Hiking Time Calculator

Estimate hiking time based on distance and elevation gain using Naismith's Rule. Plan your hiking trips accurately.

Inputs

Distance

miles

Elevation Gain

feet

Pace

min/mile

Use Metric

Tab to move between fields

Results

Total Time

2.67 hours

Total Time

160 minutes

Base Time1.67 hours

Elevation Time1 hours

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the total Distance and Elevation Gain for your hike.
Set your walking Pace (base speed on flat ground).
Toggle Use Metric to switch between miles/feet and kilometers/meters.
Review Total Time, Base Time, and the extra time added for elevation gain.

How the result changes with Distance

Distance	Total Time	Total Time
2	1.67 hours	100 minutes
7	3.33 hours	200 minutes
13	5.33 hours	320 minutes
18	7 hours	420 minutes

What each input means

Distance: Trail distance
Elevation Gain: Total elevation gain
Pace: Your hiking pace (default: Naismith's rule)
Use Metric: 1 for metric (km/m), 0 for imperial (miles/ft)

How this is calculated

Formula

Time = Distance Time + (Elevation Gain / 2000ft)

Worked example, using the default values

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Distance = 5, Elevation Gain = 2000, Pace = 20, Use Metric = 0 = 4 input(s) provided
Calculate Total Time
Total Time
2.6666666666666665 = 2.6666666666666665
Calculate Total Time
Total Time
160 = 160
Calculate Base Time
Base Time
1.6666666666666665 = 1.6666666666666665
Calculate Elevation Time
Elevation Time
1 = 1

Engine last updated July 11, 2026. Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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