About CalculateHike

CalculateHike exists to answer the question every hiker asks before leaving the trailhead: how long will this take, and what will it take out of me? Our free calculator estimates time on trail using Naismith's Rule with a fitness-scaled ascent correction, and estimates energy expenditure with MET values from the Compendium of Physical Activities, adjusted for pack weight.

Our methodology

Every formula on this site is disclosed on the page where it is used. Time estimates start from the classic rule of one hour per three miles plus one hour per 2,000 feet of ascent, then scale the ascent penalty to your chosen flat-ground pace, because a hiker who moves at 4 mph on flat ground also climbs faster than the 1892 baseline. Calorie estimates multiply MET intensity by body mass and duration. These are planning estimates, not measurements — terrain, temperature, and rest stops all move real numbers.

Editorial standards

Our 25 trail guides are written and fact-checked against published exercise science, land-agency guidance (National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service), and long-standing field practice. Where evidence is mixed, we say so. Nothing on this site is medical advice; consult a physician before starting a new exercise program.

Our network

CalculateHike is part of a family of free fitness calculators: CalculateRun for runners, CalculateWalk for walkers, and CalculateSteps, which converts the distance between any two places into a step count.

Contact

Questions, corrections, or feedback: visit our contact page.