Hike Time Estimator

"How long will this walk take?" Enter a route's distance and total ascent, pick your pace, and we'll estimate the walking time using Naismith's Rule — the planning benchmark used on UK hills for over a century — then add a realistic window once you factor in breaks. For planning only, no sign-up.

1. The route

Total ascent is the sum of all the climbing on the route (your map app or GPX file will show it) — not just the summit height.

2. Your pace on flat ground

The classic Naismith pace is 5 km/h; we adjust the flat-ground portion to your chosen pace and add the standard climbing time on top.

3. Breaks (optional)

Lunch, photos, layer changes. Naismith's Rule is moving time only, so add your stops here for a realistic door-to-door figure.

Hike-time questions, answered

What is Naismith's Rule?

A planning rule devised by Scottish mountaineer William Naismith in 1892: allow about one hour for every 5 km of distance, plus an extra hour for every 600 m of ascent. It's a moving-time estimate for a reasonably fit walker on decent ground, and it's been the standard back-of-the-envelope method for UK hill walks ever since. This tool applies it with your chosen pace for the flat portion.

Why is my real walk sometimes longer?

Naismith assumes good conditions and doesn't account for rough or boggy ground, scrambling, deep snow, heavy packs, navigation in poor visibility, or tiredness late in a long day — all of which slow you down. Treat the estimate as a best-case moving time and give yourself a generous margin, especially if the finish is near dusk.

Does it account for going downhill?

Basic Naismith doesn't — gentle descents are treated as normal walking, which is what this tool does. In reality very steep descents can actually slow you down rather than speed you up (Tranter's and Langmuir's refinements adjust for this). For most rolling UK routes the basic rule is close enough for planning; add margin for relentlessly steep descents.

How should I use the estimate?

For planning your start time and turn-around time, not as a guarantee. Add your expected breaks (step 3), then work back from when you need to be off the hill — ideally well before dark. If the numbers are tight, start earlier or pick a shorter route. Always carry a headtorch and check the forecast.