How Long Does It Take To Hike 12 Miles (Explained)

When most people think about hiking, they imagine spending hours trekking through the woods and scaling steep mountains. And when it comes to hiking 12 miles, you’ll surely be in for a challenge. So how long does it take to hike 12 miles, anyway?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to that question and provide tips on making the most of your 12-mile hike. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, we hope you’ll find our advice useful. So let’s get started!

How Long Does The Average Person Take To Hike 12 Miles

The average person takes about 360 minutes to hike 12 miles. This pace includes stopping for rest and admiring the scenery. If you’re hiking with a group, it’s also important to factor in the time it takes to chat and take photos. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on your fitness level, the terrain, and the weather.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Hiking 12 Miles?

The number of calories burned while hiking is determined by several factors, including your weight, the terrain, and the intensity of your hike. On average, a 12-mile hike will burn approximately 1200 calories.

How To Hike 12 Miles Faster

If you’re looking to hike 12 miles in the shortest amount of time possible, you’ll need to pick up the pace. A good target time would be 240 minutes or less. This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s definitely doable with some practice. Here are a few tips to help you hike 12 miles in 240 minutes or less:

• You should warm up before you go hiking. A brisk walk of 5 to 10 minutes should suffice.
• Start at a moderate pace and increase your speed as you go.
• Take shorter breaks and keep them to a minimum.
• Focus on your breathing and try to keep your breathing steady.
• Pick a flat, well-marked trail to hike on.
• Wear lightweight, non-restrictive clothing and shoes.

How Much Water Should You Bring For A 12-Mile Hike?

Keeping hydrated while hiking is essential, especially in hot weather. However, how much water do you need for a 12-mile hike exactly? An easy-to-follow guideline is one liter of water for every hour of hiking.

So if you plan on hiking 12 miles in 360 minutes, bring 6 liters of water.

If you want to learn more about how much water you should bring on all of your future hikes, check out our comprehensive guide on how much water to bring on a hike.

Naismith’s Rule For A 12-Mile Hike

If you want to get more in-depth with your hiking time, there’s a formula called Naismith’s Rule that can help you estimate how long it will take to hike a given distance.

At its most basic level, Naismith’s Rule states that it takes 30 minutes to hike 1 mile, plus an additional 30 minutes for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

So to hike 12 miles, here are some examples based on Naismith’s Rule:

• A 12-mile hike with 0 ft of elevation gain would take you 360 minutes
• A 12-mile hike with 500 ft of elevation gain would take you 375 minutes
• A 12-mile hike with 1000 ft of elevation gain would take you 390 minutes
• A 12-mile hike with 2000 ft of elevation gain would take you 420 minutes

There are a number of variables that can affect how long it takes to hike, including the terrain, weather, and your fitness level.

But if you’re planning a hike and want to get a general idea of how long it will take, Naismith’s Rule is a good place to start. If you want to learn how to maximize your day hikes, check out our guide on how many miles you can hike in a day.