‘远足’ literally means ‘far foot’ — combining 远 (yuǎn, ‘far’ or ‘distant’) and 足 (zú, ‘foot’ or ‘to walk’). It refers to a recreational outdoor activity involving walking or hiking, usually in natural settings like mountains, forests, or parks. Unlike casual strolling, 远足 implies purposeful travel over some distance, often as a group activity organized for leisure, exercise, or education.

The term is commonly used in school contexts (e.g., class field trips), family outings, or weekend excursions. While it overlaps with ‘hiking’, 远足 carries a milder, more accessible connotation — it doesn’t necessarily imply rugged terrain or technical gear. It’s also distinct from 登山 (dēngshān, ‘mountain climbing’) or 徒步 (túbù, ‘trekking’), which suggest greater physical challenge or longer duration. In daily speech, 远足 sounds friendly, wholesome, and socially oriented — often evoking images of packed lunches, scenic trails, and shared discovery.