Grading system

You should have a good level of fitness for the level of walk being undertaken. We grade all of our walks on the length of day, amount of ascent, type of terrain and exposure. We have 3 main grades which may also be linked to give intermediate grades; If there is an exposed area, e.g. a narrow ridge line or edge (Striding/Sharp Edge) then the walk will be graded accordingly e.g. Hard/Exposure. If in doubt telephone and chat before booking!

EASY

This is a gentle walk, a half day walk or a low level route. You need to be comfortable with an ascent of 400m and be able to walk for up to 4 hours. This walk will cover quite simple ground, however you will need to have a good level of fitness.

MODERATE

This is a slightly longer day out on the hill with up to 700m of ascent and descent. You will need to be comfortable walking for up to 6 hours a day and have a good level of fitness. This is a short to medium walk covering simple ground up to 10km.

MODERATE/HARD

This is a long walk with rocky, steep and challenging ground. You will need to be comfortable being out on the hill for between 6-7 hours and have a good level of general fitness.

HARD

This is a long day out on the hill with a lot of ascent and descent. Up to and over 12km may be covered and you will need to be physically fit to stay out on the hill for up to 7 hours. You need to be comfortable walking, in some parts, over rocky, steep and unstable ground. Some 1000m and over may be covered in one day.

HARD/EXPOSURE

This is a long day out with an exposed ridge line walk i.e. Helvellyn & Striding Edge or Blencathra & Sharp Edge. You need to be physically fit and be able to walk up to 14km or more in a day with over 1000m of ascent/descent. The day will be up to 8 hours long. You will need to have a head for heights, as parts of the walk will be exposed to big drops on either sides of the ridge. Finally; this will be a challenging day out, both in terms of the duration you will be out on the hill, and the mental and physical demands exposure will have on you.