1. What is Hiking Pace?

Hiking pace measures how long it takes to cover a unit of distance (minutes per mile or kilometer). It helps hikers plan trips, estimate completion times, and maintain consistent speed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple pace formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pace (minutes per mile or kilometer)
• \( T \) — Total hiking time (minutes)
• \( D \) — Distance traveled (miles or kilometers)

Explanation: The equation divides total time by distance to determine how many minutes are needed to cover each unit of distance.

3. Importance of Pace Calculation

Details: Knowing your hiking pace helps with trip planning, estimating arrival times, comparing performance over time, and ensuring you maintain a sustainable speed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total hiking time in minutes and distance in either miles or kilometers. Select your preferred unit. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a good hiking pace?
A: Average pace is 30-60 min/mile (19-37 min/km) depending on terrain, pack weight, and fitness level.

Q2: How does elevation affect pace?
A: Elevation gain significantly slows pace - add 1 minute per mile for every 100 feet (30 meters) of elevation gain.

Q3: Should I use miles or kilometers?
A: Use whichever unit you're comfortable with. The calculation works the same for both.

Q4: How accurate is this for trail running?
A: The formula works for any foot travel, but runners typically measure in min/mile or min/km rather than mph/kph.

Q5: Can I calculate speed instead of pace?
A: Yes, speed (mph or kph) is the inverse: \( S = \frac{D}{(T/60)} \).