Walking Speed & Hiking Speed

Walking Speed & Hiking Speed Your Walking Speed and General Hiking Speed are very closely related to your Hiking Rhythm and to the Rest Breaks you take. The combination of all these factors will largely determine how far you can go and how tired you are at the end of the day. In this section, we will provide you with some tips on Hiking Speed:

* Fast Hiking is a beginner mistake which often results in a much slower tempo at the end of the day and a general feeling of fatigue. In general, slower Hiking is better Hiking. Faster Hiking with more breaks will probably end up carrying you to the same distance at the same time but feeling much more tired. Furthermore, faster Hiking increases the chance of sprains and other injuries.
* Go for Hiking Endurance and longer duration Hiking instead of faster and shorter Hiking.
* The energy needed for Hiking is not proportional to the speed when you walk. The figures below are for walking on a smooth level surface:

Speed Calories per 100lb/hr Factor
2 mph / 3.2 kph 45 1
3 mph / 4.8 kph 90 2
4 mph / 6.4 kph 160 3.55

As you can see in the table above, the energy needed to go faster roughly doubles with each extra mile per hour. So in going slower, you will be able to cover a further distance with the same energy.

* Your need for Rest Breaks will largely depend on your walking speed. Please visit our Hiking and Resting section for additional information.

Take note of your Hiking Speed. It pays to know the advantages and drawbacks of fast and slow Hiking. As mentioned above, hiking at a generally slow pace is better than fast Hiking.

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