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.