The Hiking and Fitness Difficulty Ratings are based on the following criteria:
- Distance
- Average Pace
- Estimated Stops
- Accumulated Elevation
- Steepness of Ascents and Descents
- Trail Surface and Type
Level 1
Most abilities accommodated, little to no distance covered and little to no elevation gain experienced. Highly accessible, generally family–friendly in and around trailheads and staging areas. There are rocks, holes, dips, and crevices in a natural setting on the trails and staging areas. Please consider you will be in a preserve and a wilderness setting.
Level 2
Distances around 2 miles, with minimal elevation gain and low grades, done at a slow pace with numerous stops for resting, regrouping, and/or interpretation, a high likelihood of shaded areas along the trail, mostly flat or gently rolling terrain in a wilderness setting that changes frequently. There are rocks, holes, dips, and crevices in a natural setting on the trails and staging areas.
Level 3
Distances around 4 miles with expected elevation gain up to 1,000 feet overall. Done at a slow to moderate walking pace no faster than 3 mph, with stops for resting, regrouping and/or interpretation. Some shaded areas, mostly natural surface trails or roads and a few hills with mild to moderate grades in a wilderness setting that changes frequently. There are rocks, holes, dips, and crevices in a natural setting on the trails and staging areas.
Level 4
Distances around 8 miles (occasionally longer) and significant elevation gain up to 2,000 feet or slightly more including few steep climbs. Generally done at a quick walking pace, around 3.5 mph (not running or jogging). Only a few stops for resting/regrouping, hiking over natural surface trails, including some singletrack, and could be slightly technical in nature with little chance for shade. This is set in a wilderness setting that changes frequently. There are rocks, holes, dips, and crevices in a natural setting on the trails and staging areas.
Level 5
Distances over 10 miles, and/or very high levels of elevation gain, above 2,000 feet accumulated, over steep, hilly, rugged terrain, covering a variety of natural surface trail types including technical singletrack. Few to no stops for resting/regrouping, done at a quick pace (potentially a jog or above), and little to no shade along the trail. Due to the distances and elevation changes experienced on these routes, the time spent outside in exposed environs is also generally high. This is set in a wilderness setting that changes frequently. There are rocks, holes, dips, and crevices in a natural setting on the trails and staging areas.
