That comes to about 4 h 39 min. A leisurely group or one with a lunch stop should plan on 6 hours or more.
How the hiking time calculator works
HikingTimeCalc uses Naismith’s rule: 1 hour for every 5 km (3.1 mi) of horizontal distance plus 1 hour for every 600 m (about 2,000 ft) of ascent. If you choose a descent rule it applies Langmuir’s corrections, subtracting 10 minutes per 300 m of gentle descent (never below the flat-ground time) or adding 10 minutes per 300 m of steep descent. The moving time is multiplied by your pace factor, from 0.8 for fast, fit hikers to 1.5 for a heavy pack or young children, and a 10-minute break is added for every hour of walking if breaks are on. Your start time gives an estimated finish time.
Hiking time by distance and elevation gain
Moving time at an average pace, no breaks.
| Distance | Flat | +1,000 ft | +2,000 ft | +3,000 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mi | 39 min | 1 h 9 min | 1 h 40 min | 2 h 10 min |
| 4 mi | 1 h 17 min | 1 h 48 min | 2 h 18 min | 2 h 49 min |
| 6 mi | 1 h 56 min | 2 h 26 min | 2 h 57 min | 3 h 27 min |
| 8 mi | 2 h 34 min | 3 h 5 min | 3 h 35 min | 4 h 6 min |
| 10 mi | 3 h 13 min | 3 h 44 min | 4 h 14 min | 4 h 45 min |
| 12 mi | 3 h 52 min | 4 h 22 min | 4 h 53 min | 5 h 23 min |
Real hiking times vary with terrain, weather, altitude, fitness and group size. Snow, scrambling, river crossings and off-trail navigation can double them. Check sunset time and carry a headlamp.
Frequently asked questions
Can a beginner hike 10 miles?
Many can on easy trail, but build up with shorter hikes and start early so there is no rush.
How long is 10 miles in steps?
Roughly 20,000–25,000 steps, depending on stride and terrain.
How long to hike 10 miles with 3,000 ft of gain?
About 4 h 45 min of moving time at an average pace, plus breaks: change the elevation above to see it.
Is HikingTimeCalc free?
Yes, with no sign-up or ads, and your trail details stay in your browser.
Is this estimate safe to rely on?
It is a planning estimate. Check the trail, weather and daylight, carry the essentials and turn around if conditions or time are against you.