I am often asked, “how hard is that hike?” The difficulty of a hike depends upon weather, time of day, hiker health and experience level. Those elements make is rather challenging to stick a hike into one category. With that being said, I have developed a rating system based entirely upon the following criteria:
- Access to the trailhead (parking area)
- Trail surface (paved, stone, dirt, rocks)
- Trail markings (blazes or signage)
- Elevation
- Potential threats (loose rocks, high water, risk of weather events)
My hiking blog posts reference this rating system with the intention to help you better plan for your next excursion!
Extremely Easy Hike
- Trailhead easily accessed from parking lot or transit route.
- Paved or crushed stone pathway.
- Well marked with signage and trail blazes.
- Relatively flat with elevation gain less than 300′.
Easy Hike
- Trailhead easily accessed from parking area or transit route.
- Crushed stone or dirt pathways, relatively free of obstacles such as rocks, branches and tree roots.
- Elevation changes have staircases or gentle switchbacks.
- Well marked with signage and trail blazes.
- Minor elevation gains, less than 500′.
Moderate Hike
- Trailhead accessed from a parking area, or more remote location such as the side of a road, the edge of a field, a side trail or campsite.
- Path may be narrow and includes rocks, tree branches, streams, low tree branches and other obstacles.
- Marked route with signage or trail blazes; sections may be unmarked.
- Elevation gains between 500 and 1,500’.
Strenuous Hike
- Trailhead accessed from a parking area, or more remote location such as the side of a road, the edge of a field, a side trail or campsite.
- Path may be steep or narrow and includes rocks, downed trees, streams, low hanging tree branches, large rocks/boulders and other obstacles.
- The Trail may be slippery due to dry, dusty, dirt, mossy rocks, loose gravel and stones or excessive wet conditions.
- Marked route with signage or trail blazes; sections may be unmarked and may require orienteering with compass.
- Potential exposure to unexpected and possibly dangerous weather changes.
- Many, but not all of these hikes, are in Wilderness regions, with limited access to side roads or fast emergency help.
- Elevation gains over 1,500’.
Extremely Strenuous Hike
- Trailhead accessed from a parking area, or more remote location such as the side of a road, the edge of a field, a side trail or campsite.
- Path may be steep or narrow and includes rocks, downed trees, streams, low hanging tree branches, large rocks/boulders and other obstacles.
- The Trail may be slippery due to dry, dusty, dirt, mossy rocks, loose gravel and stones or excessive wet conditions.
- Completing this trail requires the skills and fitness level to scramble over large boulders, ascend and descend steep pathways, cross or walk through streams, creeks, rivers and ability to traverse steep, narrow and exposed ridgelines.
- Marked route with signage or trail blazes; sections may be unmarked and may require orienteering with compass.
- Potential exposure to unexpected and possibly dangerous weather changes.
- Most, but not all of these hikes, are in Wilderness regions, with limited access to side roads or fast emergency help.
- Elevation gains over 1,500’.
