Hike Time Calculator
Enter a route’s distance and total ascent to estimate your time on the hill with Naismith’s rule — tune the pace and add rest stops for an unhurried day.
Estimated time on the hill
Based on Naismith’s rule: your chosen pace over the distance, plus one hour for every 600 m of ascent. It’s a moving-time estimate for a fit walker in good conditions — add extra for heavy packs, rough ground, heat, altitude, or a leisurely pace.
Plan the day, not just the distance
In hill country, distance alone tells you very little. A short walk that climbs steeply to a village above the valley can take longer than a rambling riverside path twice its length. Naismith’s rule fixes that by costing the climb separately, so your plan reflects the shape of the ground.
Slow travel is about arriving unhurried. Knowing a walk is a comfortable three-hour outing rather than a six-hour push lets you build in a long lunch at the top, time for photographs in good light, and a return before the shadows lengthen in the valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naismith's rule?
Naismith's rule is a walker's rule of thumb from 1892 for estimating how long a hill route will take. The classic version allows one hour for every 5 km on the flat, plus an extra hour for every 600 m of climb. This calculator uses that method and lets you change the pace and climbing rate to match your own speed.
Does it account for the ascent?
Yes — that's the point. A flat 15 km and a 15 km route with 900 m of climbing take very different amounts of time. The calculator adds climbing time separately, at 600 m per hour by default, so a hilly route is estimated realistically rather than as if it were flat.
Should I add time for breaks?
The base estimate is moving time for a fit walker in good conditions. Use the rest allowance field to add a few minutes per hour for photos, snacks, and breathers — a relaxed hill day might add 10–15 minutes per hour. Also allow extra for heavy packs, rough or boggy ground, heat, snow, or altitude.
Does it include descent?
No. Naismith's basic rule doesn't add or subtract time for going downhill — gentle descents roughly balance out against the flat pace. Steep or awkward descents can actually be slower, so on rugged terrain treat the result as a minimum and give yourself a margin before dark.
A moving-time estimate for a fit walker in good conditions. Terrain, weather, pack weight, and altitude all add time — always carry a map, check the forecast, and allow a margin before dark.