variation in the studied population.

Examination of benefits sought by hiking tourists: a comparison of impact-range performance analysis and impact asymmetry analysis

ABSTRACTThis study assesses the benefits of hiking for visitors to the Jeju Olle Trail on Jeju Island in Korea, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Data were collected from a total of 318 tourists visiting the Jeju Olle Trail. The study focused on comparing the benefits sought by first-time visitors and those of repeat visitors. Analytical results found that first-time visitors and repeat visitors sought different benefits from their hiking experiences. First-time visitors sought to observe nature and interact with people. For first-time visitors, benefits that delighted them were buying unique souvenirs and enjoying educational experiences, whereas repeat visitors demonstrated a good assessment on interactions with new people and buying unique souvenirs.

Mapping the relationships between trail conditions and experiential elements of long-distance hiking

Trail users that experience acceptable social and ecological conditions are more likely to act as trail stewards, exhibit proper trail etiquette, and use low-impact practices. However, the relationships between specific trail conditions and experiential elements of long-distance hiking are not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify how trail conditions influence particular elements of the long-distance hiking experience. The researchers used a mixed-methods approach involving semi-structured interviews (n = 17), quantitative questionnaires (n = 336), ecological measurements of trail conditions (n = 21–5 km sections), and modified Recreation Suitability Mapping (RSM) techniques to quantify the relationships between five trail conditions (trail incision, muddiness, rugosity, trail width, and gradient) and four experiential elements of long-distance hiking (level of challenge, perceived impact to musculoskeletal system, valuation of tread aesthetics, and ability to maintain an ideal hiking pace). Quantified values were weighted, analyzed, and mapped using SPSS 22.0 and ArcMap 10.2.2. Significant differences exist in the scores and distributions of ecological measures across all sections, indicating that trail conditions vary significantly across sampled trail sections. Although, long-distance hikers felt all four experiential elements were important, tread aesthetics was ranked by 50.2% of sampled hikers as the most important experiential element to the overall experience. The resulting information after applying the weights suggests what particular type of experience is likely for each trail section considering the presence of trail conditions.

Situational Influences on Experiences of Long-Distance Hikers

The Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT) are arguably the most popular long-distance hiking routes in the United States. With increasing need for recreational space, these trails are experiencing heavier visitation and impact. Research on the experiences of long-distance hikers can be used as a means of justifying funding for the management of the AT, PCT, CDT, and other long-distance trails. This study used the Benefits of Hiking Scale to determine whether benefits of participation and components of means-end theory varied based on the duration and location of long-distance hiking experiences. The study used an online survey to collect data from 292 hikers, who were classified as non-thru-hikers, AT thru-hikers, or thru-hikers of other long-distance trails. The number of thru-hikes completed in the last 10 years was also calculated. Results suggest that non-thru-hikers seek to maintain or improve physical health to a greater degree than thru-hikers, who appear to be motivated by other aspects of the hiking experience. Subscribe to JOREL

Who are wild enough to hike a wilderness trail?

Wilderness trails differ from other hiking trails in South Africa in that there are more risks involved. These types of trials are also becoming more popular. The purpose of this study is to 1) identify the motives of wilderness hikers in Kruger National Park (KNP), 2) cluster wilderness hikers based on their motives, and 3) identify key management aspects that contribute to a high quality wilderness hiking experience. Results indicated that wilderness hiking is a niche market and that there are different clusters of wilderness hikers. Hikers were asked to evaluate the critical success factors that contribute towards a memorable hiking experience. From the memorable experience factors, six factors for developing and managing wilderness trails were identified, and the paper proposes a 3A-typology of wilderness hikers, namely admirers, adventurers and amateurs. The significance of this research supports the importance of market segmentation of the nature tourist as well as the importance of recreational activities within protected areas, which, if managed correctly, create a memorable visitor experience. Management implicationsThe article addresses marketing and management implications since the 3A-typology provides a clear profile and describes the motives which may be used for marketing campaigns. Aspects pertaining to the memorable experiences provides trail managers with insight into what wilderness hikers regard as important. Subsequently wilderness hiking trails differ from other types of hiking trails, enabling management and park authorities of assessing which factors will likely result in positive word-of mouth or revisit intention. Furthermore, the six memorable experience factors contribute to the current knowledge-base of this niche market and pinpoints specific areas where management can intervene for sustainable trail promotion.

Examining the structural relations among hikers' assessment of pull-factors, satisfaction and revisit intentions: The case of mountain tourism in Malaysia

The objective of this study is to offer an integrated approach to understanding the pull-factors that influence hikers to hike certain mountains and the causal relations among the assessment of pull-factors, overall satisfaction, and revisit intentions. A research model was proposed in which three hypotheses were developed. Data were collected from a survey of hikers participating in mountain tourism in Malaysia. A total of 396 questionnaires were returned and analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The pull-factors that influence the hikers' to hike certain mountains are the effectiveness of the organising company, trail accessibility, perceived safety risks and the landscape of the mountain. The mountain landscape is the most important factor influencing hikers' assessment to hike certain mountains, followed by the role of the organising company. The mountain landscape emerges as the strongest predictor of the intention to revisit a mountain. Management ImplicationsIn the Marketing for mountain tourism destinations four aspects are relevant:- landscape character- accessibility- organizing company and - perceived risk. Hikers have favourable revisit intentions when they perceive their hiking experience as extraordinary. Therefore marketing and management should help the hikers to value the specific attributes of their hiking experience.

A GIS methodology for modelling hiking experiences in the Grampians National Park, Australia

This paper has applied two commonly used multivariate techniques, principal component and discriminant function analyses to create ‘constructs’ that model and visualise the characteristics of hiking experiences in natural settings. In situ measurements of feelings and experiences were ascertained via a survey questionnaire administered to subjects hiking along the Pinnacle walking track in the Grampians National Park (GNP) in western Victoria, Australia. Four underlying experiences were detected whilst hiking and their relationships with the biophysical characteristics were established. Results show that the biophysical characteristics of landscapes have a strong bearing on hiking experiences in the Grampians. Identified dimensions of hiking experiences were validated using a different site within the GNP through the data logged in GPS receivers along with a brief survey. Using the outcomes of the model, in the form of maps, a novel approach of managing visitors and their likely experiences in national parks can be developed. With careful promotion, a range of nature-based recreational products could be developed or tailored to suit desires and fitness requirements of different types of hikers. Anticipated probability of experiences at locations with their own biophysical characteristics may reduce the chance of encountering ‘undesirable’ experiences that in turn may enhance the satisfaction of tourists with their visits.

Outcomes of hiking the pacific crest trail

The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles bridging Mexico to Canada via California, Oregon, and Washington. Conservation and preservation of trail areas are under continual debate and funding strain. This research provides insight on the outcomes and benefits obtained from trail users. Fifty-six interviews, conducted in Northern California during summer 2010, examined outcomes of participants' long-distance hiking experiences. Outcomes included: developing new perspectives, fun and excitement, and enhanced personal growth. These outcomes led participants to experience a desire to transfer outcomes to other areas of their life, increase their sense of fun and enjoyment of life, and develop warm relationships with others. Results may be used to validate funding, justify fund allocation, and maintain trail spaces in a manner reflecting users' desires. Benefits-Based management approaches may utilize this study to improve experiences and perceptions for stakeholders, including current users, potential users, and potential supporters of trail maintenance and conservation.

How big is the gap? Comparing the behaviours and knowledge of mountain hikers with ecotourism ideals: a case study of Iran

Since the emergence of the concept of ecotourism in the late twentieth century, the influence of knowledge and education on nature tourists' behaviour has been explored in a number of studies. This paper reports on Iranian mountaineering club members' engagement in and awareness of ‘ideal’ ecotourism practice. Also reported are observed relationships between participants' knowledge of ecotourism and engagement in ecotourism behaviour, and two explanatory variables, their level of formal education and hiking experience. A sample of 317 mountaineering club members in Isfahan, Iran, was conducted. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire measuring participants' behaviour in mountain environments and their knowledge of ecotourism, which was conceptualised as having three dimensions, environmental, sociocultural, and economic. Results indicated noticeable gaps between participants' knowledge and behaviour and between these two variables and ideal ecotourism practice. Analysis of variance followed by a Tukey test also revealed significant differences among hiking experience groups regarding participants' engagement in ecotourism and knowledge about ecotourism. No significant differences were found among groups segmented by education level. The importance of hiking experience, knowledge of the issue, and effectiveness of formal education in ecotourism practice is discussed.

Hypoxia reduces the effect of photoreceptor bleaching

Hypoxia and light illumination can both decrease oxygen consumption in the photoreceptor layers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the mutual effects of hypoxia and intense illumination to the photoreceptors are additive. The a-wave of flash electroretinogram (fERG) was recorded to indirectly measure the photoreceptors function under given conditions. Six normal healthy subjects, mean age 34.0 ± 3.8 years, all of whom had high-altitude (>3,000 m) mountain hiking experience, were recruited for the study. Flash a-wave electroretinography was examined under four conditions: (1) normal (D/N); (2) systemic hypoxia induced by inhaling a mixture of O(2) and N(2) gases, which caused oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)) ≈ 80% (D/H); (3) intense light illumination, which resulted in photoreceptor bleaching (B/N); and (4) a combination of conditions b and c (B/H). Thirty light stimuli, each with a 20-ms ON and 1,980-ms OFF cycle, were given and ERG performed to probe the photoreceptor function. The results showed that a-wave at the various conditions did not respond to all stimuli. The average a-wave amplitudes were 91.4 ± 46.5, 22.8 ± 42.5, 15.5 ± 28.9, and 35.2 ± 41.1 μV for D/N, D/H, B/N, and B/H, respectively. Nonparametric Friedman test for a-wave amplitude indicated that significant differences occurred in D/N-D/H, D/N-B/N, D/N-B/H, D/H-B/H, and B/N-B/H (all p values were <0.001, but D/H-B/N was 0.264). Thus, systemic hypoxia or strong illumination to the retina can cause an absence of the ERG a-wave or change its response, although individual differences were observed. In this study, systemic hypoxia appeared to reduce photoreceptor bleaching, an interesting finding in itself. The mechanisms underlying the disappearance of the ERG a-wave following hypoxia or intense illumination to the photoreceptors seem to differ.

Planning Nature-based Hiking Trails in a Tropical Rainforest Setting

Tropical rainforests are under threat and tourism has been identified as one industry that has some potential to add value to this important natural resource. This paper examines how nature-based hiking trails may be developed in a sustainable manner within a planning framework that recognizes the role of inputs and outputs. Consideration of inputs is restricted to visitor demand for hiking experiences and consideration of outputs is similarly restricted to measuring the satisfaction of the hiking experience, although it is acknowledged that the impact of hiking on the ecosystem is also important. A case study approach is adopted, based on an assessment in 2007 of visitor demand and satisfaction with hiking trails in Australia's World Heritage tropical rainforest.

Sock Systems to Prevent Foot Blisters and the Impact on Overuse Injuries of the Knee Joint

The incidence of foot blisters and other overuse injuries of the lower limb is very high during basic military training (BMT). One hundred and eighty-nine subjects were divided into two intervention groups wearing alternative sock systems and one control group. Overall, 57% of the 173 recruits who completed the training, developed foot blisters. Binary logistic regression revealed the type of sock, race, previous hiking or military experience, and known orthopedic foot conditions to be predictive variables for foot blisters. Fifty-three percent of the 173 recruits also developed another overuse injury of the lower limb (25.4% related to the knee joint). Previous military or hiking experience and the association of foot blisters revealed to be predictive for the overuse injuries of the knee joint. The results of the present study suggest associated foot blisters are also an important factor in the development of overuse injuries of the knee joint during BMT.

Is Safety a Concern for Women Runners?

Being fearful or concern for one’s safety is not normally associated with running. (Crawford, Jacksonand Godbey 1991; Mannell and Kleiber 1997) have explored how fears and coping behavior affectleisure experience. In addition, research examining women’s perceptions of leisure have contributedinsights into how women experience fear in leisure settings and how these fears affect their leisureexperience (Henderson 1996; Henderson and Bialeschki 1993; Whyte and Shaw 1994). There hasbeen research exploring the relationship between women, adventure activities and meaning (Little2002), and, women, fear and solo hiking experience, (Coble, Selin and Erickson 2003). Despite thisresearch, no research has explored the relationship between women runners and fear, in the context ofleisure.