# Calories Burned Hiking Calculator

> Calculate calories burned while hiking based on weight, terrain difficulty, backpack weight, and duration

**Category:** Health
**URL:** https://complete.tools/calories-burned-hiking

## How it calculates

The formula used to calculate calories burned while hiking is: C = (MET × weight in kg × duration in hours). In this formula, C represents the total calories burned, MET is the Metabolic Equivalent of Task specific to the terrain difficulty, weight in kg is the hiker's weight converted from pounds (1 lb = 0.453592 kg), and duration in hours is the total time spent hiking. The MET value varies based on terrain; for example, flat terrain may have a MET of around 6, while steep or rugged terrain may have a MET of approximately 8. This relationship indicates that as the MET value or hiker's weight increases, the total calories burned also increases proportionally. The inclusion of backpack weight can be factored into the weight to provide a more accurate estimate of energy expenditure.

## Who should use this

1. Fitness trainers creating personalized workout plans for clients engaging in hiking. 2. Outdoor educators designing curriculum that includes physical activity metrics for students. 3. Nutritionists advising clients on caloric needs based on hiking activities. 4. Search and rescue teams calculating energy expenditure for team members during extended operations in the field.

## Worked examples

Example 1: A 70 kg hiker with a 10 kg backpack hikes for 2 hours on a moderately difficult trail (MET = 7). The total weight is 70 kg + 10 kg = 80 kg. The calculation is: C = (7 × 80 kg × 2 hours) = 1120 calories burned. Example 2: A 90 kg hiker carries a 5 kg backpack and hikes for 1.5 hours on a steep trail (MET = 9). The total weight is 90 kg + 5 kg = 95 kg. The calculation is: C = (9 × 95 kg × 1.5 hours) = 1275 calories burned. These examples illustrate how variations in weight, terrain difficulty, and duration affect the total caloric expenditure during hiking activities.

## Limitations

The Calories Burned Hiking Calculator has several limitations. First, the accuracy of the MET values relies on subjective assessments of terrain difficulty, which may not always reflect actual conditions. Second, the tool assumes a linear relationship between weight and caloric burn, which may not account for individual metabolic differences. Third, it does not consider environmental factors such as temperature and altitude, which can significantly affect energy expenditure. Lastly, the tool does not factor in variations in hiking speed, which can lead to discrepancies in caloric burn estimates.

## FAQs

**Q:** How does terrain difficulty influence the MET value used in the calculation?


**A:** Terrain difficulty is categorized into several levels, each assigned a specific MET value based on the energy required to hike under those conditions. Steeper or more rugged terrains have higher MET values, indicating greater caloric expenditure.


**Q:** Can this calculator be used for activities other than hiking?


**A:** While primarily designed for hiking, the calculator can provide estimates for similar activities with adjustment to the MET values. It may not be as accurate for activities like running or cycling due to different energy expenditure dynamics.


**Q:** What happens if I input my weight in pounds instead of kilograms?


**A:** The calculator requires weight in kilograms for accurate calculations. If pounds are inputted, the tool will convert it automatically, but accuracy may be affected if the conversion is not clearly understood by the user.


**Q:** Are there any specific conditions under which the calculator may provide inaccurate results?


**A:** Yes, the calculator may produce inaccurate results if used without considering individual factors such as fitness level, hiking speed, or environmental conditions, all of which can influence actual caloric expenditure.

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