Cross country hiking is characterized by walking along backcountry trail systems. With backcountry terrain, you can experience rugged country and challenging trails. As a result, cross country hiking can be an excellent source of physical activity that burns a significant number of calories. But the amount of calories you burn from cross country hiking is dependent on a variety of factors.
Bodyweight
The most important factor contributing to the number of calories burned from cross country hiking is your own bodyweight. For example, if you weigh 160 lbs., you will burn an average of 511 calories per hour. But if you weigh 200 lbs., you increase the calorie burn to 637 per hour.
Intensity
The intensity of your hiking is affected by the terrain of the trails and walking speed. As a result, the intensity changes the amount of calories burned from cross country hiking. For example, if you weigh 240 lbs. and hike at an average speed of 2 mph, you will average 273 calories per hour. Increasing your hiking speed to 3.5 mph, however, increases the amount of calories per hour to 414.
Duration
Cross country hiking trips include day hikes to multi-day trips -- and the duration of the trip is directly proportional to the amount of calories burned. For example, if you weigh 180 lbs. and hike for four hours, you burn about 2,074 calories, according to Health Discovery. Continuing the hike for eight hours increases the total calorie burn to 4,147.
Additional Weight
Along with your bodyweight, pack weight also affects the amount of calories burned while cross country hiking. Light day hikes without a backpack burn an average of 385 calories per hour, notes "Fitness" magazine. An average male carrying a 42-lb. backpack, however, hiking over rugged terrain burns an average of 776 calories per hour, according to Diet and Fitness Today.
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