• Trail Difficulty
    Trail Difficulty

Trail Difficulty

Cadeau Hiking Trails are classed Grade 3.

Grading a hike correctly is very important. If a hike is more difficult than advertised, it will lead to discomfort and possibly danger for members of the party who cannot take the pace or manage the level of difficulty.

In the detailed Tables, grades are based on technical difficulty. Hike grade categories 0 to 4 are determined by the most difficult section of the hike, which may be quite short. Where relevant, height gain and/or expected duration (distance) give an idea of the level of fitness required to complete the hike comfortably.

Grade Descriptions

Grade 0 - Walking on good path. Suitable for the whole family

Easy with a good path (contour path, jeep track, pavement etc). Suitable for the whole family.

Grade 1 - Easy hiking. Walking on a trail, no use of hands

This grade is used if the peak can be climbed by walking on a trail to the summit. No use of hands is needed; however, the trail may be somewhat narrow and somewhat steep. A fall may result in injury but is unlikely unless very careless.

Grade 2 - Easy hiking. Walking on/off trail. Occasional use of hands

The grade is used to classify a climb where the climber must walk off-trail or where a trail requires occasional use of hands for support and balance. The terrain can vary considerably and care may be needed in order to place your feet safely. Still, there is a clear notion of walking. There may be exposure and unpleasant consequences from a fall. The level of attention required is definitely higher than for a class 1 trail.

Grade 2+ - Serious hiking. Between walking and easy scrambling. Hands used more frequently

This grade is used to characterize a climb that really falls between walking and easy climbing. Easy scrambling falls into this category. Hands are used more frequently than permitted under a class 2 grading, but the “look and feel” is still more walking than climbing.

Grade 3 - Very strenuous hiking. Scrambling. Use of hands to facilitate upward movement

Broadly covers what is often termed scrambling. You do need to use your hands in order to facilitate upward movement, but hand and footholds are quite plentiful. There are often many alternate variations of the route. Short sections of class 3 are usually climbed without the security of a rope, however many people would feel more comfortable having a rope on long, sustained sections as well as passages with significant exposure. Down climbing a class 3 route requires careful moves and considerable attention; this is almost always easier with the assistance of a rope. A fall is likely to result in serious injury.

Grade 4 - Climbing

The first level of real climbing. A class 4 pitch requires full focus on the upward movement. There are fewer variations in how a move can be done. While short sections may still be done un-roped, longer, or exposed sections are usually done with the security of a rope. Most people would prefer to rapell (abseil) instead of down-climbing a class 4 pitch of more than a few meters. A fall could be fatal.

Grade 5X - Technical Climbing

This grade, with “x” ranging from 1-14, is used to characterize technical climbing.