HIKING TRAIL GRADING SYSTEM
We hope this illustration will help you better understand the terrain of our hiking trips and experiences.
No hiking experience required. Suitable for all fitness levels and ages. These trips are designed for those who want to experience hiking in a relaxed active way. The daily distance covers developed paths, well-defined nature trails and steps. The trail surface is either firm gravel or sealed (e.g. concrete or asphalt) with some or low gradient hill sections. Sport shoes are okay for this level.
With a little fitness and stamina, these trips with walking/hiking times between 3 to 4 hours maximum are a wonderful experience.
Please note that easy hikes may sometimes include (short) steep ascents. Nevertheless, determination is usually rewarded with a fantastic view.
Suitable for basic fitness level, good physical condition hikers. For reasonably fit hikers who at least try hiking once. The trips with this level of challenge covers hiking paths that are manageable without any special technical skill requirements.
The trail surface is either firm gravel or sealed (e.g. concrete or asphalt) with hill sections, steps and ascents. There may be occasional use of hands or ropes to move up or down the route. Hiking Boots are highly recommended.
With a good basic level of fitness, the walks or hikes may go up to 5 hours (sometimes a little longer). There will be considerable differences in altitude, achieving as high as 2,000 metres above sea level.
Please note that at this level of difficulty, there may be a consistent steep ascent in some sections of the routes.
Hiking experience and a good level of fitness and endurance is required. Trips usually cover paths and routes where sure-footedness* and sometimes a good head for heights^ are required. Trails may have short steep hill sections, rough surface and many constant steps. There may be use of hands or ropes to move up the route. Hiking Boots are highly recommended.
The differences in altitude or the distances are also greater with daily hiking/trekking of 4 to 8 hours. Hikers/Trekkers will experience constant active exercise. There may be significant differences in altitude, achieving as high as 4,500 metres above sea level. Hikers/Trekkers will often be rewarded with unforgettable, magnificent vast views and hiking experiences that you will remember for a long time.
The good news is that at this level of trips, there are also flat sections!
*sure-footedness: the ability, especially when hiking or mountain climbing, to navigate difficult or rough terrain safely. Such situations place demands on a person's coordination and reserves of strength and require sufficient appreciation of the terrain. A person who is sure-footed is aware that, under certain circumstances, one false step may lead to serious consequences. (credit Wikipedia)
^good head for heights: one has no acrophobia (irrational fear of heights) and is also not particularly prone to fear of falling or suffering from vertigo (the spinning sensation that can be triggered, for example, by looking down from a high place). One can reach a great height without feeling uncontrollably afraid. (credit Wikipedia)
What is the difference between Hiking and Trekking ?
Hiking is the act of walking. It is normally organised mainly as a leisure activity and as a day trip. Hiking is done by walking on well-made marked trails and man-made roads. It can also involve taking a trail to the top of a mountain, or just a gentle trail that winds along a river or creek. However, one can also hike for many days. The routes can be from simple flat trails, to steep slopes that seem to go up and up forever. It may become steep enough to require the use of hands as well as feet.
Trekking is defined as a hiking tour over several days that takes you through mountainous, challenging hiking areas where there is usually no transport available. Trekking is generally considered to be more demanding and intense than hiking. The other key detail is that treks have infrastructures such as walking trails, guest houses, and food stops. Trekking tours often have porters. While having snack stops along the way makes the experience seem a little less strenuous, many famous treks are still pretty high altitudes and makes them more rigorous and challenging. It tests one’s physical ability, endurance, and even their mental or psychological capacity.