Trail tools

How far out can you go and still beat the dark?

Hours of daylight left and your honest round-trip pace, minus a 90-minute buffer — the distance you can walk out before turning is not optional.

Turnaround snapshot

7.2mi out

Turnaround snapshot: 7.2 mi out. With a 1.5h buffer before dark at ~2.2 mph average.

Set the turnaround before you start walking, then honour it whatever the view is doing.

How to read this

  • The figure is the OUTBOUND leg. The walk back costs the same hours, which is why the daylight is halved rather than spent.
  • Use your round-trip average, not your fresh-legs pace. Breaks, photos, snacks and the last tired mile are all in that number.
  • Decide the turnaround before you start walking. Deciding it at the turnaround, with the summit in sight, is how people get benighted.
  • The maths runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere or stored.

When to turn around on a hike →Browse all guides →