Hike 5 miles

This requirement puts your map and compass skills into practice across real backcountry terrain. A 5-mile hike on foot (or a 10-mile bike ride) requires careful advance planning, leader approvals, and active on-trail navigation—not simply following the person ahead of you.

Getting Approvals and Filing a Plan

Before stepping onto the trail:

1. Obtain Adult and Guardian Sign-Off: Review the proposed route, terrain, weather forecast, water sources, and emergency exit points with your Scoutmaster (or designated adult leader) and parent or guardian.
2. Leave a Written Trip Plan: Leave a written plan detailing your trailhead, planned route, expected pace, participants, and anticipated finish time with someone at home.

Estimating Travel Time and Pacing

A standard backcountry hiking rule of thumb is 2 miles per hour on level, moderate terrain, plus 1 additional hour for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain (Naismith’s Rule). For a 5-mile hike with moderate rolling hills, plan for roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours of active trail time, plus planned rest breaks.

• Determine Your Pace Count: One pace equals two steps (count every time your right foot strikes the ground). Measure how many paces it takes you to walk a known 100-foot distance. If you take 20 paces per 100 feet, you take roughly 1,056 paces per mile.
• Terrain Adjustments: Your pace will shorten going uphill or through thick brush, and lengthen slightly on easy downhill sections.

Active Navigation Along the Route

Do not leave your map and compass stashed inside your backpack. Keep them accessible and practice active navigation:

• Orient at Trail Junctions: Every time you reach a fork, crossroads, or landmark, stop, orient your map, and verify your direction of travel before continuing.
• Sighting Intermediate Landmarks: Take a bearing to your next destination, look up, and pick out a distinct tree, boulder, or ridge along that line. Walk to that landmark rather than staring down at your compass while walking (which causes tripping).
• Identify “Catching Features” and “Handrails”: Use prominent linear terrain features—such as following a river bank or ridge line (a “handrail”) or recognizing a cross-trail or dirt road ahead that will “catch” you if you overshoot your target.