That is about 19 minutes. Change the elevation gain and pace to see how a hilly mile, a heavy pack or a group with kids changes the time.
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
How long does it take to hike a mile uphill?
Add about 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of gain to the 19–20 flat minutes, so a mile with 1,000 ft of gain takes around 50 minutes.
Is hiking slower than walking?
Yes. Uneven trail, roots and rocks slow most people to 2–3 mph even on flat ground, compared with 3–4 mph on pavement.
How long to hike a mile with kids?
Use the heavy pack or kids pace (× 1.5), about 30 minutes per flat mile, and add breaks.
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.