Calories Burned Hiking in Phoenix, AZ
Estimate calories burned doing hiking in Phoenix, Arizona. Uses 6 MET plus a local arid climate planning adjustment (75°F avg).
Hiking Calorie Calculator for Phoenix
Hiking in Phoenix for 30 minutes
218 kcal
MET 6 · 73 kg · 435 kcal/hour
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Phoenix
Moderate temperatures are close to standard exercise-estimate assumptions, so this page uses the base MET calculation.
Phoenix, Arizona has a arid climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F and 8 months suitable for outdoor exercise. For hiking here, Calorique uses the base MET calculation because the local temperature is close to moderate exercise-planning conditions.
Source & Accuracy Notes
This is a planning calculator. It uses the standard MET approach for estimated activity energy cost, then applies a small local climate adjustment for outdoor conditions. Your real calorie burn can differ because of pace, fitness level, terrain, wind, humidity, clothing, equipment, body composition, and tracker accuracy.
Calorie Burn by Duration (Phoenix)
How many calories you burn during hiking at different durations in Phoenix's arid climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Phoenix Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 109 kcal | 109 kcal | 0 |
| 30 minutes | 218 kcal | 218 kcal | 0 |
| 45 minutes | 327 kcal | 327 kcal | 0 |
| 60 minutes | 435 kcal | 435 kcal | 0 |
| 90 minutes | 653 kcal | 653 kcal | 0 |
| 120 minutes | 871 kcal | 871 kcal | 0 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing hiking for 30 minutes per session in Phoenix, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
2,832
calories per month
34,008 cal/year
= ~9.7 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
4,720
calories per month
56,680 cal/year
= ~16.2 lbs of fat
*Based on the widely used estimate that 1 lb of body fat = ~3,500 calories. Actual weight loss depends on diet, metabolism, and other factors. The 0% climate adjustment for Phoenix is a planning estimate, not a guarantee.
Phoenix Fitness Overview
Phoenix, Arizona (pop. 1,624,569): Calorique's modeled city profile estimates a Calorique index of 65/100, about 8.4 gyms per 100K residents, and a walkability estimate of 37. The same model estimates 6,100 average daily steps and about 1,960 calories burned per day, and highlights hiking, swimming, cycling as activities suited to the local climate. These profile figures are planning estimates, not official city statistics or survey results. Measured public-health context from CDC PLACES (2023 data): 32.3% of Phoenix adults have obesity (4.6 pts below the U.S. places median) and 22.9% report no leisure-time physical activity (3.7 pts below the U.S. places median).
Calorique index (estimate)
65/100
Walkability (est.)
37
Adult Obesity (CDC PLACES 2023)
32.3%
Outdoor Months
8
Obesity source: CDC PLACES 2024 release (BRFSS 2022/2023 model-based estimates), crude prevalence among adults; 2023 data year. Full health snapshot on the Phoenix fitness page.
Other Activities in Phoenix, AZ
Walking
MET 3.5 · Low
~127 cal / 30 min
Brisk Walking
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Running
MET 9.8 · High
~356 cal / 30 min
Cycling
MET 8 · Moderate
~290 cal / 30 min
Swimming
MET 7 · Moderate
~254 cal / 30 min
Jump Rope
MET 11 · High
~399 cal / 30 min
Boxing
MET 9.3 · High
~337 cal / 30 min
Wrestling
MET 6 · Very High
~218 cal / 30 min
Hiking in Other Arizona Cities
Tucson, AZ
70°F · Arid
~218 cal / 30 min
Denver, CO
50°F · Continental
~224 cal / 30 min
Seattle, WA
47°F · Temperate
~224 cal / 30 min
Los Angeles, CA
65°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
San Diego, CA
64°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Salt Lake City, UT
50°F · Arid
~224 cal / 30 min
Santa Ana, CA
63°F · Mediterranean
~218 cal / 30 min
Charleston, SC
62°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Hiking in Phoenix
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Phoenix:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 6 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.00
The MET value of 6 for hiking is based on the Compendium of Physical Activities: where the Compendium has a matching row Calorique uses it, and for activities without a dedicated row (for example branded or mixed workouts) the value is Calorique's closest-row planning estimate. The climate factor of 1.00 is Calorique's planning adjustment for Phoenix's average temperature of 75°F. Use it to compare scenarios, then rely on consistent tracking and body-weight trends for personal calibration.
Hiking on moderate terrain combines cardiovascular exercise with the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. Unlike treadmill walking, hiking involves varied terrain, elevation changes, and natural obstacles that engage stabilizer muscles and improve balance. Research shows that hiking in natural settings reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood more effectively than indoor exercise. The uneven terrain also forces your body to work harder, burning more calories than walking on flat ground.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
Calculate calories for any activity or check your total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does hiking burn in Phoenix, AZ?
A 160 lb person burns about 218 calories during 30 minutes of hiking in Phoenix. This is a planning estimate using 6 MET plus Calorique's local climate adjustment for Phoenix's 75°F average temperature.
Does Phoenix's climate affect calories burned during hiking?
It can affect perceived effort, hydration needs, clothing, terrain choices, and thermoregulation. Phoenix has a arid climate averaging 75°F. Calorique applies a 0% planning adjustment, but actual burn varies by pace, fitness, wind, humidity, clothing, and surface.
What is the best time to do hiking in Phoenix?
Phoenix's moderate climate (avg 75°F) with an estimated 8 outdoor-friendly months makes hiking comfortable most of the year. The best time is the one you can repeat consistently; choose cooler hours on warm days and daylight hours when footing or visibility is a concern.
How many calories per month can I burn doing hiking in Phoenix?
At your current weight, doing hiking for 30 minutes in Phoenix: 3 sessions/week estimates ~2,832 cal/month (34,008 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week estimates ~4,720 cal/month (56,680 cal/year). Treat this as planning math, not a precise weight-loss forecast.
Is hiking popular in Phoenix, AZ?
Calorique does not have a local participation survey for Phoenix, but hiking is one of the activities Calorique highlights for the city based on its arid climate and an estimated 8 months of outdoor exercise weather. CDC PLACES (2024 release, 2023 data) estimates 32.3% adult obesity in Phoenix and 22.9% of adults with no leisure-time physical activity (median of U.S. places in CDC PLACES: 36.9% and 26.6%). Calorique's modeled city profile lists a walkability estimate of 37, about 8.4 gyms per 100K residents, and a Calorique index of 65/100; these are planning estimates, not official local statistics.