Hiking time calculator.

How the time is worked out

1. Flat time: distance ÷ walking speed (default 5 km/h, 3 mph).
2. Climb time: total ascent ÷ climbing rate (default 600 m per hour, about 2,000 ft). Together these two are Naismith’s rule.
3. Descent (Langmuir): on gentle descents under 5 degrees, nothing changes. On descents of 5 to 12 degrees subtract 10 minutes per 300 m (1,000 ft) descended. On descents steeper than 12 degrees add 10 minutes per 300 m.
4. Rests: your minutes per hour of moving time are added to get total time.

Worked example. 12 km with 600 m up and 600 m down, gentle descent, 5 minutes rest per hour: 144 minutes flat + 60 minutes climbing = 204 minutes moving, plus 17 minutes rest = 3 h 41 min.

Naismith’s rule suits fit walkers on good paths in daylight. Fatigue, pack weight, snow, scrambling, heat and navigation all add time, so leave a margin and check sunset. Sources (opened 2026-10-04): W. W. Naismith, Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal, 1892 (1 hour per 3 miles plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft of ascent); the Langmuir descent correction as taught in Mountain Training UK mountain leader courses (Langmuir, Mountaincraft and Leadership, 1984).

FAQ

What is Naismith's rule?

An 1892 rule of thumb: allow one hour for every 5 km (3 miles) walked plus one extra hour for every 600 m (2,000 ft) climbed.

How long does a 10 km hike take?

On flat ground at 5 km/h it is 2 hours. Each 600 m of climbing adds an hour, so a 10 km hike with 600 m of ascent is about 3 hours before breaks.

Does it count descent?

Gentle descents are ignored. Naismith did not cover descents, so the Langmuir correction here subtracts time on moderate slopes and adds time on steep ones.

Why is my hike slower than the estimate?

Naismith suits fit walkers on good paths. Heavy packs, mud, snow, scrambling, heat and photo stops make real hikes slower, so lower your flat speed or climbing rate.

Can I use miles and feet?

Yes. Pick miles, feet, mph or ft/h from the unit lists beside each input; the tool converts for you.