Walking the last hour by headlamp because the hike ran two hours long: that mistake nearly always starts with a hiking time worked out from kilometers instead of elevation. MapPlanner estimates how long your route will take from its real terrain and your own pace, so you set off at the right time and finish in daylight.
Why distance alone gets it wrong
Ten kilometers along a canal towpath and ten kilometers with 800 m of climbing are two very different outings. MapPlanner starts from a base speed for each activity, then adds the effect of the terrain read from the elevation profile:
- hiking: the route is split by the gradient of each section. Steep climbs slow you down sharply, gentle descents speed you up and very steep descents slow you down again. On the flat, the base is around 5 km/h;
- walking: every meter of ascent adds time following Naismith's classic rule, roughly one hour per 600 m of climbing;
- cycling: climbing counts too, with a lighter penalty than on foot;
- running: the estimate is based on distance and your speed.
The time appears as soon as you place a second point on the map and updates every time you change the route.
Plan your own route
MapPlanner helps you calculate distances, elevation, duration and plan your hikes, runs and bike rides on an interactive map.
- Automatic distance & elevation calculation
- Topographic, satellite maps
- GPX/KML export for your GPS
- Real-time GPS tracking
Match the estimate to your pace
Not everyone walks at the same speed. Click the time shown to open a menu where you can switch activity and pick one of three paces: Leisurely for a relaxed or group outing, Standard for your usual rhythm, Sporty if you move fast. When you are signed in, MapPlanner remembers your choice for the next routes you draw.
Already know your speed? In the route details under the map, type in a time or a speed directly (or a pace per kilometer for running and walking) and everything else recalculates.
An estimate that learns from your outings
With an account, the estimate becomes personal. For each activity, MapPlanner works out your speed from your recent completed outings, taking the terrain of each one into account. A hiker who climbs fast and a more relaxed cyclist both get times that fit them. Routes that were only planned and routes shared by other people are left out: they say nothing about how fast you really go.
Breaks, stops and long days
A day out is not all walking. Add stops along the route with a break time for lunch, a hut or a swim: it is added to the total duration and the route page shows an estimated time at each stop, breaks included. For a longer trip, splitting the route into days spreads the effort day by day.
Without a subscription, the duration of a planned route is capped, breaks included. The Explorer plan lifts that cap for very long days and extended trips.
Tips to make it back before dark
- Check the time against the daylight. The sunlight information for the route gives the sunset time at the start: add the estimated duration to your start time and keep some slack.
- Add a margin in the mountains. The estimate assumes a walkable path and reasonable weather: allow more for rain, slippery ground or snow.
- Plan for the slowest walker. In a group or with children, the leisurely pace gives a more realistic figure.
- Include your breaks from the start: a forgotten hour for lunch is enough to push the whole return back.
- Save your real outings: the more you log, the closer the estimate gets to your actual pace.
Will your next outing fit in the day? Draw it in the hiking planner and the duration shows up from the second point.
Hiking time: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how long a hike will take?
Draw the route in the MapPlanner planner with hiking selected: the duration combines the distance with the gradient of each section; you can adjust it with the leisurely, standard or sporty pace.
Is the duration estimate free?
Yes, for every activity and without an account. A free account also gives you an estimate based on your own outings.
How reliable is the estimated duration?
It is based on the real terrain and your activity. It gets more accurate as you log completed outings. Trail conditions and weather can make it longer, so always keep a margin.
Can I enter my own time or speed?
Yes. The route details under the map accept a time, a speed or, for running and walking, a pace.
