Our walking and trekking trips are designed to be accessible to all who are in good health and enjoy the outdoors, but fitness levels are important and you should consider carefully which trip is right for you. Our grading system is there to help you choose a trip appropriate to your ability and requirements. For harder trips the correct preparation can vastly enhance your enjoyment; stamina building aerobic activities such as regular cycling, swimming, jogging and walking beforehand will make a noticeable difference.

There is no need to worry about not walking fast enough or holding back the group. All you need to focus on is your ability to complete the route. Everyone has his or her own comfortable pace and we always strive to accommodate this. All Walking & Trekking holidays present physical demands, so expect to feel some tiredness even after a ‘leisurely’, day’s walking. Grades are only a guide.

How we grade our Walking & Trekking holidays

When grading a trip the following factors are considered:

• Length of trek and walking day
• Trail conditions underfoot
• Level of porterage and support
• Average altitude, maximum altitude and average
• Gain/loss per day
• Likely prevailing weather conditions and
• Temperature range
• Remoteness of local services and general level of comfort

Leisurely

Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk can manage a Leisurely grade.

LENGTH OF WALKING DAY	CONDITIONS UNDERFOOT	ALTITUDE	WEATHER & TEMPERATURE	REMOTENESS & COMFORT
Short, often optional walks of between four and five hours duration	Good, well maintained paths or tracks	Low altitude, with little daily variation	Generally good with no extremes	Comfortable with easy access to local amenities

Moderate

Again, no experience is necessary; those who take weekend hill walks in areas like the Peak District or Cotswold’s at home should manage these treks; good health and reasonable fitness are important. These Moderately graded departures are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks.

LENGTH OF WALKING DAY	CONDITIONS UNDERFOOT	ALTITUDE	WEATHER & TEMPERATURE	REMOTENESS & COMFORT
Occasional longer/harder days – average five to seven hours duration	Generally good paths, but some rocky terrain	Generally no extremes of altitude or ascent/ decent. Max ascent approx. 800m No	No real extremes	Mainly good facilities, with access to local amenities

Challenging

Fitness is important and you may have to improve yours before departure. Most treks at this grade compare to extended walking in mountainous terrain such as the Lakes of Snowdonia, but usually at significantly higher altitudes; climate and remoteness can also play a part. Previous trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident of your physical condition.

LENGTH OF WALKING DAY	CONDITIONS UNDERFOOT	ALTITUDE	WEATHER & TEMPERATURE	REMOTENESS & COMFORT
Six to eight hours with occasional longer days on peaks or passes	Expect some difficult terrain underfoot, including loose scree	Some trips may reach high altitudes, with occasional significant daily ascents. Average max. 1000m	Expect some extremes of hot/cold, and changeable weather patterns	Possibly remote areas with basic facilities on some nights

Tough

Those experienced in trekking for a number of consecutive days in the Scottish Highlands, will understand how tough treks at this grade can be – stamina is essential, as walking days are long. We recommend previous trekking experience, preferably at altitude; you need complete confidence in your physical condition and the ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain.

LENGTH OF WALKING DAY	CONDITIONS UNDERFOOT	ALTITUDE	WEATHER & TEMPERATURE	REMOTENESS & COMFORT
Long, hard days of around seven or eight hours (or longer) duration	Difficult terrain including snow or scrambling sections – you may need ice axe and crampons	Expect extremes of altitude, and long days of ascent/ decent. A number of days over 1000m ascent	Be prepared – expect the unexpected!	Remote, wild environments with few facilities, perhaps for extended periods. Be prepared to rough it!

Tough +

This grade tour combines all the elements of our previous grade, tough itineraries, but adds extra difficulties such as tricky river crossings, very high or difficult passes, glaciers or peaks that require basic climbing skills. Often specialist equipment, like ice axes and crampons will be needed and you must have experience of them.

LENGTH OF WALKING DAY	CONDITIONS UNDERFOOT	ALTITUDE	WEATHER & TEMPERATURE	REMOTENESS & COMFORT
Numerous long hard days with early starts	Some technical terrain – ice, snow or rock	Our biggest and most technical trips – prolonged periods over over 3000m	Real extremes of cold can be expected for prolonged periods at high altitude, except high summer	Remote itineraries well away from any amenity Six