Grading System -how I rate the difficulty of my trips

The grading system is designed to help you in making your right decision, before booking your trip. Please read carefully the description of the tour, its rating and what is that means and be sure that you won’t overestimate your abilities.

Table of Contents

The difficulty of a hiking route as per the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) rating scale:

T1: Easy hiking path – wide, continuously visible path. There is no danger of falling assuming normal behavior.

Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Well-constructed footpath. Any exposed areas are made secure with fixed cables, railings, etc. The risk of falling can largely be ruled out with normal behavior.

Requirements: No specific requirements. Easy orientation, usually possible without a map.

T2: Hiking trail – sometimes steep or narrow. Danger of falling cannot be ruled out. Basic surefootedness and orientation skills are an advantage.

Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Continuous footpath. Terrain partly steep. Danger of falling not entirely ruled out.

Requirements: Elementary surefootedness. Basic orientation skills.

T3: Mountain hiking trail – may contain chain-secured and exposed sections. The path is not always visible. Sometimes you need your hands for balance. Sure-footedness and average orientation skills are required.

Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Path not always visible. Steep terrain. The more exposed sections may be secured with chains or fixed ropes. Sections with scree or tallus or over rock. You may need your hands for balance. Some exposed areas, where there is a risk of falling.

Requirements: Surefootedness. Average orientation skills. Basic alpine experience.

T4: Alpine hiking trail in harsh, steep terrain – there may be easy climbing sections (I UIAA), steep grassy slopes, scree, easy snowfields and glacier passages. Often pathless terrain with exposed sections and the risk of falling.

Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Traces of the path visible, often pathless. Harsh, steep terrain. Occasional easy climbing sections (I UIAA). Boulder fields. Steep grassy slopes and scree/tallus. Easy snow fields. Glacier passages, mostly marked. Exposed sections with danger of falling.

Requirements: Experience in exposed terrain. Good surefootedness. Good orientation skills. Alpine experience, elementary terrain assessment. Basic knowledge of how to use alpine equipment (rope, crampons, ice axe, …). Retreat can be difficult in the event of bad weather.

T5: Harsh, steep terrain – there may be easy climbing passages (I – II UIAA), very steep grassy slopes, sometimes with rocky outcroppings, steep snowfields and glacier passages. Usually pathless, exposed terrain, with the risk of falling over extended stretches.

Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Traces of the path visible, often pathless. Harsh, steep terrain. Easy climbing sections (I – II UIAA). Challenging boulder fields. Very steep grassy slopes and scree/tallus. Steep snow fields. Glacier crossings, sometimes marked. Exposed terrain, risk of falling over extended stretches.

Requirements: Experience in exposed terrain. Very good surefootedness. Very good route finding skills and sense of orientation. In-depth alpine experience, confident terrain assessment. Good knowledge of how to use alpine equipment (rope, crampons, ice axe, …). Retreat can be very difficult in the event of bad weather.

T6: Extremely steep terrain – this may include long climbing sections (II – III UIAA), extremely steep grassy slopes, steep snowfields and glacier passages. Usually pathless, very exposed terrain, with an increased risk of falling over extended stretches.

Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Usually pathless. Extremely steep terrain. Longer climbing sections (II – III UIAA). Difficult boulder fields. Extremely steep grassy slopes and scree/tallus. Dangerous snowfields. Glacier crossings. Very exposed terrain, increased risk of falling over longer sections.

Requirements: Experience with very exposed terrain. Excellent surefootedness. Very good route finding skills and sense of orientation. Extensive alpine experience, very confident terrain assessment. Experienced use of alpine equipment (rope, crampons, ice axe, …). Retreat can be very difficult in the event of bad weather.

Grading System for Via Ferrata routes (in accordance with UIAA, the Italian scale has been adopted as international standard)

F	Equipped path, with low exposure and long walking tracts. Good fixed protections, consisting mainly in metalic ropes (or chains) used only to increase safety.
PD	Short Via Ferrata with low exposure. The itinerary usually presents couloirs, chimneys, short vertical tracts where chains. ropes, pegs and stairs help the progression.
D	Via Ferrata with a medium-long length, requiring a good physical condition and technical competency. Often, the itinerary is vertical and overhangs may be present. Equipped with metallic ropes, chains, pegs and stairs.
TD	The itinerary presents exposed and technical sequences; a very good physical condition and technical competence required. The itinerary is vertical, and overhangs are climbed with few artificial aids. Equipment consists of metallic ropes, with pegs and stairs.
ED	The itinerary presents several exposed and technical sequences, possibly created on purpose; in order to increase the engagement, only few artificial pegs/ stairs are in place. Therefore, a very good physical condition and some climbing technical competences are required.

F = facile (easy)
PD = peu difficile (not very difficult)
D = difficile (difficult)
TD = très difficile (very difficult)
ED = extrêmement difficile (extremely difficult)

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS & GRADES

TECHNICAL ENGAGEMENT	1. Null or low technical difficulty, very good equipment.
	2. Equipped with pegs, stairs, bridges: sometimes it is required to climb using natural holds.
	3. Many vertical or overhanging segments; it is necessary to climb using natural holds; advisable a minimum knowledge of rope techniques.
PHYSICAL ENGAGEMENT	1. It requires a physical effort equivalent to a moderate walking excursion.
	2. It requires a good physical condition (force and resistance).
	3. It requires a very good physical condition (force and resistance).
EXPOSURE	1. Low Exposure
	2. Moderate Exposure, some aerial steps
	3. Very exposed with many aerial sequencese
ENVIRONMENT	1. Low altitude, often warm and safe weather. easy escape.
	2. Mountain environment, altitude between 1000 and 2000 m; beware of thunderstorms, wind and cold weather.
	3. High mountain environment; altitude higher than 2000 m; possible presence of snow section; beware of thunderstorms. wind and cold weather.

Grading System for Snowshoeing Tours

Introductory. Full instruction is given on snowshoe technique and equipment. Designed for those who have done little or no snowshoeing, but who take regular exercise and have a reasonable level of fitness. This is ideal for walkers who want to explore the mountains in winter. Expect to walk on a variety of terrain from flat to undulating, on and off the beaten tracks. Expect to walk for up to 4-6 hours a day.

Intermediate. Suitable for most summer mountain-walkers, but generally involving longer days at a moderate altitude (up to 1,800m). Routes taken are mainly off the beaten track. A good level of fitness is required as these trips can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day.

Advanced. These holidays are very physically challenging and are suitable for regular mountain-walkers who are used to extended days. These treks can involve difficult and sometimes demanding days, as well as lengthy periods at higher altitudes (up to 2,500m, or higher). A high level of fitness and previous snowshoeing experience is essential. Expect to be walking 6-9 hours per day with the occasional longer day.