Hiking Time Calculator
Turn a trail’s distance and elevation gain into a realistic time on your feet — Naismith’s rule, cross-checked with Tobler and scaled for your pace.
Plan the day, not just the distance
Distance alone tells you almost nothing about how long a hike takes — 12 flat kilometres and 12 kilometres up a 900-metre climb are completely different days. By folding elevation gain into the estimate, Naismith’s rule gives you a figure you can actually plan a start time and a turnaround around.
Once you have a time, check whether the climb makes it a genuine effort with the Trail Difficulty Rating, and make sure you finish before dark with the Daylight Turnaround Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Naismith's rule work?
Naismith's rule, devised by Scottish mountaineer William Naismith in 1892, allows one hour for every 5 kilometres you walk on the flat, plus an extra hour for every 600 metres of ascent. So a 10 km route with 600 m of climb comes out at about three hours before rests. It has been the standard planning figure in mountain guidebooks for over a century because it is simple and works well on rough hill ground.
What does the Tobler cross-check add?
Tobler's hiking function estimates walking speed directly from the gradient — you walk fastest on a very slight downhill and slow sharply as the ground steepens. We apply it to the average slope of your route as a second, independent estimate. When Naismith and Tobler roughly agree you can trust the figure; when they diverge a lot, the terrain is steep enough that you should plan conservatively.
Should I add time for rests and breaks?
Yes. Both formulas estimate moving time only. Add time for snack and photo stops, navigation, water refills, difficult footing, river crossings, and fatigue on a long day. A common approach is to add 25–50% for a full mountain day, or simply choose the leisurely pace setting, which lengthens the estimate to reflect a heavier pack or a relaxed group.
Can I rely on this for a safe return before dark?
Treat it as a planning aid, never a guarantee. Weather, group fitness, and terrain can all blow an estimate wide. Pair it with the daylight turnaround calculator, always carry a headlamp, and set a hard turnaround time so a slow ascent does not leave you finishing in the dark.
Estimates only. Moving time from Naismith’s rule and Tobler’s function; real time depends on terrain, load, weather, and rests. Always carry a headlamp and plan a margin. Not a substitute for sound trip planning and judgement.