How Long Is Your Typical Dayhike?

“QUESTION: How long is your typical day hike?

Response Totals Percent
1-2 hours 187 7%
3-4 hours 830 33%
5-6 hours 898 36%
7-8 hours 404 16%
9-10 hours 100 4%
Less than 1 hour 24 1%
More than 10 hours 71 3%
Total Votes: 2514

Your Vote: 5-6 hours


No, I don't all of a sudden have a better liking for the other side. I just thought it was an interesting survey. I picked 5-6 hrs.. but I was surprised to see the 187 people who picked 1-2 hrs.

Bottom line, most dayhikers (on Backpacker) hike about 5 hours on their hikes.”

“When I dayhiker, I usually get in a full days worth. If I'm on decent trails I may push 20 miles. If it's rough terrain, such as the Sipsey area then maybe 10-12. It usually is 10+ hrs.”

“Most of mine are probably 7 to 8, but I did one last weekend that was 17.”

“Oops, I should have said, "When I dayhike, ..."”

“7 days! Three days getting prepared by studying the maps and loading the car, then the hike followed by three days of unloading the car, putting things away and unwinding. Arr, that's for a short dayhike.”

“Bottom line, most dayhikers (on Backpacker) hike about 5 hours on their hikes."
TownDawg
09:53:30 AM
07/07/04


Wrong.


This study shows most hikers hike between 3 and 6 hours.”

“Hey, I'm in the 3rd percentile.”

“hey chili.. thats what I meant.. basically.. I was trying to find the median point.. and happenstance guessed at 5hrs.

but ya.. you are right.”

“I am one of the freaks: over 10 hours. But that is partly due to the fact that I am the World's Slowest Hiker. Plus I just love being in the wilderness. I guess living in God's Country, Washington State, helps, too. lol”

“My dayhikes are generally long. I just have a general idea where I want to go. I hike slow & bushwhack. If something strikes my fancy, I head in any direction. My eyes are much bigger than my feet. I don't mind hiking at night. I generally can get in & out of most area's within a (long)day. The advantage is my pack is lighter & I live where I do most of my hiking. My brother-in-law lives in the Adirondacks where I hike the rest of the time.”

“My dayhikes are generally long too. I have to travel at least 3 hours for a good dayhike, you can bet I'll get at least 7 hours out of it.”

“Hard to say. It varies a lot.

I used to hike longer and faster; that's for sure! <G>”

“I like to hike 5 to 10 in a day hike. Sometimes it really depends on the drive to the hike.”

“I guess it depends on how much time I have. A relaxed day hike will be about 1 mile for every 100 feet of expected gross elevation gain. Stretching either part of the ratio makes the hike moderate and stretching both makes the hike extreme.

All that being said, I try to make my day hikes between 5 and 10 miles so they don't feel too short or too long.”

“I'd say I do mostly 3-4 hours, because I'm doing somewhat steep uphill hikes in WA State. Maybe I can hike longer, but I never tried. If I'm on flatter terrain, then I go for longer.”

“Really depends on the area and the climate. Out west an all day hike is not out of the question but in hot and humid areas I will get a hike done in the morning and sip cool drinks in the p.m.

If I had to average the time I would say 4-6 hours”

“Glad to see you found something positive from Backpacker.com to discuss. I've been seeing other good messages from people here over There. No reason we cant help each other with good info.

Personally, I see the magazine as a whole trying to broaden its appeal. It's had articles on canoeing and hiking to cabins along with day-hiking articles. Is mountain biking next? Maybe the mag is `trying to lure some of Outside mag's subscribers.

Of course, we all enjoy the critiques here when the Monthly Friend arrives. Who here does that? Should really post them over on the other site. The main reason would be to make the mag better, IMO.

BTW, when I do day hikes, they vary in lentgh and time depending on if the kids go, or not. So I basically couldn't answer the question.”