Hiking Time Calculator
Estimate hiking time using Naismith’s rule with terrain and load adjustments.
About Hiking Time Calculator
Ascent dominates hiking time, and sustained steep descent adds time rather than saving it because footing and braking slow progress. Pack weight compounds both effects. Assuming descent is free is why hikers routinely finish long routes in the dark, since the return leg takes as long as the climb.
Formula
Hiking Time
Naismith with corrections: distance ÷ speed + ascent ÷ 600 + a steep descent penalty
- Naismith’s rule
- One hour per 5 km plus one hour per 600 m of ascent
- descent penalty
- Steep descent slows progress rather than speeding it
Worked example
With the default values below, Hiking Time Calculator returns Estimated Hiking Time of 5.712. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Distanceminimum 0 km
- 16 km
- Total ascentminimum 0 m
- 850 m
- Total descentminimum 0 m
- 850 m
- Walking speed on the flataccepts 0.5–8 km/h
- 4.5 km/h
- Pack weightaccepts 0–40 kg
- 10 kg
Results
- Estimated Hiking Time
- 5.712 h
- Time for the Horizontal Distance
- 3.822 h
- Time Added by Ascent
- 1.523 h
- Time Added by Steep Descent
- 0.367 h
- Estimated Time
- 5h 43m
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Hiking Time
- 3Estimated Hiking Time= 5.712 h
- 4Time for the Horizontal Distance= 3.822 h
- 5Time Added by Ascent= 1.523 h
- 6Time Added by Steep Descent= 0.367 h
- 7Estimated Time= 5h 43m
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 5 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
- These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
- This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Hiking Time calculated?
Naismith with corrections: distance ÷ speed + ascent ÷ 600 + a steep descent penalty Ascent dominates hiking time, and sustained steep descent adds time rather than saving it because footing and braking slow progress. Pack weight compounds both effects.
Why does Hiking Time matter?
Assuming descent is free is why hikers routinely finish long routes in the dark, since the return leg takes as long as the climb.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 5 inputs: Distance, Total ascent, Total descent, Walking speed on the flat, Pack weight. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.