33 hiking quiz questions with answers on trail terms, gear, famous routes and safety. Reveal each answer as you go, or read the full answer key at the end.
Each question has three options with the correct one hidden behind a button, so you can keep score honestly. The answer key below the scoring table collects all 33 hiking trivia questions and answers in one list, which is handy if you want to check a full round at once. The same hiking quiz questions also work read out loud around a camp table, and several of the questions about hiking double as a gear refresher before a trip.
1. What is the longest hiking-only trail in the world?
- A) Appalachian Trail
- B) Pacific Crest Trail
- C) Great Himalaya Trail
2. What does the grade of a hiking trail describe?
- A) Its surface material
- B) Its steepness
- C) Its total length
3. What is the term for a long-distance hiking trail that ends at the same place it begins?
- A) Circuit Trail
- B) Out-and-Back Trail
- C) Dead End Trail
4. What is the main purpose of trekking poles?
- A) Provide balance
- B) Keep wildlife away
- C) Measure distance
5. In which mountain range can you find Mount Everest?
- A) The Alps
- B) The Andes
- C) The Himalayas
- A) Climb the nearest tree
- B) Make yourself look larger and back away slowly
- C) Run downhill as fast as you can
7. Which hiking trail’s nickname is “The King of Trails”?
- A) Appalachian Trail
- B) Continental Divide Trail
- C) Pacific Crest Trail
8. What is the main purpose of gaiters in hiking?
- A) Provide ankle support
- B) Protect shins and keep debris out of shoes
- C) Keep feet dry
9. What is a “thru-hike”?
- A) Hiking the entire length of a trail in one go
- B) Hiking a trail multiple times
- C) Hiking only half of a trail
10. What is the most popular hiking trail in the United States?
- A) Appalachian Trail
- B) Bright Angel Trail
- C) Pacific Crest Trail
11. The Ten Essentials is a list for hikers to ensure they have necessary supplies. What does it include?
- A) Food, water, shelter, first-aid kit, map, compass, fire starter, knife, flashlight, and extra clothes
- B) Map, compass, food, water, tent, knife, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and money
- C) Backpack, water bottle, trekking poles, boots, snacks, binoculars, camera, hat, sunglasses, and gloves
12. What is the term for hiking off-trail through rough or dense terrain?
- A) Switchbacking
- B) Trailblazing
- C) Bushwhacking
13. Which long-distance trail runs through 14 US states?
- A) Pacific Crest Trail
- B) Continental Divide Trail
- C) Appalachian Trail
14. Which is the highest mountain in Africa and a popular non-technical trek?
- A) Mount Kenya
- B) Mount Kilimanjaro
- C) Mount Elbrus
- A) Edward Abbey
- B) Bill Bryson
- C) John Muir
16. In which U.S. National Park can you find the hiking trail known as “Half Dome”?
- A) Yosemite National Park
- B) Grand Teton National Park
- C) Zion National Park
17. Hiking from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail usually takes how many months to complete?
- A) 3-4 months
- B) 5-6 months
- C) 7-8 months
18. Which of the following is NOT a type of hiking terrain?
- A) Scree
- B) Talus
- C) Screnus
19. What is the ideal pace for most hikers to maintain energy and avoid injury?
- A) 2-3 miles per hour (mph)
- B) 4-5 miles per hour (mph)
- C) 6-7 miles per hour (mph)
20. What is the popular acronym used to describe the seven principles of outdoor ethics for hikers and campers?
- A) WILDER
- B) LEAVE NO TRACE
- C) PRESERVE
21. In which country can you hike the world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
- A) Bolivia
- B) Peru
- C) Ecuador
22. What is the name of the large backpack typically used for multi-day hiking trips?
- A) Rucksack
- B) Fanny Pack
- C) Daypack
23. Which of the following hikers is best known for their adventures in the American West and is often called the “Father of the National Parks”?
- A) John Muir
- B) Edward Abbey
- C) Aldo Leopold
24. About how much water do hiking guidelines suggest drinking per hour of moderate hiking?
- A) About half a liter
- B) About two liters
- C) About three liters
25. What is the term for a shelter created from natural materials such as branches, leaves, and snow?
- A) Debris hut
- B) A-frame
- C) Igloo
26. What is the primary function of a hiking boot’s midsole?
- A) Support and cushioning
- B) Waterproofing and insulation
- C) Traction and durability
27. Which of the following trails is considered to be a part of the “Triple Crown” of long-distance hiking in the United States?
- A) Ice Age Trail
- B) Arizona Trail
- C) Continental Divide Trail
28. What type of map shows detailed information about elevation, landforms, and other natural features?
- A) Political map
- B) Road map
- C) Topographic map
29. What is the primary purpose of a rain cover for a hiking backpack?
- A) Provide additional storage space
- B) Protect gear from rain and moisture
- C) Maintain a comfortable back temperature
30. Which of these knots is commonly used by hikers and campers to tie a rope to a fixed object, such as a tree or a post?
- A) Bowline knot
- B) Square knot
- C) Half hitch
31. Which international long-distance hiking trail passes through the Alps and spans eight countries?
- A) GR20
- B) Via Alpina
- C) Camino de Santiago
32. The Five Most Visited Hiking Sites in North America include which of these popular sites?
- A) Uluru, Australia
- B) Chilkoot Gold Rush Trail, Canada
- C) Snowdon, Wales
33. What is the hiking term for a slow, measured pace that allows hikers to conserve their energy during a long hike?
- A) Endurance Pace
- B) Ranger Roll
- C) Rest Step
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | Trail TreaderArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Hill HikerRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Mountain MoverMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | Summit SeekerAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Peak PerformerLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Hiking Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this hiking quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of hiking trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the longest hiking-only trail in the world? | C) Great Himalaya Trail |
| 2 | What does the grade of a hiking trail describe? | B) Its steepness |
| 3 | What is the term for a long-distance hiking trail that ends at the same place it begins? | A) Circuit Trail |
| 4 | What is the main purpose of trekking poles? | A) Provide balance |
| 5 | In which mountain range can you find Mount Everest? | C) The Himalayas |
| 6 | What do park authorities recommend if a black bear approaches you on a trail? | B) Make yourself look larger and back away slowly |
| 7 | Which hiking trail's nickname is "The King of Trails"? | B) Continental Divide Trail |
| 8 | What is the main purpose of gaiters in hiking? | B) Protect shins and keep debris out of shoes |
| 9 | What is a "thru-hike"? | A) Hiking the entire length of a trail in one go |
| 10 | What is the most popular hiking trail in the United States? | A) Appalachian Trail |
| 11 | The Ten Essentials is a list for hikers to ensure they have necessary supplies. What does it include? | A) Food, water, shelter, first-aid kit, map, compass, fire starter, knife, flashlight, and extra clothes |
| 12 | What is the term for hiking off-trail through rough or dense terrain? | C) Bushwhacking |
| 13 | Which long-distance trail runs through 14 US states? | C) Appalachian Trail |
| 14 | Which is the highest mountain in Africa and a popular non-technical trek? | B) Mount Kilimanjaro |
| 15 | Which famous hiker authored the book, “A Walk in the Woods”, about his journey on the Appalachian Trail? | B) Bill Bryson |
| 16 | In which U.S. National Park can you find the hiking trail known as "Half Dome"? | A) Yosemite National Park |
| 17 | Hiking from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail usually takes how many months to complete? | B) 5-6 months |
| 18 | Which of the following is NOT a type of hiking terrain? | C) Screnus |
| 19 | What is the ideal pace for most hikers to maintain energy and avoid injury? | A) 2-3 miles per hour (mph) |
| 20 | What is the popular acronym used to describe the seven principles of outdoor ethics for hikers and campers? | B) LEAVE NO TRACE |
| 21 | In which country can you hike the world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? | B) Peru |
| 22 | What is the name of the large backpack typically used for multi-day hiking trips? | A) Rucksack |
| 23 | Which of the following hikers is best known for their adventures in the American West and is often called the "Father of the National Parks"? | A) John Muir |
| 24 | About how much water do hiking guidelines suggest drinking per hour of moderate hiking? | A) About half a liter |
| 25 | What is the term for a shelter created from natural materials such as branches, leaves, and snow? | A) Debris hut |
| 26 | What is the primary function of a hiking boot's midsole? | A) Support and cushioning |
| 27 | Which of the following trails is considered to be a part of the "Triple Crown" of long-distance hiking in the United States? | C) Continental Divide Trail |
| 28 | What type of map shows detailed information about elevation, landforms, and other natural features? | C) Topographic map |
| 29 | What is the primary purpose of a rain cover for a hiking backpack? | B) Protect gear from rain and moisture |
| 30 | Which of these knots is commonly used by hikers and campers to tie a rope to a fixed object, such as a tree or a post? | A) Bowline knot |
| 31 | Which international long-distance hiking trail passes through the Alps and spans eight countries? | B) Via Alpina |
| 32 | The Five Most Visited Hiking Sites in North America include which of these popular sites? | B) Chilkoot Gold Rush Trail, Canada |
| 33 | What is the hiking term for a slow, measured pace that allows hikers to conserve their energy during a long hike? | C) Rest Step |
Hungry for More? Check out these Resources!
- Our posts about Hiking
- Wikipedia
- International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA)
- UIAA YouTube Channel
FAQ
How many questions are in this hiking quiz?
There are 33 questions. Each one has three options, and the correct answer is hidden behind the reveal button under the question.
Where can I find the hiking trivia questions and answers together?
The answer key under the scoring table lists all 33 questions with their answers in order, so you can check a whole round without revealing them one by one.
Are these hiking trivia questions hard?
They range from easy to specialist. Gear and safety questions are straightforward for anyone who hikes regularly, while the trail history and terminology questions are aimed at experienced walkers.
Can I use these hiking questions for a quiz night?
Yes. Read out the question and the three options, let everyone note a letter, then go through the answer key at the end and count the correct answers.
Is there a hiking quiz for kids?
The questions on gear, mountains and national parks suit younger hikers well. The questions on trail terms and long-distance routes are harder and better for adults.
What is a good score on this hiking quiz?
Anything above half is respectable. The scoring table turns your total into a rank, from Trail Treader at the bottom to Peak Performer at the top.
How long is the Appalachian Trail?
About 2,190 miles, or roughly 3,500 kilometers, running from Georgia to Maine through 14 states. The exact length changes slightly as sections get rerouted.
What are the Triple Crown trails of American hiking?
The Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. Hikers who finish all three are called Triple Crowners.
What are the seven Leave No Trace principles?
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.
