HIKING DIFFICULTY GRADES
It is often hard to define how difficult an itinerary may be, considering that we should assess individual skills and conditions. Think of a child who may not have much strength, but has great balance and no fear of heights. That child would find a path easier than a considerably stronger person who, contrarily, finds it difficult to balance on unstable rocks and fears passing on exposed passages.
The Difficulty Scale below is a “Sardinian readaptation” of the one developed by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC). We removed any refence to snow and ice, keeping what is fundamental to understand the difficulty of our terrain.
T1 – HIKING
PATH
Well developed, signposted and marked. Somewhat exposed places are very well secured.
TERRAIN
Flat or slightly inclined. No danger of falling with appropriate behaviour.
REQUIREMENTS
No steady footing is necessary. Can be walked in trainers. Navigation without a map is possible.
T2 – MOUNTAIN HIKING
PATH
Continuous route and passage marking.
TERRAIN
Steep in parts. The danger of falling is not excluded.
REQUIREMENTS
Some steady footing Trekking shoes are recommended. Basic navigation skills
T3 – CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN HIKING
PATH
A footpath is usually available. Exposed places are mostly secured with ropes or chains.
TERRAIN
Partially exposed areas with danger of falling, gravel plains, pathless steep terrain.
REQUIREMENTS
Good steady footing. Good trekking shoes are necessary, together with average navigation skills. Basic Alpine experience.
T4 – ALPINE WALKING
PATH
Path not necessarily available. Sometimes need to use hands to keep going.
TERRAIN
Mostly exposed. Tricky scree, rocky slopes, simple foliage-covered climbs.
REQUIREMENTS
Familiarity with exposed terrain. Stable trekking shoes. Terrain assessment and good navigation skills. Alpine experience.
T5 – CHALLENGING ALPINE WALKING
PATH
Often without a path. Individual, simple climbing sections.
TERRAIN
Exposed. Challenging terrain, steep rocky slopes. Dense vegetation hides the path. Loose rocks, foliage and dirt make it difficult to walk. Danger of slipping.
REQUIREMENTS
Solid mountain boots or approach shoes are necessary. Secure terrain assessment and very good navigation skills. Good Alpine experience also in high Alpine terrain. Elementary knowledge in abseiling from improvised lower-offs.
T6 – DIFFICULT ALPINE WALKING
PATH
Mostly without a path and unmarked. Climbing sections up to II.
TERRAIN
Often very exposed. Tricky and steep rocky slopes. Unstable scree with an increased danger of slipping.
REQUIREMENTS
Excellent navigation skills. Proven alpine experience and good familiarity with climbing and abseiling equipment.