The hiking difficulty grading scale gives an overall assessment of routes and paths...
providing (minimal) information on the characteristics of the terrain and on the possible difficulties you may come across.
The hiking difficulty grading scale gives an overall assessment of routes and paths, providing (minimal) information on the characteristics of the terrain and on the possible difficulties you may come across.
T – Turistico (easy walk on good paths)
E – Escursionistico (hiking path)
EE – Escursionisti Esperti (for experienced hikers)
EEA – Escursionisti esperti ed Attrezzati (experienced hikers with equipment, via ferrata)
Difficulty: TOURIST ROUTE (T)
These are usually routes that wind along gravel roads, mule tracks or clear, waymarked paths, usually at altitudes that are not too high and in any case in easily accessible areas. They require only modest walking fitness and ordinary outing gear. Height gains under 500 metres.
Difficulty: HIKING ROUTE (E)
These are routes on roads, mule tracks or clear traces left by livestock, usually waymarked, not too exposed or awkward, with possible but not dangerous moves on rock, always and in any case unexposed. They require experience and basic mountain equipment: rucksack, boots or trekking poles. A certain feel for route-finding is needed. Height gains between 500 and 1000 metres.
Difficulty: ROUTE FOR EXPERIENCED HIKERS (EE)
These are routes that climb through mountainous or wooded areas and call for adequate route-finding skills and the ability to recognise traces of path that are not always there. The route may involve easy rock-climbing moves, some with possible exposure problems, moves on ice even where flat and, more generally, crossings of rugged ground.
Height gains over 1000 metres.
Difficulty: ROUTE FOR EXPERIENCED AND EQUIPPED HIKERS (EEA)
These are all those routes in rugged areas or with exposed passages that require the use of equipment for personal protection (crampons, ice axe, via ferrata protection) and mutual protection (harness and rope). They certainly demand considerable physical effort and good psychological balance (so-called cool-headedness). Height gains over 1000 metres.
Each difficulty level can be given a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to give a more precise assessment of the route.
Sources:
- Il grande libro della Montagna – The Mountaineers – Mondadori
- Il manuale dell’Alpinista – Giancarlo Corbellini – Piemme Pocket
- www.montagnapertutti.it
- www.trekkinglab.com
For climbs on rock and ice see also the mountaineering difficulty scale.