How Long Does It Take to Hike 3 Miles (Explained)

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, it’s always important to know how long a hike will take. Depending on the difficulty of the trail and your own hiking abilities, the time it takes to hike 3 miles hike can vary quite a bit – so let’s get right into it.

How Long Does The Average Person Take To Hike 3 Miles

Hiking 3 miles takes the average person about 90 minutes. At this pace, you’ll have plenty of time to take breaks and take in the scenery. Consider the time it takes to chat and take photos when hiking with a group. Obviously, your mileage will vary based on your fitness level, the terrain, and the weather conditions.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Hiking 3 Miles?

Hiking burns calories based on a number of factors, including your weight, the terrain, and the intensity of your workout. However, you should anticipate burning around 300 calories on a 3-mile hike.

How To Hike 3 Miles Faster

You’ll need to pick up the pace if you want to hike 3 miles in the shortest time possible. 60 minutes or less would be a good target time. As intimidating as it may appear, it’s not impossible with some practice. Hiking 3 miles in 60 minutes or less is possible with these tips:

• You should warm up before you go hiking. A brisk walk of 5 to 10 minutes should suffice.
• Begin slowly and gradually increase your speed.
• Keep breaks to a minimum and shorten them whenever possible.
• Focus on your breathing and try to keep your breathing steady.
• Hike on a level, well-marked path.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that won’t slow you down.

How Much Water Should You Bring For A 3-Mile Hike?

Keeping hydrated while hiking is essential, especially in hot weather. However, how much water do you need for a 3-mile hike exactly? An easy-to-follow guideline is one liter of water for every hour of hiking.

So if you plan on hiking 3 miles in 90 minutes, bring 1.50 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 3 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 3 miles, here are some examples based on Naismith’s Rule:

• A 3-mile hike with 0 ft of elevation gain would take you 90 minutes
• A 3-mile hike with 500 ft of elevation gain would take you 105 minutes
• A 3-mile hike with 1000 ft of elevation gain would take you 120 minutes
• A 3-mile hike with 2000 ft of elevation gain would take you 150 minutes

There are several 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.