How far can the average person hike in a day?

On good trails with moderate terrain, most fit adults can hike 20-25km per day with a daypack. With a full backpack on multi-day trips, 15-20km is more realistic. In mountainous terrain like the Lake District or Scottish Highlands, 12-18km per day is typical due to ascent and rough ground.

What is equivalent flat distance?

Equivalent flat distance converts uphill and downhill sections into an equivalent flat walking distance for effort comparison. A common rule of thumb adds 1km for every 100m of ascent and 0.5km for every 100m of descent. So a 10km route with 500m of ascent feels like a 15km flat walk.

Does terrain type really affect hiking distance?

Yes, significantly. Walking on rough ground, heather, or scree can reduce your speed by 30-50% compared to a good path. This means a 10km rough ground walk can be as tiring as a 15km path walk. Always factor terrain into your planning.

How do I measure hiking distance from a map?

Use a map measurer (opisometer) or string along the route on a 1:25,000 OS map. Multiply the measured distance by the scale factor. Digital mapping apps like OS Maps or ViewRanger measure distance automatically. Remember that map distance is horizontal — the actual walking distance with hills is always slightly longer.

What is a good daily distance for beginners?

Beginners should aim for 10-15km per day on good trails with less than 500m of ascent. Build up gradually over several trips before attempting longer days. Factor in rest breaks of about 10 minutes per hour of walking.

CampCalcs

Hiking Distance Calculator

Calculate total hiking distance with terrain adjustments and daily distance targets.

Map Distance

Horizontal distance from map

Number of Days

Total Ascent

Total Descent

Terrain Type

How We Calculate This

Equivalent Flat Distance

Equivalent flat = Map distance + (Ascent / 100) + (Descent / 200)

This converts elevation changes into extra horizontal distance to reflect the additional effort required.

Terrain Adjustment

The equivalent flat distance is multiplied by a terrain factor: Path (1.0x), Trail (1.15x), Rough (1.35x), Scramble (1.55x).

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Naismith's Rule Calculator

Calculate hiking time using Naismith's rule with adjustments for terrain and fitness.

Trail Time Calculator

Estimate total trail time including walking, rest breaks and photo stops.

Step Counter Calculator

Convert hiking distance to approximate step count based on stride length and terrain.

Calorie Burn Calculator

Calculate calories burned while hiking based on weight, distance, elevation and pack weight.

Gradient Calculator

Calculate trail gradient as a percentage, angle in degrees and ratio from elevation and distance.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.