Free tool
Hiking time calculator
How long will a hike take? Type the distance and elevation gain, choose your pace, and the calculator does the rest.
How it works
The calculator uses Naismith’s rule, worked out by Scottish mountaineer William Naismith in 1892:
- Hike the distance at your chosen pace (2, 2.5 or 3 miles an hour).
- Add 30 minutes for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain (1 minute for every 10 meters).
- Add your breaks.
Worked examples
| Hike | Miles | Gain (ft) | At 2.5 mph, no breaks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy lake loop | 3 | 200 | about 1 hr 20 min |
| Half-day hike to a viewpoint | 6 | 1,200 | about 3 hr |
| Big summit day | 10 | 3,500 | about 5 hr 45 min |
When to allow more time
- Altitude: above about 8,000 feet most people slow down, especially on the first day.
- Heat and desert: slow down and take more breaks.
- Rough ground: scrambles, boulders, snow, mud and stream crossings.
- Steep descents: Naismith adds nothing for going down, but steep downhill is slow on tired knees.
- Kids, groups and photographers.
Your own pace is the best guide. Log a few hikes with times and you’ll soon know how you compare. Our hiking planner works out your average speed for you.