There is a ***lot of****difference between the two paths. I decided to stay on the technical path after 9 years. It is not easy, but it has been fun. It requires a lot of patience, reading up on the latest technologies, setting up your own lab at home, trying out things, learning new things, taking certification tests, etc.
If you choose to go on the management track, you have to schmooze, play golf well, communicate well, manage schedules and meetings well, dress better, possibly get an MBA from a reputable University, learn to talk with higher level executives, manage projects/people in an efficient way.