Walking Time Calculator (UK)
Quick answer: allow 1 hour for every 5 km (3 miles) plus 10 minutes for every 100 m you climb. That's Naismith's rule, the standard used by UK walkers and mountain leaders. Plug your route in below for an estimate that also counts descents, your pace and breaks.
Moving time: – · With breaks: –
Estimates only. Bogs, scrambling, snow, darkness and navigation slow you down. Always leave a margin before sunset.
How the calculator works
Naismith's rule (1892): 1 hour per 5 km of horizontal distance, plus 1 hour per 600 m of ascent. Langmuir's correction adds about 10 minutes for every 300 m of steep descent (steeper than about 12°), because steep ground down is slow on tired legs. We then scale by pace (relaxed ×1.25, fit ×0.85) and add your break allowance.
How long does it take to walk…? (average pace, no breaks)
| Distance | Ascent | Moving time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 km (3.1 mi) | 0 m | 1h 00m |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) | 300 m | 1h 30m |
| 10 km (6.2 mi) | 0 m | 2h 00m |
| 10 km (6.2 mi) | 500 m | 2h 50m |
| 10 miles (16.1 km) | 0 m | 3h 13m |
| 10 miles (16.1 km) | 800 m | 4h 33m |
| 20 km (12.4 mi) | 1000 m | 5h 40m |
| 26 km (16.2 mi) | 1600 m | 7h 52m |
Plan the rest of your day
- Free step-by-step routes: UK trail guides, including Snowdon via the Pyg Track and Kinder Scout.
- What to pack: free hiking gear checklist.
- Walking in the dark? Pack a torch: best head torches.
FAQ
How long does it take to walk 10 miles?
On mostly flat ground most adults walk about 3 miles (5 km) an hour, so 10 miles takes roughly 3 hours 15 minutes of moving time. Add 10 minutes for every 100 m of climbing and time for breaks, so a hilly 10-mile walk with 500 m of ascent is usually 4 to 5 hours door to door.
What is Naismith's rule?
Naismith's rule, devised by Scottish mountaineer William Naismith in 1892, estimates walking time as 1 hour for every 5 km (3 miles) of distance plus 1 hour for every 600 m (2,000 ft) of ascent. It is the standard starting point for planning UK hill walks.
Does Naismith's rule include breaks?
No. It estimates moving time only. Add time for stops, photos and lunch; this calculator lets you add a break allowance per hour.
How accurate is Naismith's rule?
It is a planning estimate. Fitness, pack weight, rough or boggy ground, snow, navigation and group size all change real times, so experienced walkers adjust it with corrections such as Langmuir's descent adjustments and their own pace.
How long does it take to walk up Snowdon?
The main routes to the 1,085 m summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) are around 11 to 15 km return with 700 to 1,000 m of ascent. Most walkers take about 5 to 7 hours return including stops.