Practical tools to help you plan safer, better-informed hikes
Hike planning involves more than choosing a trail. Distance, elevation, terrain, weather and daylight all influence how demanding a walk will be. These free tools support time estimation, hydration planning, track grading, equipment selection and system-based risk assessment — designed to support more informed decisions before you commit to a route.
Plan Your Hike in Six Steps
The tools below help you assess whether a hike is achievable, understand terrain difficulty, estimate walking time, plan hydration, identify key risks, and determine what equipment to carry before heading out.
Hike Feasibility Planner
Assess whether your planned hike is realistically achievable. The Hike Feasibility Planner combines time, water, daylight and terrain into one clear rating.
Walking Track Grade Calculator
Calculate the Australian Walking Track Grade for any walk. Enter distance, gradient, track quality and markings to get an AWTGS-aligned Grade 1 to 5 result.
Hiking Time Calculator
Calculate realistic hiking time based on distance, ascent, terrain and pack weight. Includes optional daylight planning with turnaround time and sunset margin.
Water Requirements Calculator
Calculate how much water to carry hiking in Australia. Estimates based on duration, temperature, terrain and pack weight, with a built-in safety buffer included.
Hiking Risk Profile Calculator
Assess your hiking risk profile across all 8 safety systems. Answer 12 questions about route, conditions and remoteness to identify where planning attention is needed.
Hiking Equipment Planner
Get a personalised hiking equipment list based on your route, conditions and remoteness. Recommendations across all 8 safety systems at three priority levels.
Advanced Planning Tools
Environmental Protection Planner
Get a personalised hiking clothing and layering recommendation for Australian conditions. Based on temperature, weather, exposure, movement pattern and trip type.
Hiking Sleep System Planner
Get a sleeping bag, pad and shelter recommendation for Australian overnight hikes, or a survival contingency plan for day hikes, based on conditions and remoteness.
Hiking Safety System Assessment Tool
Assess where pressure will build on your planned hike. The System Assessment Tool maps strain across all 8 safety systems based on route demands and your readiness.
Important Note
These tools are designed to support trip planning but should not be relied on as the sole basis for decision-making. Factors such as weather, river levels, heat, route finding, remoteness and group ability can significantly affect the difficulty of a hike.
Always plan conservatively, allow extra time, and be prepared to adjust your plans if conditions change.
Future Planning Tools
Additional hiking planning tools will be added over time, including further tools aligned with the Trail Hiking Australia Safety Systems Framework to support safer and more informed trip planning.
Read media release (March 2026) →
Related Planning Guides
For more information about planning safer hikes, see:
