Is walking 8 miles without stopping realistic expectation?

[MorganSeventh]

Meeting friends for a walk tomorrow morning, finishing with a pub lunch. All good. However friend who is organising it, who is a keen walker, has suggested we set off at ten and has booked lunch for 12:45.

She's sent through a map of the route, and while it's flat and on a good track, it's just over 8 miles (13k). I queried whether 2hrs 45 would be long enough to cover it, and her view was yes, as we'd walk at a steady 20 minutes a mile. Which is fine as far as pace goes, but doesn't allow any time for breaks.

Is that a reasonable expectation? We're 4 fairly fit women in our 40s and in itself 8 miles isn't a super-long walk, but 2hrs40 continuous seems quite a long time to go without stopping, for what was meant to be a relaxed amble with friends...

I think that sounds fairly reasonable given it's a flat route, but I'd be a bit worried about the weather tomorrow given how hot most of the UK will be which may slow you down.

I'd personally rather set off earlier be there half an hour early than feel rushed!

That seems a bit much to me!

I think a constant 20 mins a mile is optimistic, not because it’s a long way but because you’ll want to stop and take pictures and admire the view. If I had a meal booked I would allow another half hour atleast.

I couldn’t manage an 8 mile walk!!! I’m 33, over weight with fallen arches.

Sounds hell to me

It’s fine if it’s fairly flat. You won’t be going at marching pace, just a nice walk.

Average walking speed is 4 miles an hour so it's doable - but hiking over hill and dale in that time will mean a brisk walk rather than a relaxed amble.

I do quite long walks and I think 8 miles is more of a day walk, seems quite a lot to squeeze in before lunch.

I think it really depends on people turning up in time and walking a consistently brisk pace, which may not be possible for everyone.

I'm pretty fit and I would love this but it might be too much for others without a break

If you’re reasonably fit and there’s little elevation then it shouldn’t be a problem - 3 miles an hour is a comfortable pace and will allow for occasional stops.

Would definitely be more relaxed if you set off earlier & allowed time to slow down/rest, rushing around could ruin the day

Are you walking 8 miles back again ?

Christ no.
Even if it is doable, its not going to be fun.

I'd expect that timing to work fine if I was on my own. Including stops.
But IME we walk considerably slower when in a sociable chatty group.

It’s not going to be a relaxed amble, that’s for sure. Not my idea of fun in under 3 hours on a hot day.

My average walking pace is definitely not 4 miles an hour.

I'm 5'4" and reasonably fit but have short legs and 4 miles an hour is definitely fast enough that I'm having to really pace along - I would class that as a very brisk walk.

If I could I'd rather do 1/2-3/4 of it before lunch and 1/2-1/4 after lunch! I don't mind walking 8 miles in a day, but I wouldn't want to be on a schedule.

I organise walks with friends (I'm a keen hiker, some friends are not, or have physical issues that mean they can't walk fast) and I think 5k an hour is more of a walk than an amble if I am honest. Tomorrow is going to be hot, I think I would suggest leaving at 9 - you can walk slower, take breaks if you need to and have time to sit down and have a cold drink before lunch.

I wouldn't want to stop for a rest, but what your friend is planning is how fast I walk when I'm on my own and have to get somewhere. If I'm walking with friends and we're chatting we'll walk quite a bit slower.

It will seem like quite a brisk march to the pub. Good luck!

Agree with others, what I'd expect on my own, not if I was chatting.

2hrs 45 continuous walking is a lot. I'd echo everyone else's comments. Set off at 9.30 and move lunch back. Stop for a break midway. Or, better option, take a picnic lunch and have a drink at the pub afterwards. Takes the pressure off time-wise.

20 mins per mile is quite a gentle speed. If you’re fit, there’s no reason you couldn’t manage 8 miles. The return trip might be a bit much, though, if you’re not a hardened walker.

Sounds ambitious to me. I measure distances and travelling speeds all the time and I’d assume about 4 kph if you are off paved routes, so a bit over 3 hours at least. Walking always takes longer if you are in a group too.

Sounds fine to me, but I walk quite quickly.

It can easily be done. I can do it in 2hrs 40mins over two steep hills. However, I agree it won't be particularly relaxing if what you were looking forward to is a stroll and a chat. On the upside, you will be looking forward to that beer/wine when you get to the pub.

Sounds entirely possible, but not much opportunity for enjoying the view. You could do it in two hours, at a pace; 2 3/4 hours would be quite a relaxed speed bit no stopping.

It’s a bit of a concern if relatively young adults, without major disabilities, can’t walk eight miles. It’s not exactly a marathon. Most of our eighty year olds round here do it quite regularly for pleasure.

I could do it but I feel it would defeat the point.