I really love hiking in my spare time
yes I do too
where do you usually hike? in new zealand, a hike is also called "tramping"
New zealand is cool for that
yeah, however in the UK they like to call it "rambling" 
Are there any regulations in other countries for hiking?
not that i know of. it's usually promotoed positively
Are there specialized hiking areas in the United States?
Hiking
Hiking is the preferred term, in Canada and the United States, for a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails (footpaths), in the countryside, while the word walking is used for shorter, particularly urban walks. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, the word "walking" is acceptable to describe "all forms" of walking, whether it is a walk in the park or backpacking in the Alps. The word hiking is also often used in
valuable exhibition that has come to New Zealand".
Death.
Seddon Bennington and longtime family friend, Marcella Jackson, 54, disappeared while tramping in the Tararua Range on the North Island of New Zealand on 11 July 2009. Authorities were alerted after the pair failed to return from a weekend of tramping, as hiking is called in New Zealand. They had planned to hike from Otaki Forks to Kime Hut within the Tararua Range, but were caught in a sudden winter southerly storm on Saturday, 11 July, on