Our Grading Levels

The categories below are intended as a guide, more information can be found on each event. If you have any concerns or questions before signing up, please contact us and we will help you find the right event.

Easy

Level 1

Straightforward, easy walks.

Terrain:   Often on good tracks or paths, with ascents and descents, some uneven ground in places.

Experience required:   Has done some outdoors walking on paths and waymarked trails.

Ascent: < 500m, distance: < 15km, time taken: < 5 hours.

Level 2

Longer flatter walks and easy hill walks.

Terrain:  Tracks or good paths with some off path walking.

Experience required:   Some low level hill walking.

Ascent: <1,000m, distance: <15km, time taken: <7 hours.

Medium

Level 3

More strenuous hill walking day.

Terrain:   Not always on paths, some steep ascents or descents, may include uneven ground (such as boulder fields, scree, boggy area or deep heather), possibly some ridge walking.

Experience Required:  Some hill walking experience on higher hills like Scottish Munros (above 3,000ft).

Ascent: <1,400m, distance: <20km, time taken: 7-9 hours.

Level 4

Demanding hill walking day.

Terrain: Not always on paths, some steep ascents or descents, may include uneven ground (such as boulder fields, scree, boggy area or deep heather), perhaps ridge walking with some exposure, potentially occasional easy rock-scrambling.

Experience required: Regular hill walking experience on higher hills like Scottish Munros (above 3,000ft).

Ascent: <1,600m, distance: <25km, time taken: 8-10 hours.

Hard

Level 5

Demanding hill walks, long distance, possibly multi-day.

Terrain:   Possible multiple steep ascents or descents, rough terrain in places (boulder field, scree or deep heather), perhaps ridge walking with some exposure, potentially occasional easy rock-scrambling.

Experience required:   Regular hill walking / long distance walking experience on higher hills like Scottish Munros (above 3,000ft).

Ascent - around 2,000m, distance: >25km, time taken: 9-12 hours.

Level 6

Mountaineering days out with on rocky terrain with planned use of a rope, e.g. Skye Munros.

Experience required:  Experience moving on rough ground in the hills and a high level of fitness is essential, as is a good head for heights.