OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Walking and Hiking Pace Calculator
Naismith's Rule Hike Time with Ascent
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How the Walking and Hiking Pace Calculator works
This walking and hiking pace calculator estimates how long a route will take from its distance and total climb, using Naismith's rule. Choose a slow, standard or brisk pace, and add a start time to see when you should finish once breaks are included.
How the walking and hiking pace calculator works
William Naismith, a Scottish mountaineer, set out the rule in 1892: allow one hour for every 5 km of distance plus one hour for every 600 m of ascent. The formula is time = distance ÷ speed + ascent ÷ 600 m per hour. The breaks line adds 10 minutes for each full hour of walking.
First example. A 12 km route with 600 m of climbing: 12 ÷ 5 = 2 h 24 min, plus 1 hour for the climb, is 3 h 24 min of walking, or 3 h 54 min with breaks.
Second example. 8 miles with 2,000 ft of ascent is 12.9 km and 610 m: 2 h 34 min plus 1 h 1 min, so 3 h 35 min.
How many km of flat walking is a 600 m climb worth? Naismith's rule makes it 5 km, so every 100 m up counts as about 0.8 km. The "equivalent flat distance" line uses this to compare routes.
The rule ignores descent, rough ground and heavy packs. Tranter's corrections add time for fatigue and terrain; a simple habit is to compare a few of your own walks against the estimate and scale it.
Naismith's rule walking times at 5 km/h by distance and total climb, without breaks
| Distance | Flat | +300 m | +600 m | +1,000 m | +1,500 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 12 min | 42 min | 1 h 12 min | 1 h 52 min | 2 h 42 min |
| 2 km | 24 min | 54 min | 1 h 24 min | 2 h 4 min | 2 h 54 min |
| 3 km | 36 min | 1 h 6 min | 1 h 36 min | 2 h 16 min | 3 h 6 min |
| 4 km | 48 min | 1 h 18 min | 1 h 48 min | 2 h 28 min | 3 h 18 min |
| 5 km | 1 h | 1 h 30 min | 2 h | 2 h 40 min | 3 h 30 min |
| 6 km | 1 h 12 min | 1 h 42 min | 2 h 12 min | 2 h 52 min | 3 h 42 min |
| 7 km | 1 h 24 min | 1 h 54 min | 2 h 24 min | 3 h 4 min | 3 h 54 min |
| 8 km | 1 h 36 min | 2 h 6 min | 2 h 36 min | 3 h 16 min | 4 h 6 min |
| 9 km | 1 h 48 min | 2 h 18 min | 2 h 48 min | 3 h 28 min | 4 h 18 min |
| 10 km | 2 h | 2 h 30 min | 3 h | 3 h 40 min | 4 h 30 min |
| 11 km | 2 h 12 min | 2 h 42 min | 3 h 12 min | 3 h 52 min | 4 h 42 min |
| 12 km | 2 h 24 min | 2 h 54 min | 3 h 24 min | 4 h 4 min | 4 h 54 min |
| 13 km | 2 h 36 min | 3 h 6 min | 3 h 36 min | 4 h 16 min | 5 h 6 min |
| 14 km | 2 h 48 min | 3 h 18 min | 3 h 48 min | 4 h 28 min | 5 h 18 min |
| 15 km | 3 h | 3 h 30 min | 4 h | 4 h 40 min | 5 h 30 min |
| 16 km | 3 h 12 min | 3 h 42 min | 4 h 12 min | 4 h 52 min | 5 h 42 min |
| 17 km | 3 h 24 min | 3 h 54 min | 4 h 24 min | 5 h 4 min | 5 h 54 min |
| 18 km | 3 h 36 min | 4 h 6 min | 4 h 36 min | 5 h 16 min | 6 h 6 min |
| 19 km | 3 h 48 min | 4 h 18 min | 4 h 48 min | 5 h 28 min | 6 h 18 min |
| 20 km | 4 h | 4 h 30 min | 5 h | 5 h 40 min | 6 h 30 min |
| 21 km | 4 h 12 min | 4 h 42 min | 5 h 12 min | 5 h 52 min | 6 h 42 min |
| 22 km | 4 h 24 min | 4 h 54 min | 5 h 24 min | 6 h 4 min | 6 h 54 min |
| 23 km | 4 h 36 min | 5 h 6 min | 5 h 36 min | 6 h 16 min | 7 h 6 min |
| 24 km | 4 h 48 min | 5 h 18 min | 5 h 48 min | 6 h 28 min | 7 h 18 min |
| 25 km | 5 h | 5 h 30 min | 6 h | 6 h 40 min | 7 h 30 min |
FAQ
How long does it take to walk 10 km?
About 2 hours at 5 km/h on flat ground, or 2 h 30 min at a relaxed 4 km/h. Add an hour for every 600 m of climbing and a few minutes each hour for breaks.
What is Naismith's rule?
A rule of thumb for hill walking: 1 hour per 5 km (3 miles) of distance, plus 1 hour per 600 m (2,000 ft) of ascent. It was published by William W. Naismith in 1892 and is still taught by mountain leaders.
Does Naismith's rule include descent?
No. Gentle descents are roughly as fast as the flat, but steep ones slow most walkers. Langmuir's refinement takes off 10 minutes per 300 m of gentle descent and adds 10 minutes per 300 m on steep ground.
What is an average walking speed?
Around 5 km/h (3.1 mph) for a healthy adult on a pavement. Loaded hikers on paths average 3 to 4 km/h before climbing is counted, and older walkers or children are slower.
How much time should I add for breaks?
The calculator adds 10 minutes per hour of walking, which covers short stops for water, photos and navigation. Add a separate allowance for a lunch stop and keep daylight in hand on long winter days.
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