Calories Burned Hiking in Raleigh, NC
Calculate how many calories you burn doing hiking in Raleigh, North Carolina. Adjusted for Raleigh's subtropical climate (avg 62°F). MET: 6. Climate adjustment: 0%.
Hiking Calorie Calculator for Raleigh
Hiking in Raleigh for 30 minutes
218 kcal
MET 6 · 73 kg · 435 kcal/hour
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Raleigh
Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation.
Raleigh, North Carolina has a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F and 10 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing hiking here, your body burns calories at approximately the standard rate, as the temperature closely matches the conditions used in MET research (68-72°F).
Calorie Burn by Duration (Raleigh)
How many calories you burn during hiking at different durations in Raleigh's subtropical climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Raleigh 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 Raleigh, 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. Climate adjustment of 0% applied for Raleigh.
Hiking Tips for Raleigh's Climate
- With 10 months suitable for outdoor exercise, take advantage of year-round outdoor hiking opportunities.
- Wear trail shoes or hiking boots with ankle support
- Bring more water than you think you need: at least 0.5 liters per hour
Raleigh Fitness Overview
Raleigh, North Carolina (pop. 467,665) has a fitness score of 49/100 with 5.9 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 29. Residents average 5,600 daily steps and burn approximately 1,900 calories per day. Popular activities include running, cycling, hiking.
Fitness Score
49/100
Walk Score
29
Obesity Rate
32.5%
Outdoor Months
10
Other Activities in Raleigh, NC
Indoor Wall Climbing
MET 7.5 · Moderate to High
~272 cal / 30 min
Rope Climbing
MET 8 · Very High
~290 cal / 30 min
Box Jumps
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Painting Walls
MET 3.5 · Low to Moderate
~127 cal / 30 min
Fencing
MET 6 · Moderate to High
~218 cal / 30 min
Bench Press
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Deadlifts
MET 6 · High
~218 cal / 30 min
Spin Class (Indoor Cycling)
MET 8.5 · High
~308 cal / 30 min
Hiking in Other North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
60°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
Greensboro, NC
60°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
Durham, NC
57°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
Winston-Salem, NC
61°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
Fayetteville, NC
58°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
Cary, NC
58°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
Wilmington, NC
59°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
High Point, NC
59°F · Subtropical
~218 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Hiking in Raleigh
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Raleigh:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 6 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.00
The MET value of 6 for hiking is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.00 accounts for Raleigh's average temperature of 62°F. Research shows that exercising in non-neutral temperatures increases energy expenditure as the body works to maintain its core temperature.
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 Raleigh, NC?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 218 calories during 30 minutes of hiking in Raleigh. This accounts for Raleigh's subtropical climate with an average temperature of 62°F, which adjusts calorie burn by 0% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for hiking is 6.
Does Raleigh's climate affect calories burned during hiking?
Yes. Raleigh has a subtropical climate averaging 62°F. Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation. This means hiking in Raleigh burns approximately 0% calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do hiking in Raleigh?
Raleigh's moderate climate (avg 62°F) with 10 outdoor-friendly months makes hiking comfortable most of the year. Morning exercise may boost metabolism for the rest of the day, while evening sessions can help with stress relief and sleep quality.
How many calories per month can I burn doing hiking in Raleigh?
At your current weight, doing hiking for 30 minutes in Raleigh: 3 sessions/week burns ~2,832 cal/month (34,008 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~4,720 cal/month (56,680 cal/year). These estimates include the 0% climate adjustment for Raleigh's 62°F average temperature.
Is hiking popular in Raleigh, NC?
Yes, hiking is among the most popular fitness activities in Raleigh. The city's subtropical climate with 10 months of outdoor exercise weather and a walk score of 29 make it well-suited for this activity. Raleigh has 5.9 gyms per 100K residents and a fitness score of 49/100.