Graphic credit: Darekk2
We use certain values to help calculate walking distance using a methodology called Naismith’s rule. Naismith’s rule states that you will take 1 hour to walk every 5 km (3 miles) and you will take one hour to gain every 600 meters (2000 feet). Therefore, it will take 2 hours to walk 5 km and gain 600 meters. We use those default values to estimate your expected walking time.
The default values are general, so you can adjust it if you generally walk faster than that, or you can lower if you like to take your time and smell the wild flowers! You can change those values by simply setting it on the settings page: