🥾 Hiking Difficulty Estimator

Calculate hiking time (Naismith's Rule), difficulty score, calories burned, and water needed — plus a gear checklist that scales with your hike.

Distance (km)

Elevation Gain (m)

Starting Altitude (m)

Body Weight (kg)

Trail Condition

Your Fitness Level

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Hike Time

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Calories

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Water

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Alt. Effect

Naismith's Rule: Allow 1 hour per 5 km of distance, plus 1 hour per 600 m of elevation gain. Developed by Scottish mountaineer William Naismith in 1892. The tool adjusts for trail conditions and fitness level.

About Difficulty Scoring

The difficulty score combines distance, elevation gain, trail condition, and altitude. Each factor is weighted: elevation gain per km is the most important predictor of difficulty, followed by trail condition. Altitude above 2,500m adds an additional challenge due to reduced oxygen.

Calorie estimates use MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values: hiking on flat terrain is approximately MET 3.5, increasing to MET 6–8 for steep or technical terrain. The formula is: Calories = MET × weight (kg) × hours.

Water needs increase significantly with heat, altitude, and exertion. The 500ml/hour estimate is a minimum — in hot weather or at altitude, plan for 750ml–1L per hour.