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How long does it take to walk a kilometer?

Short answer? It takes most people 9-12 minutes to walk a kilometer on flat ground at a moderate pace.

However, depending on how fast you walk, what kind of terrain you're covering, and whether or not you're in a rush, it might take anywhere from 12 minutes to upwards of 25.

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Walking Time Calculator

Discover how long it takes to walk a certain distance based on your fitness level and terrain

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What factors affect walking speed?

Understanding what affects walking speed can help you better estimate your time, whether you're out for a casual walk, training for a hike, or tracking your fitness goals.

Walking time isn't one-size-fits-all. Things like age, fitness level, and even your walking experience can influence how fast you move. On top of that, the environment plays a big role—steep hills, muddy trails, or high altitudes can all slow you down.

Personal Factors

  • Fitness level: Athletic individuals can maintain 6+ km/h in ideal conditions
  • Age: Walking speed typically decreases with age
  • Weight: Heavier loads slow average walking speed
  • Experience: Experienced hikers can usually maintain better pace

Environmental Factors

  • Terrain: Hills and rough trails can typically add between 1-6 minutes per kilometre
  • Weather: Heat, cold, and wind affect pace
  • Altitude: Higher elevation reduces walking speed
  • Trail conditions: Mud, snow, and obstacles slow progress

Track your real walking pace with Relive

Want to see exactly how your walking pace compares to these estimates? Relive turns your GPS data into stunning 3D videos that show your actual speed, elevation, and route.

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Real Pace Tracking

See your actual walking speed throughout your hike, and learn how the terrain affected your pace.

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3D Video Stories

Transform your walking data into cinematic 3D flyover videos you can share with friends.

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Progress Tracking

Monitor how your walking speed improves over time with detailed activity analytics.

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How does activity type affect average walking speed?

Understanding average walking speed helps you plan your outdoor adventures more accurately. Different activities and terrains can significantly impact your pace:

Activity TypeAverage Speed (km/h)Time per kmBest Use Case
Leisurely walking3.0-4.0 km/h15-20 minutesSightseeing, casual strolls
Average hiking4.0-5.0 km/h12-15 minutesDay hikes, moderate trails
Brisk hiking5.5-6.0 km/h9-10 minutesFitness hiking, easy terrain
Power walking6.5-7.0 km/h8-10 minutesUrban walking, flat paths
Backpacking2.0-4.0 km/h15-25 minutesMulti-day hikes with gear

Frequently
asked questions

The 5 km/h average is accurate for healthy adults on flat, paved surfaces. However, hiking on trails typically reduces this to 3.2–4 km/h due to rougher terrain, obstacles, and the need for careful footing.

Several factors can slow your pace: carrying a heavy backpack, frequent photo stops, challenging terrain, weather conditions, or simply preferring a leisurely pace to enjoy nature. These calculators provide estimates, not rigid targets.

Elevation gain significantly slows hiking pace. A common guideline is to add 30 minutes for every 300 meters of elevation gain. Steep climbs can reduce your speed to 2–3 km/h, while gentle inclines might only slow you by 10–20%.

No, hiking isn't a race. Maintain a comfortable pace that allows you to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and arrive safely. A sustainable pace prevents fatigue and reduces injury risk, especially on longer hikes.

Walking speed typically refers to movement on flat, paved surfaces (5–6 km/h average), while hiking pace accounts for terrain, elevation, obstacles, and rest stops — resulting in slower overall speeds (2–5 km/h).

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Explore and get inspiration from some of the best hiking trails in the United States

What other hikers are saying

19,000+ reviews

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    Great for tracking walks

    “Amazing app to record my walks, add pics and then see my full performance results. I love the videos you can create with it! 🌞”

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    Smooth and enjoyable

    “Excellent and very good. It can be used while running, walking, or whatever you drive and it is very enjoyable and smooth. Many thanks to the team who created it 💞🥰”

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    Great Ride & Hike App

    “Super easy to use, captures the important details like elevation gain, miles , average speed and adds videos and photos quickly, including uploading to other social media apps”

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Star ratingStar ratingStar ratingStar ratingStar rating

Great for tracking walks

“Amazing app to record my walks, add pics and then see my full performance results. I love the videos you can create with it! 🌞”

Star ratingStar ratingStar ratingStar ratingStar rating

Smooth and enjoyable

“Excellent and very good. It can be used while running, walking, or whatever you drive and it is very enjoyable and smooth. Many thanks to the team who created it 💞🥰”

Star ratingStar ratingStar ratingStar ratingStar rating

Great Ride & Hike App

“Super easy to use, captures the important details like elevation gain, miles , average speed and adds videos and photos quickly, including uploading to other social media apps”

Try Relive for free

Create unique 3D videos of your hike with photos, notes, music and more!

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