How Fast To Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most ordinary hikers stick to walking and average

2 miles an hour

, while most trail runners clock 6 to 10 miles an hour. Speed hiking usually falls somewhere in the middle, right around 4 to 5 miles an hour.

How fast is the average hiker?

According to Ramblers (opens in new tab), the average walking speed for adult hikers is

2.5 miles per hour

, without accounting for stops. Other sources, however, quote speeds ranging from 1.5 miles per hour to a sprightly 3.5 miles per hour.

How long does a 3 mile hike take?

Naismith’s Rule – Simply put, Naismith’s rule states that: “One should estimate

one hour

for every 3 miles (5 km) of hiking, plus an additional hour for every 2,000 feet (600m) of elevation gain.”

What is a good hiking pace per mile?

Average Hiking Pace is generally

between 20 minutes per mile and 60 minutes per mile

depending on steeepness, trail conditions, and other factors.

Can you hike 10 miles a day?

If your fitness level is relatively good and the hike isn’t littered with hills, mountains, or other obstacles, your 10-mile hike could be around four to five hours. However,

if there are large hills or steep slopes, it’s possible a 10-mile hike could take all day

.

Is a 10-mile hike long?

A 10-mile hike can take

between 4 and 10 hours

, depending on the pace, trail surface, elevation gain, and pack weight. Additional variables can affect the amount of time it takes to hike this distance, such as your level of fitness, the number of rest breaks you take, and the weather.

How far can I hike in a day?

Taking this average pace and applying it to an 8-hour hiking day (not including rest breaks), it is possible for an average person to hike between

16 – 24 miles per day

. There are some people in the “super fit” category that are capable of hiking between 30 – 50 miles per day.

What’s a fast hiking pace?

For the most part, aiming to cover 12-18 miles in a day will mean you’re at a decent pace. However, if you’re pushing yourself, more experienced hikers may aim to cover 25 miles a day. Generally, 2 MPH is a good speed, 3 MPH is great, and

4 MPH

is very fast.

How fast do backpackers walk?

On average, a backpacker with some experience usually treks at speeds ranging from

2.5 to 3.5 miles per hour

. At this speed, if you hike for 7 hours each day of your trip, you can trek between 17.5 and 24.5 miles.

How long will it take to hike 5 miles?

5 Mile Hike. For the average hiker, a 5 mile hike should take about

one and a half to three hours

. However, there are several variables that can affect that time.

Is a 5 mile hike good exercise?

Research (and personal experience) has proven that hiking offers a host of physical and mental health benefits. Not only does it help you lose weight, strengthen muscles, reduce disease and optimize endurance, it also reduces stress. As experts have advised,

exercising every day is encouraged in moderation

.

How long does a 10 mile walk take?

On average, walking 10 miles may take roughly

150 minutes

when going along at a natural or brisk pace. Trail and uphill walking will also take longer to complete a mile, but ultimately will burn more calories.

How many miles should I hike a day?

Most people will plan to hike

3-10 miles per day

, depending on what shape you’re in and how much elevation gain there is.

How can I hike 30 miles a day?


Pacing is the key to accomplishing a 30-mile hike

. Without a formal plan in place for your pacing and timing, your odds of success will be drastically lessened. The first step is to start the day off right. Wake up early, 30 minutes before sunrise, and give yourself time to pack and prepare for the day.

Is a 6 mile hike long?

Discover this

6.00 mile

, loop trail near Newbury Park, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 57 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, trail running, and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

How long do hikes usually take?

While there are many variables involved, it takes the average person

30 minutes to hike a mile on gentle terrain

. It is important to know your pace compared to an average hiker when planning a hike. This way you know approximately how long it will take you to complete your trip.

How long should a 9 mile hike take?

Using Naismith’s Rule, a nine mile hike should have a base hiking time of

three hours

at a calculation of three miles per hour. The elevation gain was 3,169 feet. Adding on 10 minutes to the overall hike time for every 328 feet, that’s roughly 100 minutes to tack on.

Does hiking burn fat?

Since hiking is a form of cardio,

it does indeed burn belly fat

. Moreover, it even builds muscle. Hiking is not only an effective way to burn calories and shed excess weight, but could also strengthen your body.

How long does 8 miles take to walk?

Miles Relaxed Pace Normal Pace 7 miles 2 hrs, 20 mins 1 hr, 45 mins 8 miles

2 hrs, 40 mins

2 hrs
9 miles 3 hrs 2 hrs, 15 mins 10 miles 3 hrs, 20 mins 2 hrs, 30 mins

Is an 8 mile hike good?


An 8 mile hike can easily take 4 to 7 hours depending on the speed, terrain surface, pack weight, elevation gain, and the number of rest breaks you need to take

. There are several variables that will determine your actual hiking time.

Does hiking get easier?

You can’t expect to climb mountains without first hiking a few hills. Start out with some short, flat trails to get some dirt on your boots. Then gradually increase your mileage and elevation gain over time. Those first few steps are the hardest, but

they get easier with every hike

!

How can I hike 25 miles a day?

Hike More Hours:

Start Early and Finish Late

To hike 25 miles at an average of 3 mph would take only 8 hours and 20 minutes. If you want to hike long distances, then hiking during daylight hours is a great goal to aim for. Depending on the time of year, that could be 14-plus hours of hiking.

Can I walk 20 miles a day?

Trained Walkers


If a walker is well-trained and is taking breaks and a meal stop, then 20 miles a day is reasonable

. If you take no breaks and are going fast, you may be able to cover 30 miles if you have steadily built your mileage over the course of three to six months.

How long does a 16 mile hike take?

From there, it is mostly a flat hike, with some uphill sections thrown in, across the plateau, before finally descending a few thousand feet into the canyon on various switchbacks. This hike would take the duration of the day,

10-12 hours

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.