You hike at a pace uniquely yours, just like everyone else.
One person’s “easy” is another person’s “challenging,” so instead of classifying hikes, we help people find their pace.
Forever pace
Your personal “forever pace” is the speed at which you feel like you could continue indefinitely on an even, level path, in good weather. If you can think more about your route than the time getting around, you’ve likely found your forever pace.
You can find yours by timing yourself on a one-mile walk. Record yourself on different, easy terrain (such as a level street sidewalk, a city park path, an easy trail) to get a good average.
Average speed
On average, we’ve found that people hike at two miles (3.2km) per hour over most terrain. On even, level ground, most people can keep up 3mph (4.8km/h) — but that’s an average over a broad range of people from different walks of life. Extremely steep or uneven terrain, like at the top of Bishop Peak, will slow most people to 0.5–1 mph (0.8–1.6 kph).
Three factors that affect how long you’ll spend on a hike are weather, your forever pace, and the terrains you’ll encounter. It’s possible to hike at 2–3mph on part of a hike, then slow as the trail gets steeper or more rugged. The out-and-back trail to Valencia Peak and the Bob Jones / Sycamore route both start off fairly level before climbing steeply, slowing us down. Same hike, different speeds per section.
But after recording a few years’ worth of four- and five-mile hikes, we’re confident that 2mph (3.2km/h) is a good estimate for trails you’re unfamiliar with. Or, you know, you could go with a group.
What’s your challenging pace?
We define “casual pace” as the speed at which you can carry on a conversation while walking uphill. A “challenging pace” is when you can keep walking uphill, but find yourself spending your breath moving, not talking. Easier: You can chat while pumping your legs. Harder: Takes your breath away.
Not sure yet? Learn how elevation gain affects a hike, or read the questions we hear a lot.
