Members need to pay close attention to the hiking pace indicated in the activity descriptions to ensure a positive experience for everyone. Slower hikers who sign up for a moderate or brisk paced hike are likely to overexert themselves in order to keep up, which can lead to accidents and medical emergencies. Likewise, faster paced hikers who sign up for a leisurely or moderate hike may find their patience tested at trail junctions, especially in adverse weather conditions. With that in mind, here’s a handy dandy guide to CVT hike paces.
Leisurely – Open to anyone. Great for beginners, photographers, or those getting back into hiking after a long break. Typical pace is around 2 miles per hour with frequent breaks. If you are new to hiking or have any physical limitations, it is strongly recommended that you start with a leisurely or moderate hike.
Moderate – Open to members in good health and physical condition who are looking to strike a balance between getting a workout and enjoying the scenery. Hikers should be experienced and properly outfitted for the expected trail conditions. Typical pace is around 1.5 to 2 miles per hour over rough terrain.
Brisk – Open to members in very good health and physical condition who can hike a 30-minute mile over rough terrain. Hikers should be experienced and properly outfitted for the expected trail conditions. Definitely not for beginners, those recovering from an injury or illness, or anyone wishing to stop and smell the roses.
