Hiking Time Calculator
Estimate how long a hike will take from distance and climb using Naismith's rule.
About the Hiking Time Calculator
Enter the distance and the total height you'll climb, your pace compared with Naismith's rule, and how many minutes of breaks you take each hour. The calculator shows the moving time, the total with breaks, and how much of the time goes on distance, climbing and stops.
Naismith's rule (1892) allows 1 hour for every 5 km (3 miles) of walking plus 1 hour for every 600 m (2,000 ft) of ascent. It suits fit walkers on good paths; set a lower pace for rough ground, heavy packs or groups.
The formula
Time = distance ÷ 5 km/h + ascent ÷ 600 m/h
- distance
- total route length, in km
- ascent
- total metres climbed, adding every uphill section
Worked example
12 km with 800 m of climbing, 10 minutes of breaks an hour
- Distance: 12 ÷ 5 = 2.4 h
- Climbing: 800 ÷ 600 = 1.33 h, so moving time 3 h 44 min
- With breaks: about 4 h 21 min
Things to keep in mind
- Steep descents, scrambling, snow and navigation in poor visibility all add time.
- Plan to finish well before dark and check the weather forecast for the hills, not the valley.
Questions people ask
Is Naismith accurate?
It's a good baseline for fit walkers; track your own times and adjust.
What about descents?
Gentle descents are quick; steep ones (over about 12°) add time.
Where do I find total ascent?
Route planning apps and guidebooks list it, or count contour lines crossed going uphill on a map.