Hiking, Hiking Trail

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Hiking Route, Route, Walking Track, Tramping Track, Backpacking

Category

Activities, Sporting Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the location of a track suitable for hiking

	Source	Description
	Kapitzki	Human figure walking
	NZS 8603	Human figure walking viewed from the side
	Aicher & Krampen	Walking human figure with a rucksack viewed from the side
	NZS 8603	Walking human figure with a rucksack viewed from the side
	Nova Scotia	Side view of walking human figure with a rucksack
	U.S. National Park Service	Human figure viewed from the side with a rucksack, walking with stick
	Schweiz-Mobil	Side view of human figure with a rucksack, walking with stick in hand
	ON Testdesign	Side view of human figure with rucksack, walking with stick in hand
	ÖNORM A 3011	Human figure viewed from the side with hat and rucksack, walking with stick in hand
	SIS	Side view of human figure with rucksack, walking with stick in hand
	PC	Side view of human figure with rucksack, walking with stick in hand
	CNFC	Side view of walking human figure leaning forward with rucksack and walking stick
	NPS	Side view of human figure with rucksack, walking with stick in hand
	Ecuador	Side view of walking human figure with rucksack and walking stick
	ISO 7001	Human figure viewed from the side with a rucksack, walking with stick in hand, tree in top corner
	BTA 1989	Human figure viewed from the side with a rucksack, walking with stick in hand, tree in top corner
	Québec	Human figure viewed from the side, walking with stick in hand, tree
	Peru MST	Side view of walking human figure with rucksack and walking stick, on uneven terrain
	BS 8501:2002	Human figure viewed from the side with a rucksack, walking on uneven terrain
	NZS 8603	Human figure viewed from the side with a rucksack, walking on uneven terrain
	Ecuador	Side view of walking human figure with rucksack, on uneven terrain ascending to peak
	Ecuador	Side view of walking human figure with rucksack, on curved trail, plant
	KSA pr	Side view of walking human figure with rucksack and walking stick, perspective view of curved trail leading to horizon with mountains
	BS 8501:2002	Side view of human figure, walking with stick in hand, displayed inside an arrow pointing upwards
	SADC	Side view of two walking human figures with rucksacks and stick in hand
	SSRS	Side view of two walking human figures with rucksacks
	Extremadura	Man and woman walking, man with rucksack and stick in hand
	STVO D	Side view of two walking human figures, one with stick in hand
	Swiss Post	Side view of upper part of human figure with rucksack, holding stick in hand
	Pacific Bell	Hiking shoe
	BTA 1989	Two footprints behind each other
	Dreyfuss	Footprint of shoe
	UKFC	Footprint of shoe
	UKFC	Footprint of shoe with grooves
	UKFC	Footprint of shoe from sole with heavy tread
	Dreyfuss	Footprint of a shoe on a leaf
	Bolivia	Perspective view of curved trail leading to horizon with tree

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

The collection shown above is only a small selection of the wide variety of pictograms used all over the world to signify Hiking Trail and other closely related terms like for example Hiking, Route, Walking Track, Nature Trail. In some regions very elaborate systems exist for maps and to mark trails of all kind, but most symbols do not provide a clear distinction between the different messages intended. Such a system, as for example used by the United Kingdom Forestry Commission (labeled UKFC above), requires a key to the symbols and has to be learned. Furthermore it has to be questioned if there is a clear distinction between Hiking in the mountains and Mountaineering, which probably should be covered by the referent Climbing, and if such a differentiation on basis of pictograms really makes sense.

Test results found in our database cover several image contents in use:

The results of an Appropriateness Ranking Test conducted by Gehringer (1977) indicate that pictograms displaying one or more human figures walking with a stick in a hand are judged as most appropriate. Just showing a footprint or a shoe and a stick seems to be not enough. Also the version of a hiker labeled Aicher & Krampen above was judged as less appropriate, probably due to the fact that the human figure appears to be jogging/running.

The pictogram variant labeled as ON Testdesign was examined in a Comprehension Test conducted in Austria (Brugger, 1983). It performed almost perfectly as 94 % of the responses were Hiking Trail, Hiking Route, Hiking, or Hiker and could be classified as either correct or almost correct.

Fiori (2008) examined a map symbol similar to the NPS pictogram above on basis of a Comprehension Test, where only 21.3 % of the responses were classified as correct. Wrong responses were among others: Old Man, Passage for the Blind. These responses indicate that the posture of the walking human figure should be rather upright and in no case leaning forward significantly. The rendering of the hiker's legs should also signal dynamic movement to ensure a clear differentiation from symbols related to impairment.

Another aspect that also should be regarded: In some countries (e.g. Bolivia) pictograms showing a walking human figure (with rucksack) on a (curved) trail is used for the message Stay on Hiking Trails (Manténgase en los Caminos).

Recommendations

Hiking Trail

Based on data available we recommend the use of a pictogram similar to the ON Testdesign displayed above. Additional elements, like trees, plants, or mountains for example, would limit the field of application for such a pictogram and should therefore not be used.

Tests of pictograms of referent Hiking, Hiking Trail

Brugger, Ch. (1983): Abschlußbericht über den Erkennungstest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated May 1983, Vienna.

Fiori, S. R. (2008): Mapas para o turismo e a interatividade - proposta teórica e prática. Tese de Doutorado - Depto. de Geografia, FFLCH-USP.

Gehringer, J. (1976): Reihungstest über 8 Begriffe aus dem Sportwesen - Priorität II. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated February 1976, Vienna.