Hiking Time: Using Naismith's Rule on a Real Route
Naismith's rule is old, simple, and still useful. This post shows the distance-plus-ascent maths and when to add extra time.
What is the Hiking Time Calculator?
Naismith's rule allows one hour per 5 km plus one hour per 600 m of ascent, and this tool adds your planned breaks on top. Enter distance, total ascent, and break time to get a total. It is a planning estimate — fitness, terrain, and weather can stretch or shrink it.
How to use it
- Enter the route distance in kilometres.
- Enter the total ascent in metres.
- Enter planned break minutes and click Estimate Hiking Time.
Worked example
10 km with 600 m of ascent gives 3 hours of walking, or 3 hours 30 minutes with 30 minutes of breaks.
Does Naismith's rule work for steep descents?
Not perfectly. Very steep descents slow most walkers, so add a margin on routes with long steep drops.
Frequently asked questions
What about rough ground?
Rough, muddy, or pathless ground slows you beyond the basic rule, so build in extra time.
Is this a safety plan?
No, it is a time estimate. Check daylight, weather, and daylight margins separately.