Hiking Time Calculator
Estimate hiking time with Naismith's rule plus the Langmuir correction for descent.
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What this tool does
Estimate hiking time with Naismith's rule plus the Langmuir correction for descent. Both rules assume a reasonably fit walker on a reasonable path, and exclude rest stops, scrambling, altitude, river crossings and navigation delays. Add your own stop time on top.
How to use the Hiking Time Calculator
- Enter or select distance (km).
- Enter or select total ascent (meters).
- Enter or select total descent (meters).
- Enter or select descent character.
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
Naismith: hours = distance(km) ÷ 5 + ascent(m) ÷ 600. Langmuir correction: a gentle descent subtracts 10 minutes per 300 m descended, a steep descent adds 10 minutes per 300 m; an average descent makes no change
- distance
- Distance (km)
- ascent
- Total ascent (meters)
- descent
- Total descent (meters)
- descentType
- Descent character
Both rules assume a reasonably fit walker on a reasonable path, and exclude rest stops, scrambling, altitude, river crossings and navigation delays. Add your own stop time on top.
Worked example
For hiking time calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Distance (km): 15; Total ascent (meters): 800; Total descent (meters): 800; Descent character: average.
Inputs
- Distance (km)15
- Total ascent (meters)800
- Total descent (meters)800
- Descent characterAverage / mixed
Result
- Estimated hiking time (hours)4.33
- Estimated hiking time4:20:00
- Naismith time before descent correction (hours)4.33
- Implied moving pace (min/km)17.33
Results explained
- Estimated hiking time (hours)
- Estimated hiking time (hours) from the formula above. Both rules assume a reasonably fit walker on a reasonable path, and exclude rest stops, scrambling, altitude, river crossings and navigation delays. Add your own stop time on top.
- Estimated hiking time
- Estimated hiking time from the formula above. Both rules assume a reasonably fit walker on a reasonable path, and exclude rest stops, scrambling, altitude, river crossings and navigation delays. Add your own stop time on top.
- Naismith time before descent correction (hours)
- Naismith time before descent correction (hours) from the formula above. Both rules assume a reasonably fit walker on a reasonable path, and exclude rest stops, scrambling, altitude, river crossings and navigation delays. Add your own stop time on top.
- Implied moving pace (min/km)
- Implied moving pace (min/km) from the formula above. Both rules assume a reasonably fit walker on a reasonable path, and exclude rest stops, scrambling, altitude, river crossings and navigation delays. Add your own stop time on top.
Frequently asked questions
William Naismith's 1892 rule: allow one hour per 5 km walked plus one hour per 600 m climbed. It is still the baseline of most mountain-time estimates, including this calculator.
Naismith ignored descent entirely. Langmuir found a gentle downhill actually saves time (about 10 minutes per 300 m) while a steep descent costs time at the same rate, because steep ground forces care and braking.
The rules cover moving time only. A common planning allowance is 10 minutes of rest per hour plus longer meal stops — add roughly 15–20% for a relaxed group day.
Usual culprits: rough or boggy terrain, heavy packs, altitude above ~2,500 m, heat, and group pace (a group moves at its slowest member's speed). The rules assume a fit solo walker on a path.
The Hiking Pace Calculator applies base Naismith only. This one adds descent and the Langmuir correction, which matters on routes that finish with a long downhill.