Grading Scheme
In Scotland, the term walking means any travelling on foot which does not include running or roped climbing and doesn't use hands for keeping one attached to the ground.
Equivalent terms outside Scotland are hiking, tramping, trekking, etc. Where the use of hands is required to maintain balance we use the term "scrambling".
Grade One
For: Novices, armchair walkers, intermittent exercisers.
Terrain: Flattish or mildly undulating, uncomplicated. Mostly paths.
Daily Distance: 5-8 miles (8-13km)
Average Daily Ascent: Less than 1000ft (300m)
Walking For: 4-6 hours (plus stops)
Grade Two
For: Fit novices, anyone with a reasonably active lifestyle.
Terrain: Undulating perhaps lumpy with some off path rough walking.
Average Daily Distance: 8-12 miles (13-20km)
Average Daily Ascent: One or two ascents of up to 1500ft (450m)
Walking For: 5-7 hours (plus stops)
Grade Three
For: Fit novices, regular vigorous exercisers, regular hill walkers / hikers.Good fitness and stamina required.
Terrain: Longish varied paths or rough unpathed hillsides.
Average Daily Distance: 8-14 miles (13-22km)
Average Daily Ascent: Up to 2500ft (770m)
Walking For: 6-8 hours (plus stops)
Grade Four
For: More suited to regular hill walkers / hikers with recent regular experience of rough terrain. Good fitness and stamina necessary. Adventurous and fit novices could be fine - please ask.
Terrain: with a mix of pathed and off path ground which may be rough.
Average Daily Distance: 8-14 miles (13-22km)
Average Daily Ascent: Up to 4000ft (1250m)
Walking For: 6-9 hours (plus stops)
Grade Five
For: Must be regular hill walkers / hikers. Must be fit and experienced enough to enjoy long days with significant ascent and descent.
Terrain: Much is rough and steep even when on paths
Average Daily Distance: 8-16 miles (13-26km)
Average Daily Ascent: Up to 5000ft (1500m)
Walking For: 6-10 hours (plus stops)
Grade Six
For: Must be regular hill walkers/hikers. Must be fit and experienced enough to enjoy long days with significant ascent and descent. Must be capable of moving relatively fluently on steep, rough, exposed ground. Must have a good head for heights and be comfortable with scrambling.
Terrain: A lot of rough, steep, exposed ground and complicated unpathed mountains terrain.
Average Daily Distance: 8-14 miles (13-22km)
Average Daily Ascent: Up to 4500ft (1375m)
Walking For: >6-10 hours (plus stops)