To most people, planning a hike can be tedious, but for me, packing my bag gets me even more excited for the adventure ahead. One of the most important aspects of preparing for my hike is determining how long it will take to complete it. This is important for several reasons. First, you’ll be able to determine what kind of equipment you’ll need during that timeframe, and second, you’ll be able to tell someone when to expect you back in case you go missing. About 600,000 hikers get lost every year in the U.S., so if you’re one of them, calculating this could mean your survival. Here’s how to calculate hiking time.
How to calculate hiking time accurately
If you’re an experienced hiker, you might have noticed that sometimes there is an estimated time listed for a hike in a guidebook or app, which is termed “book time.” Almost across the board, these hike time estimations are calculated using Naismith’s (Time Estimation) Rule, which essentially says that it takes about 1 hour to hike 3 miles plus an additional hour for every 2,000 feet of elevation gained.
Therefore, if you’re hiking 1 mile on a flat trail at a fairly aggressive pace, it will take about 20 minutes. However, most hiking experts say that this is a little ambitious, and the average time it takes to hike a mile is about 30 minutes, once you factor in some of the variables that affect hiking pace besides elevation (pack weight, weather, difficult footing, or terrain, breaks, etc.).
The same calculation principles can be scaled for a hike of any distance. But if you don’t like the look of math, here’s an easy calculator from Trails NH. Below are some examples.
How to calculate hiking time for 3 miles
- To hike 3 miles on a flat trail: 3 mi/3 mph = 1 hour
- To hike 3 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation total: (3 mi/3 mph) + (1,000/2) = 1 hour, 30 minutes
- To hike 3 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation total: (3 mi/3 mph) + (2,000/1) = 2 hours
How to calculate hiking time for 5 miles
- To hike 5 miles on a flat trail: 5 mi/3 mph = 1 hour, 40 minutes
- To hike 5 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation total: (5 mi/3 mph) + (1,000/2) = 2 hours, 10 minutes
- To hike 5 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation total: (5 mi/3 mph) + (2,000/1) = 2 hours, 40 minutes
How to calculate hiking time for 6 miles
- To hike 6 miles on a flat trail: 6 mi/3 mph = 2 hours
- To hike 6 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation total: (6 mi/3 mph) + (1,000/2) = 2 hours, 30 minutes
- To hike 6 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation total: (6 mi/3 mph) + (2,000/1) = 3 hours
- To hike 6 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation total: (6 mi/3 mph) + (3,000/2,000) = 3 hours, 30 minutes
How to calculate hiking time for 8 miles
- To hike 8 miles on a flat trail: 8 mi/3 mph = 2 hours, 40 minutes
- To hike 8 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation total: (8 mi/3 mph) + (1,000/2) = 3 hours, 10 minutes
- To hike 8 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation total: (8 mi/3 mph) + (2,000/1) = 3 hours, 40 minutes
- To hike 8 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation total: (8 mi/3 mph) + (3,000/2,000) = 4 hours, 10 minutes
How to calculate hiking time for 10 miles
- To hike 10 miles on a flat trail: 10 mi/3 mph = 3 hours, 20 minutes
- To hike 10 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation total: (10 mi/3 mph) + (2,000/1) = 4 hours, 20 minutes
- To hike 10 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation total: (10 mi/3 mph) + (3,000/2,000) = 4 hours, 50 minutes
- To hike 10 miles with 4,000 feet of elevation total: (10 mi/3 mph) + (4,000/2,000) = 5 hours, 20 minutes
- To hike 10 miles with 5,000 feet of elevation total: (10 mi/3 mph) + (5,000/2,000) = 5 hours, 50 minutes
How to calculate hiking time for 15 miles
- To hike 15 miles on a flat trail: 15 mi/3 mph = 5 hours
- To hike 15 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation total: (15 mi/3 mph) + (2,000/1) = 6 hours
- To hike 15 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation total: (15 mi/3 mph) + (3,000/2,000) = 6 hours. 30 minutes
- To hike 15 miles with 4,000 feet of elevation total: (15 mi/3 mph) + (4,000/2,000) = 7 hours
- To hike 15 miles with 5,000 feet of elevation total: (15 mi/3 mph) + (5,000/2,000) = 7 hours, 30 minutes
- To hike 15 miles with 7,000 feet of elevation total: (15 mi/3 mph) + (7,000/2,000) = 8 hours, 30 minutes
Other factors that affect hiking pace
Everyone is different, so the time indicated on your favorite trail guide might not be accurate for you. It’s a great idea to consider your situation before you set out and calculate your average hiking speed. There’s a lot that goes into the equation, but here are a few to consider.
Your fitness level and desired intensity
The more fit you are, the faster you’ll hike, so if you’re not quite ready to complete your desired hike, that’s OK. Work on endurance and take a few practice hikes until your physical prowess is up to shape. That said, maybe you don’t want to race up the mountain. If you’re looking for more of a leisurely stroll, take that into account as you calculate your hiking time.
Pay attention to elevation gain
Mountains are one of my favorite places to explore, but the progress will get slower as I get to the top. If your hike has steep climbs and ascents, expect those portions of the hike to take you longer. Not only will you strain over climbs, but you may need to slow your pace due to oxygen changes and altitude sickness. Once you find your hiking speed, add one hour for every 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
Look at the terrain on your hike
Obstacles on the trail, including rough terrain, slippery rocks, steep cliffs, and rivers, can add a significant amount of time to your hike. If you’ve never hiked a trail before, it’s always best to hike with someone who knows it first. Otherwise, you can get a general idea based on reviews or descriptions of the hike.
Consider the quality of the trail markings
A well-marked trail is great because there’s less of a chance to get lost. Hikes with clear signage, consistent markings, wide paths, and clearly marked junctions will be far easier than a remote, less-traveled path. I’m not saying don’t take the road less traveled, but you may want to add to your estimated hiking time to account for any navigation challenges that you might face.
Don’t pack too much
If you’re wary about not packing enough, you’re not alone. Just keep in mind that a heavy hiking pack will make it more difficult for you to stay on pace. For the best of both worlds, choose hiking gear that is made from lightweight materials like aluminum and polyester.
Taking breaks will make your hike longer
Breaks are essential to the hiking experience. I’m not against sitting for a half hour at a great view or hidden overlook, but make sure that you factor in that time when you’re calculating your hiking time. Snacks, photo opportunities, or even shaking rocks out of your boot will influence the total trip time. I like to add a good 10 minutes for every overlook along the way, but you do you.
Consider the possibility of bad weather
I always check the weather before I go on a hike, but there are times when I’m unlucky and I get rained or snowed on. Heavy rain, winds, snow, heat, or even high humidity can slow your hiking pace, so if there’s even a chance of Mother Nature on the horizon, I like to set aside some extra time.
Consider group size
Have you ever noticed that when you hike in a group, you generally go a lot slower? This is because the group can only stay on pace with the slowest hiker in the group — that is, unless you ditch the sorry soul and speed ahead. If you like to charge up to the top of the mountain, hike with other people who are similar to your hiking level. Otherwise, enjoy the daisies.
Final takeaway
Once you calculate how long it takes for you to hike a mile, the rest is fairly simple. Keep in mind that every hike will be different, so always start your hike early if you’re concerned about running out of daylight. It’s always fun to start a timer at the beginning of your hike to see how fast it actually takes you. Then, after some experimentation, you can predict your hiking times with ease.
