Difficulty of hiking trails
Not every hiking trail is the same – and, therefore, not equally suitable for every hiker. Factors such as surface, width, condition and exposure have a significant influence on the suitability of a trail for different groups of people. The Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) has created a difficulty scale that makes this assessment easier.
Difficulty of hiking trails
The difficulty of a hiking route as per the SAC rating scale. The actual difficulty and your personal readiness should always be reassessed on site. Wet conditions, ice, old snow, fresh snow or poor visibility can drastically increase the difficulty or make the route impossible.
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.
Example tours: Mont Raimeux, Grubenberg hut, Vermigel hut, Capanna Cadagno, Kronberg via St. Jakob, Rifugio Saoseo CAS
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.
Example tours: Moléson, Turtmann hut SAC, Bächlital hut SAC, Bergsee hut SAC, Capanna Campo Tencia CAS, Fridolins hut SAC, Silvretta hut SAC
Typical terrain and possible difficulties: Continuous footpath. Terrain partly steep. Danger of falling not entirely ruled out.
Requirements: Elementary surefootedness. Basic orientation skills.
Example tours: Moléson, Turtmann hut SAC, Bächlital hut SAC, Bergsee hut SAC, Capanna Campo Tencia CAS, Fridolins hut SAC, Silvretta hut SAC
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.
Example tours: Chasseral via Combe Grède, Cabane d‘Orny CAS, Gleckstein hut SAC, Gross Mythen, Pizzo Centrale, Säntis from Schwägalp, Zapporthütte SAC
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.
Example tours: Chasseral via Combe Grède, Cabane d‘Orny CAS, Gleckstein hut SAC, Gross Mythen, Pizzo Centrale, Säntis from Schwägalp, Zapporthütte SAC
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.
Example tours: Tour d‘Aï, Mischabel hut, Schreckhornhütte SAC, Uri Rotstock from Musenalp, Bocchetta della Campala, Pizol, Capanna Sasc Furä CAS
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.
Example tours: Tour d‘Aï, Mischabel hut, Schreckhornhütte SAC, Uri Rotstock from Musenalp, Bocchetta della Campala, Pizol, Capanna Sasc Furä CAS
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.
Example tours: Dent de Brenleire arête NW, Stockhornbiwak SAC, Silberhorn hut SAC, Bristen, Pizzo di Claro Via Lumino, Säntis Chammhalden, Zervreilahorn (from the South)
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.
Example tours: Dent de Brenleire arête NW, Stockhornbiwak SAC, Silberhorn hut SAC, Bristen, Pizzo di Claro Via Lumino, Säntis Chammhalden, Zervreilahorn (from the South)
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.
Example tours: Dent de Brenleire–Dent de Folliéran, Tour Sallière, Fromberghorn NE-Grat, Schlieren Nordgrat, Cresta dei Corni (Pizzo Campo Tencia), Gams-Chopf Nordgrat, Glärnisch Guppengrat
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.
Example tours: Dent de Brenleire–Dent de Folliéran, Tour Sallière, Fromberghorn NE-Grat, Schlieren Nordgrat, Cresta dei Corni (Pizzo Campo Tencia), Gams-Chopf Nordgrat, Glärnisch Guppengrat
Trail markings and difficulty comparison
The colors and signage of trails in the different countries. These Markings may appear on signs, painted trail markings or as other markers.
Photo: Alruhn Wehde, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Alruhn Wehde, Outdooractive Editors
