Defined according to the skills that you need for mastering the technical challenges of a trail walking/hiking or trail running.
Always be prepared to face unexpected situations, especially if you are deep into the wilderness.
Trails are subject to environmental influences like erosion, growth of vegetation etc., and the actual difficulty of a trail may change over time.
In certain weather conditions the trails can be much harder to walk or run – the rating reflects the locally prevailing situation with respect to the trail being dry or wet.
Beginner
You are used to walk or run on hiking trails in gently hilly terrain
Required skills
No specific requirements except that you might have to look at the trail to see where you are putting your feet
Possible with jogging shoes
Orientation is possible without specific knowledge of the area and usually without a map
Interpretation Help for trail running
“Full Rhythm / Flow“
Running Character: Running is fully possible with a consistent, rhythmic “road-style” gait.
Visual Focus: 10 m ahead to horizon
Uphill & Downhill: There is little difference in the technical require-ments between uphill and downhill. The stride normally remains natural and predictable in both directions.
Intermediate
You are used to hike or run on steep or rocky trails in the mountains
Required skills
Elementary sure-footedness
Being concentrated and looking at the trail necessary most of the time to see where you are putting your feet
Some balance to walk narrow bridges
Knowing how to walk steep sections in control (e.g., bending knees, leaning forward if going down)
Elementary orientation and map reading skills
Interpretation Help for trail running
“Reactive Rhythm“
Running Character: Running remains fluid but transitions to a more reactive style. The gait is occasionally adjusted to manage obstacles and surface changes.
Visual Focus: 3-5 m ahead
Uphill: Stride length remains mostly consistent, requiring only minor reactive balance to maintain a steady rhythm.
Downhill: Fluid movement requires scanning of the trail and reactive adjustments to maintain stability on uneven and loose surfaces.
Advanced
You are used to hike or run in alpine terrain, use hiking poles to negotiate steep and slippery sections, use your hands for balance or on ladders and navigate boulder fields
Required skills
Sure-footedness
Good balance to walk narrow passages (feet not next to each other)
Constant concentration on the trail required
Trail may be so steep and slippery and steps so high that knowing how to use hiking sticks is necessary
You may need your hands for balance
Climbing easy and short ladders
Solid orientation and map reading skills
Elementary alpine experience
Interpretation Help for trail running
“The Technical Dance“
Running Character: The gait becomes highly dynamic and requires constant line choice. Bounding/leaping/ powerstride movements become necessary to keep momentum.
Visual Focus: 1 m ahead
Uphill: Running can be possible but requires professional level strength.
Downhill: Requires a high frequency of technical foot placements and precise mid-foot strikes. The movement is rapid and agile, using the body’s core to manage sudden changes in direction and height.
Experts
You are very experienced in dangerous alpine terrain and feel safe to cross very steep passages with little traces and markings
Required skills
Good sure-footedness also when there are little to no footholds to place your shoes
Very good balance also on loose material and in exposed terrain
Walking on partially unstable boulder slopes
Some easy climbing sections (UIAA grade I), so hands required for movement and poles have to be stowed away
High experience in orientation in complex terrain
Good alpine experience
Elementary terrain judgement
Elementary knowledge in handling alpine technical aids (e.g., short ropes, harness, crampons)
Interpretation Help for trail running
“Power-Hiking & Bursts“
Running Character: Standard running gait is largely replaced by a “step-by-step” progression.
Visual Focus: foot/hand
Uphill: Running mostly impossible due to technical obstacles or trail grade. Movement is primarily “power-hiking” or light scrambling where feet are placed with high deliberation and hands often needed.
Downhill: Movement often resembles “controlled falling” or “rock-hopping.” It requires extreme core strength and ankle stability to absorb high-impact landings on rugged, blocked terrain.
Extreme
You are comfortable to navigate very dangerous pathless alpine terrain without the possibility to secure yourself, and with higher technical demands than those of easy climbing routes
Required skills
Excellent sure-footedness also in steep terrain without footholds, e.g., very steep grassy slopes
Excellent balance also on narrow and exposed ridges
Easy climbing passages in UIAA I-II to longer climbing sections in UIAA II.
Extremely good sense of orientation and instinctive route-finding skills in unclear or confusing terrain
Mature and in-depth alpine experience
Very good terrain judgement
Experienced knowledge in the use of alpine technical aids
Interpretation Help for trail running
“Static Progression“
Running Character: Running is normally physically impossible and unsafe; movement is measured and static.
Visual Focus: foot/hand
Uphill: Progression requires the use of hands or fixed equipment (cables, ladders). Weight is shifted carefully from one stable point to the next.
Downhill: Descent is a series of controlled technical manoeuvre or “down-climbing,” requiring absolute focus on weight distribution and contact points with the terrain.