Hiking is a fun and popular outdoor activity that takes you through beautiful natural scenery. It provides great exercise while allowing you to enjoy fresh air and amazing views. As you make your way along trails, you’ll encounter interesting terrain, wildlife, vegetation and landforms. Hiking also lends itself well to riddles and brain teasers that require some creative thinking. Test your nature and hiking knowledge by solving these 47 riddles about the hobby.
General Hiking Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m under your feet all day, comprising rocks along the way. With tree roots growing under me, I’m not dirt and I’m not sea. What am I?
Answer: Trail/Path
Riddle 2
I’m carried in every hiker’s pack, to nourish them along the track. You’ll be searching near and far, for water that will fill my jar. What am I?
Answer: Water bottle/canteen
Riddle 3
I point the way for those who stray, nailed high to trees along the way. Follow me to stay on track, find your way there and back. What am I?
Answer: Trail marker/blaze
Riddle 4
I’m not clothes, no need to wear, I’m brought along with ample care. Unroll me in the dark of night, cozy up and gaze at starry sights. What am I?
Answer: Sleeping bag
Riddle 5
Strapped onto feet traversing all kinds of trails, protecting from rain, mud, rocks and nails. We come in low, mid and high, lace-ups are popular, what am I?
Answer: Hiking boots/shoes
Plant Life Riddles
Riddle 1
I start as a seed then sprout up above, basking in sunlight beaming from above. With bark and leaves and roots that spread, I towered over you until they chopped off my head! What am I?
Answer: Tree/Log
Riddle 2
Green and tall, thriving and small, spot me in bunches as you hike by. Don’t pick me carelessly passing trails, protected by laws to no avail. What am I?
Answer: Trailside vegetation/wildflowers/plants
Riddle 3
Shapely spheres housing seeds galore, the forest floor is my grocery store. Fattening up to feed those around, until I drop down to the ground. What am I?
Answer: Pine cones/acorns/nuts
Wildlife Riddles
Riddle 1
I forage here and there, munching berries without a care. Alert and quick if danger’s near, bushy tail raised I perk my ear. What am I?
Answer: Squirrel, chipmunk
Riddle 2
Camouflaged winged singers residing up above, flitting through the forest chirping songs of love. Bright of color, small and quick, serenading hikers with voices shrill. What are we?
Answer: Birds
Riddle 3
Tiny biters that float on air, landing to nip before you’re aware. Insects that suck, you slap and swear, leaving their meal and two bumps there! What are they?
Answer: Mosquitoes/bugs
Riddle 4
I’m an eight-legged crawly creep, hidden in woods where I eat and sleep. Spin me a web both sticky and draping, to catch brown flies my hunger is craving. What am I?
Answer: Spider
Riddle 5
Horned and regal I stand proud and tall, wandering meadows or clear mountain walls. Grazing and foraging I ramble with care, catching scent of man I stop and stare. What am I?
Answer: Deer/elk/moose
Riddle 6
Shaggy coats blend into our surrounds, peeking from thickets eyes peer around. Travelling in familial packs we call, spotting mankind away we crawl. What are we?
Answer: Bear/wolf/coyote
Hiking Gear Riddles
Riddle 1
Woven crisscross overdressed hiker feet, worn to protect from rocks that painfully meet. Vibram traction keeps me stuck, when muddy trails get thoroughly mucked. What am I?
Answer: Hiking sandals/shoes
Riddle 2
Metal or wood or rubber tipped, plunged into earth and sometimes skipped. Pick me up and tap tap tap, marking trails on your hiking map. What am I?
Answer: Walking stick/trekking poles
Riddle 3
Inclement weather I’ll block in a flash, unfolding quick with a simple smash. Rainproof nylon that breaks the pour, saving skin soaked to the core. What am I?
Answer: Rain poncho/jacket/gear
Riddle 4
Vital apparatus when exploring the wild, sending signals across miles and miles. Indicating location when trails disguise, saving lost hikers because I mobilize. What am I?
Answer: Emergency radio/GPS
Riddle 5
Peering ahead find your way in the murk, battery powered sparking a beam through the dark. Shining on hazards keeping night hikers surefooted, what gadget gets packed and is lifesaving when needed?
Answer: Flashlight/headlamp
Camping Riddles
Riddle 1
Portable dwellings that campers inhabit, staked to the ground where we laugh, sleep and yak it. Sheltering vacationers in parks everywhere, tourists unzip me and slumber inside with care. What am I?
Answer: Tent/camping shelter
Riddle 2
I warm up meals for famished hikers recharging, carry foods needing no fridge or cold storing. Run on propane that heats me up quick, serving hot dogs and beans – they’ll fill up your trick. What am I?
Answer: Camping stove/burner
Riddle 3
Chop me down and whittle my health, I’ll burn for hours by myself. Pack me in, get the fire flowing, for campers at night needing warmth glowing. What am I?
Answer: Firewood log
Riddle 4
Don’t sit on the cold, wet forest floor, take a load off and rest your feet sore. Portable perch brought along for the ride, carry me in, saving dampness outside. What am I?
Answer: Camping chair
Riddle 5
Roasting yummy hot dogs I do to a turn, toasting buns that surround food we yearn. Skewered marshmallows turn golden above, warming hands requiring no oven mitt glove. What am I?
Answer: Campfire
Hazards and Dangers Riddles
Riddle 1
Dry lighting starts me easily spreading, destroying acres and acres while federally dread in. Charring timber till sooty and smoking, raging monster in forests awoke in. What am I?
Answer: Wildfire
Riddle 2
Manmade metal danger you pass every day, brightly painted but in right of way. Serpentine shape I slither cross land, obey the rules or get bit real bad! What am I?
Answer: Pipeline
Riddle 3
Traversing the backcountry sans tracks nearby, we strike quick with venom that no doc can beat. Flicking tongue tests the air watching with patience, inject toxin and perils will come in succession! What are we?
Answer: Rattlesnakes/venomous snakes
Riddle 4
Golden fur but don’t dare hug me tight, adorable creature that still can bite. Foraging bird eggs driving some extinction, my big black eyes are so cute but I can be a woodsland affliction! What am I?
Answer: Raccoon
Riddle 5
Man versus mother nature at times deadly you’ll find, unexpected shifts can shock those not in tune. Bolts strike high country where hikers oft roam, monitoring weather is wise or you may not get home! What is it?
Answer: Lightning storm
Scenic Landmarks Riddles
Riddle 1
We thrust from earth in rows or stand alone, shaped from magma eons ago stone.minmax Trails wind steeply up our slope,only bravest hikers dare to cope. What are we?
Answer: Mountain peaks
Riddle 2
Formed in Ice Ages moving steadfast, deposited debris as we slid past. Homage we’re given for rugged towers, tourists admire our massive powers. What are we?
Answer: Glaciers
Riddle 3
explored by Lewis and Clark’s famous quest, this gorge deepest river cut into earths crest. Crisscrossing bridge ropes and planks transit, a natural wonder not to miss it. What is it?
Answer: Hells Canyon
Riddle 4
I stood geyser ground never known to miss, erupting major with steamy angry hiss.obicuous pool runoff channeled this way,prismatic bacteria in glittering array. What am I?
Answer: Grand Prismatic Spring
Riddle 5
For ages rivers wrong turn here did flow,carving out canyons, caves down below.hike in descending this chasm most deep,or gaze from the rim absorbing sights to keep. What is it?
Answer: Grand Canyon
Weather Riddles
Riddle 1
Billowing fluffy puffs dotting sky blue, floating lazily air currents adrift. Drifting above us ever shifting whirling, sun blocking innocently no tax or tithing. What am I?
Answer: Clouds
Riddle 2
Condensation builds droplets collecting en masse, grey barrier develops rain will soon cascade.Gloom descends hiking trails obscuring scene,soaking soil and all forest greens. What is it?
Answer: Fog
Riddle 3
Storming belligerent fists pound earth mightily, as gods argue violently up on high.ominous darkness precedes wet onslaught,wise hikers flee avoiding getting caught. What is it?
Answer: Thunderstorm
Riddle 4
I wet boots trudging many a winding mile, my soulful drops quench nature’s every style. Vital ingredient sustaining all beings,h20 molecules change state when I’m steaming. What am I?
Answer: Rain/precipitation
Riddle 5
Bedecking meadows and mountain flowers rare, coating hills ide glittering diamonds wear.powder paradise ski bums and boarders crave,bringing big business winter fortunes they save. What is it?
Answer: Snow
After the Hike Riddles
Riddle 1
Weary muscles beg for me after miles logged away, soaking body refreshes even brightens fatigued day. Immersing yourself, aches float downstream, unwind completely cleansed once agleam. What am I?
Answer: Hot bath/shower/soak
Riddle 2
Foaming nectar I’m considered by most, lining me up post trail toasted the days host. Brewed invigorating from cultivated shrubs,kick back satisfied leisurely with mugs. What am I?
Answer: Cup of coffee/tea/beverage
Riddle 3
Wipe dripping sweat ready for gourmand delight, ravenous cravings need a plate piled bright. Chow down re-energize all food groups partaking,REFUELING machine beings again soon awakening. What’s next?
Answer: Hearty nutritious meal
Conclusion
That completes this series of 47 riddles about hiking along with their answers. Covering all aspects of hiking and camp life including gear, mileage, weather and after trail refueling and relaxing. How did you do solving them – were any especially challenging or did they provide enjoyable mental stimulation? Improves your brain power flexing those puzzle solving muscles! Quiz your hiking companions next time you’re resting boots by a burbling stream or sitting around the flickering flames of your fire circle.