Hiking Speed

What is Average?

Hikers will vary in their conditioning, weight of gear, natural fitness, comfort range, and several other factors that influence hiking speed. With all these considered, most hikers will average about 2-3 miles per hour (3.2-4.8 km/h).

Besides personal differences, different trails will have a huge impact on your hiking speed. Some trails are at a higher elevation, which decreases the amount of oxygen replenishing your muscles. Sand or gravel can make hiking more difficult as well. Some hikes are more rugged, and while they may not go very high in elevation, you may constantly be climbing or descending small hills along the way.

Another huge factor is whether you are hiking or backpacking. Backpacking packs can often weigh 20-30 pounds. This not only reduces your speed, but may require you to take more breaks just to give your shoulders and hips a rest. 3 miles per hour would be an excellent pace for a backpacker.

All-in-all, people are different and trails are different. You should never compare your speed to anything unless it’s your own previous speed on the same trail. Just be proud of yourself for getting out there.

How to measure Hiking Speed

While measuring your hiking speed may seem like a simple task, it’s hard to get an accurate length of the trail. Trail signs are often based on old, outdated maps that someone measured manually. Even measurements done with a GPS can be inaccurate if the GPS is more than a few years old. If you have a GPS receiver, make sure that it’s set to make the most accurate recordings (most often). Even so, if the trail is zigzagging a lot, assume that it is longer than reported and that you are going faster than you or your GPS can calculate. Most GPS units for hiking will have a way to display your average speed.

Overall Average versus Moving Average

There are two basic ways to measure your hiking speed: overall average and moving average. Overall average divides the distance you travelled by the entire time you spend on the trail — from first setting out until ending for the day. Moving average divides the distance you travelled by the time you were hiking, ignoring water breaks, snack breaks and general “breathers.” While the overall average is a more valid measure of your hiking abilities, there’s nothing wrong with ignoring the nice hour-long lunch you took in that scenic meadow.

Elevation Effects

As soon as you start to hit the 8,000-9,000 foot elevation range the thin air can really start to affect your hiking abilities. You might find yourself breathing more heavily, feeling weaker in the muscles, having a faster heart rate, and even feeling dizzy. Others may notice nothing more than the nice crisp air. The higher you get, the more the elevation will affect you. Take this into account if you notice your pace suddenly slowing. Plan ahead for higher elevation hikes — don’t assume that you will be able to go as fast as you normally can. It may help to spend the night before at a similar altitude — maybe camp at the trailhead or find lodging in the area. Also remember to drink plenty of water and not to overexert yourself — it’s bound to be at least somewhat dangerous if you are hiking at those altitudes.


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