In the 19th century, long-distance hiking hardly existed as an endeavour. Ordinary people were fixated on a daily struggle to lift themselves from poverty with the result that esoteric practices, such as multi-day hikes, didn’t really feature as leisure options. Walking was dictated by necessity and people avoided it if they could since it was seen, not as pleasurable, but as a means to an end. Change came in the early 20th century with a movement in the USA that viewed extended hiking not as a chore, but as having merit in itself.

Source: Irish Examiner January 18, 2026 10:02 UTC