What this calculator does
Hiking time (Naismith’s rule) works out estimated walking time for a hike from distance and total ascent. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
Formulatime = distance / flat pace + ascent / 600 m per hour
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Distance (km) | A number, measured in km. Starts at 12. |
| Total ascent (m) | A number, measured in m. Starts at 500. |
| Flat-ground pace (km/h) | A number, measured in km/h. Starts at 5. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with distance
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while distance varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.