Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule)
Fill in the values and the answer updates as you type.
How the Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) works
Naismith Rule is a classic mountain walking formula: allow one hour for every 5 km of distance, then add one hour for every 600 m of climbing. Moving time = distance ÷ flat speed + ascent ÷ climbing rate. The rest allowance adds a percentage on top for breaks, photos, and navigation. Slow the speeds down for heavy packs, rough ground, snow, or a tired group. Example: with Trail distance 15 km, Total ascent 900 m, and Walking speed on flat ground 5 km/h, the result is Estimated hiking time = 4 h 57 min; Moving time only (hours) = 4.5; Total time with rests (hours) = 4.95.
Inputs and results
The Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) takes 5 inputs and gives 4 results.
What you enter
- Trail distance (km) — starts at 15.
- Total ascent (m) — starts at 900.
- Walking speed on flat ground (km/h) — starts at 5.
- Climbing rate (m/h) — starts at 600.
- Rest and break allowance (%) — starts at 10.
What you get
- Estimated hiking time
- Moving time only (hours)
- Total time with rests (hours)
- Average pace including rests (km/h)
Example: Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) with the starting values
With trail distance 15 km, total ascent 900 m, walking speed on flat ground 5 km/h, climbing rate 600 m/h and rest and break allowance 10 %, the calculator returns:
| Estimated hiking time | 4 h 57 min |
|---|---|
| Moving time only (hours) | 4.5 |
| Total time with rests (hours) | 4.95 |
| Average pace including rests (km/h) | 3.03 |
Change any value above and the results update straight away.
Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) FAQ
How do I use the Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule)?
Enter trail distance, total ascent, walking speed on flat ground and climbing rate in the fields, then read estimated hiking time, moving time only (hours), total time with rests (hours) and average pace including rests (km/h) in the result panel. The answer updates as you type, and you can press Calculate or Enter to refresh it. Use “Copy link” to share your exact numbers with someone else.
What does the Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) calculate?
Estimate how long a hike takes from distance and total climbing. It returns estimated hiking time, moving time only (hours), total time with rests (hours) and average pace including rests (km/h) from the 5 values you provide.
What values does the Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) start with?
It opens with trail distance 15 km, total ascent 900 m, walking speed on flat ground 5 km/h and climbing rate 600 m/h so you can see a working result straight away. Replace them with your own numbers, or press Reset to return to these starting values.
Is the Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I rely on the Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith Rule) for important decisions?
Treat the result as a well-rounded estimate. Real situations often have details a general calculator cannot know, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. See the Disclaimer for more.