How Long Does it Take to Hike 5 Miles?

If you’re setting out on a 5-mile hike for the first time, it’s important to know how long to expect to be out on the trail.

Knowing how long it takes to hike 5 miles will enable you to hit the trail early enough to return to the trailhead before dusk. Additionally, you can figure out how long you’ll be exposed to the elements, allowing you to better judge how much food, water, and sun protection you’ll need.

So, how long does a 5-mile hike take to complete?

The short answer is: it depends.

Let’s look at all the factors that affect how long it takes to hike 5 miles.

Naismith’s Rule

A good starting point in estimating how long it takes to hike 5 miles is Naismith’s Rule.

Naismith’s Rule was developed by William Naismith in 1892. It’s an estimate of how long it takes to walk 3 miles.

Naismith’s Rule is: A fit individual can walk roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) in an hour, with an additional hour for every 2,000 feet (610 m) of altitude gained.

I often go on walks around my neighborhood and I can attest that 3 miles per hour is my typical walking pace on flat ground.

However, hiking is a bit different than walking around a city on the sidewalk. There are several variables that will affect how much your hiking time varies from Naismith’s Rule and from person to person.

Let’s take a look at all of the considerations that will determine how long it takes to hike 5 miles.

Factors Affecting How Long It Takes to Hike 5 Miles

Rest Stops

On a 5-mile hike, you’re not going to be walking the whole time. You’ll want to factor in plenty of time for breaks along the trail.

Throughout the hike you will need to stop to drink some water and eat some snacks to keep your body properly fueled. You’ll probably also want to just stop and catch your breath on occasion.

You may also pause your hike to admire plants and animals or to take pictures along the trail.

Factor in even longer breaks to enjoy the view or eat some lunch once you’ve reached your destination. I often spend 30 minutes to an hour enjoying my destination before returning to the trailhead.

All of these breaks will add to the amount of time it takes to hike 5 miles.

Elevation Gain

As noted in Naismith’s Rule, walking on a path with significant change in altitude will take longer than walking on flat ground.

The impact of elevation gain on your time to hike depends on how long the trail is. For example, a 3-mile trail with 2,000 feet of elevation gain will have a steeper slope than a trail with that same 2,000 feet of elevation gain spread out over 5 miles.

A 5-mile hike with 500 feet of elevation gain will have a much more gradual incline than a 5-mile hike with 2,500 feet of elevation gain. The steeper trail will be more difficult to climb and take more time to hike.

When you’re keeping track of your time on the trail, keep in mind that it may not take the same amount of time to hike up the trail as it takes to return in the downhill direction. It typically takes me longer to hike up a trail than back down it, but the time can vary if there are lots of steep or slipper sections.

Terrain

Another factor that will determine the time it takes to hike 5 miles is the surface that you’re hiking on.

Hiking on a flat surface will be faster than hiking on a path that requires navigating rocky ground, roots, and slippery surfaces. You’ll want to move more slowly when encountering these obstacles on uneven terrain to watch your footing and keep your balance.

You may not know ahead of time if your desired trail has flat terrain or rough terrain (or a combination). Allow yourself ample time for the unknown when you’re deciding when to begin your hike.

Pack Weight

Your pace will be impacted by how much stuff you’re carrying with you.

It makes a big difference if you’re carrying all of kinds of gear for an overnight backpacking trip as opposed to carrying a small backpack for a day hike. You’ll move at a slower pace when you’re carrying a heavy pack compared to your pace when you pack light.

But don’t skimp too much on bringing things just for the sake of hiking faster.

Make sure to take anything you need for a safe and enjoyable hike. For a 5-mile hike, you’ll definitely want to bring plenty of water and food.

Not sure how much stuff to pack? Click here for a list of everything I bring on a day hike.

Fitness Level

Your level of fitness will influence how long it takes you to hike five miles.

If you’ve built up your endurance and the muscles used for hiking, you can move along the trail more quickly.

Even an experienced hiker may notice it takes them more time to finish a hike at the beginning of the hiking season if they’ve lost some of their fitness over the off season.

Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily move at a slower pace than an average hiker just because you’re a beginner hiker or don’t consider yourself an athlete. Just note that you may want to allow yourself extra time if it’s your first time hiking 5 miles.

Weather

The last factor that will influence how long it takes to hike 5 miles is the weather conditions during your hike.

Whether it’s cool outside or a hot day will impact your pace. Your body will move more slowly when it’s struggling under the blazing sun.

Precipitation can also slow you down when the rain creates a muddy or slippery trail.

I recommend avoiding hiking in extreme temperatures. But if it can’t be avoided, account for any extra time it may take to complete your 5-mile hike under poor weather conditions.

Conclusion: How long does it take to hike 5 miles?

Considering all of the variables above, most hikers will move more slowly than Naismith’s rule of 3 miles per hour.

As a rough estimate, an average hiker can cover 2 miles per hour.

So how long does it take to hike 5 miles?

Again, the time needed to hike any given 5-mile hike will vary. But for a typical person moving at a comfortable pace, a 5-mile trail will take 2.5 hours to complete.

You can use this pace of 2 miles per hour as a good rule of thumb to estimate the amount of time that longer hikes will take as well. Just divide the number of miles you want to hike by 2. For instance, a 6-mile hike will take about 3 hours to complete and a 10-mile hike will take about 5 hours.

If you move at a faster or slower pace than 2 miles per hour, divide the length of the hike by your average hiking speed to determine how long it will take you to hike that distance.

If you found this article helpful, check out even more hiking & camping tips here!

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.