Why Terrain Distance Matters
On flat terrain, map distance equals terrain distance. But on slopes, the actual distance you walk is longer because you're not moving horizontally — you're climbing at an angle. A slope of 15° adds about 3.5% to the horizontal distance. A steep mountain slope of 30° adds 15%. On very steep terrain, this difference is significant.
Quick Reference
- 5° slope: ~0.4% longer than map distance
- 15° slope: ~3.5% longer than map distance
- 30° slope: ~15.5% longer than map distance
- 45° slope: ~41% longer than map distance
💡 Trail DistanceEstablished trails often zigzag up steep terrain, so the actual walking distance on a trail is much longer than the direct horizontal distance. For planning hiking time, use the trail distance shown on maps, not the direct horizontal distance.