How to Choose the Right Hiking Trail When You Only Have 1-2 Hours

You can choose the right hiking trail if you only have a few hours of hiking to spare through proper planning.

Not every hike needs to be an all-day adventure. You might have a busy schedule with work, school, kids, weather, travel, and other craziness. Choosing the wrong trail means stress, but choosing the right trail means you get to enjoy a short hike.

In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about how to choose the right hiking trail with just a few hours to spare, and if you like it a lot, consider leaving me a small donation for publishing it.

Start With Your Actual Time (Not Wishful Thinking)

Consider the amount of time for driving, parking, and gearing up when you need to choose the right hiking trail on such a short amount of time.

You’ll want to factor in the daylight hours. This will especially be the case for you in winter. Daylight is often shorter during the wintertime.

As a rule of thumb, if you were to start hiking with exactly 2 hours, you’d get about 60 to 90 minutes or 1.5 hours on the trail.

Consider using your phone for a turnaround time alert system. Set your turnaround time using your phone alarm. Then, when it goes off, you’ll know it’s time to turn around so you don’t miss your 2-hour time window.

Know Your Pace (Be Honest with Yourself)

Know your pace and don’t try to be the hiker you’re not when trying to choose the right hiking trail with so little time.

Most beginner hikers are moving at about 1 to 1.5 miles per hour on moderate terrain. Moderately experienced hikers are going 2-4 miles per hour. Beginner trail runners are going 4 to 6 miles per hour.

Make sure you add time for elevation gain as it will slow you down, any bathroom and photo taking stops, and creek crossings where you need to take it easy and be safe about it.

Choose the Right Hiking Trail Based on the Type of Trail

Don’t just choose any trail when you only have a few hours to go hiking.

Out and back trails are going to be your best bet. You can time it based on your average miles per hour and choose the right hiking trail that meets those averages. There are really no surprises when you’re hiking back the same trail you just hiked, too.

Loop trails are fine as long as they match the number of miles you need to be in range to make your few-hour window.

Point-to-point trails are not a good idea. These are often longer, and if you don’t have a ride at the ending point, then you’ll have to hike back. Stick with an out-and-back trail for the best results.

Choose the Right Terrain for Your Energy Level

In order to choose the right hiking trail, you have to choose the right terrain.

Flat trails are probably your best bet. You can predict the timing more easily. They’re less strenuous if you need to hike a bit faster to make your time.

Rolling hill trails might work, or they might not work pending on your level of fitness and energy on the day you hike.

Bluff heavy and rocky technical trails are going to be your worst enemy. They’re too difficult to predict the time with. They’ll tire you down quicker and slow you down in the process.

Be sure to factor in any elevation gain as well, because that alone will slow you down and shave off time.

Use Trail Apps Strategically to Choose the Right Hiking Trail

Use a good offline-accessible app like AllTrails. My link is an affiliate link, and if you use it, I may earn a commission.

Check the distance on the app to see if it aligns with your goals. Check the elevation gain and see if it is going to slow you down at all. Read recent reviews and check for trail conditions so there are no surprises.

Look through the photos on the app to see if there are any muddy spots or icy spots if it’s wintertime.

Don’t pick the hardest trail because it looks cool. Save those trails for when you have all day long to hike them. Knock out all the smaller trails when you’re crunched for time, instead.

Have a “Short Hike Go-To List” Ready

The best thing you can do to choose the right hiking trail is to have a list of trails already made up for this occasion.

Create a list of your favorite 30-minute hiking trails. Create one for 60-minute hikes. Finally, have one for 90-minute hikes if you get the full couple of hours to enjoy the trail.

Your list will make hiking with little time easier without requiring you to stress about it and overthink it.

Plan for a Strong Turnaround Rule

Your turnaround time rule is going to be your biggest asset if you don’t have a lot of time to hike.

Set a turnaround time and stick with it. Hike half your time out and then turn around and hike back. Don’t chase “the one more mile” when you only have a few hours to spare.

A turnaround time will keep your hike stress-free so you can actually enjoy the hike.

Match the Trail to Your Goal

Consider your hiking goal of the day when you are choosing the best trail for a short amount of time.

Do you want to exercise? Do you want peace and quiet? Do you want scenic views?

Maybe you’re just hiking to test out new footwear or gear, and you don’t really need to go that far.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t make these mistakes when trying to choose the right hiking trail when you only have a few hours to do it.

• Ignoring elevation: Elevation will always add more time to your hike and potentially slow you down as you tire out from it.
• Forgetting drive time: Taking note of how far you have to drive is also important, and don’t forget about parking if the trail is popular.
• Starting too late in the winter: In most areas, it gets dark sooner in the winter, and that’s something you want to keep in mind.
• Picking crowded trails during peak hours: If there are a lot of people on the trail, it might slow you down waiting for them to move.

Choose the Right Hiking Trail: Conclusion

You don’t need all day; you just need to choose the right trail. If you set a turnaround time and plan your hike before you go, it’s very possible. You want to be able to enjoy the hike and not be stressed about it.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!