How to assess the difficulty of a route

‘Difficult’ does not mean the same thing to everyone, so it is worth looking at figures rather than adjectives. Four variables account for almost all of a route’s difficulty: total ascent, distance, type of terrain and time available.

Total ascent

This is the sum of all the climbing you do, not the difference between the lowest and highest points. An undulating route can involve 800 metres of ascent without reaching a single summit. It is the best predictor of fatigue.

• Up to 300 m: manageable for almost anyone without specific preparation.
• 300–600 m: requires some regular walking experience.
• 600–1,000 m: a day in the mountains; requires prior training.
• More than 1,000 m: only for those with experience and good fitness.

Estimating the time needed

A simple, cautious calculation: divide the horizontal distance by 4 km/h and add 10 minutes for every 100 m of ascent and 5 minutes for every 100 m of steep descent. Then add 20–25 % for stops, photos and food. If the result does not fit within the available daylight hours, the route is too long for that day.

Terrain: where difficulty becomes more than physical

• Track or wide, firm path: no technical difficulty.
• Mountain path with loose stones: requires care and good footwear.
• Boulder fields, easy scrambling or exposed sections: require experience and a head for heights.
• Snow, ice or river crossings through water: specialist equipment and training; this is not hiking.

The MIDE rating, if the route has one

MIDE is a rating system used in Spain that scores four aspects from 1 to 5: severity of the environment, route-finding, difficulty of movement across the terrain and level of effort. If the route information includes it, it tells you much more than a ‘moderate’ label.

Warning:Difficulty is determined by the slowest person in the group and by the descent, not the ascent. Many accidents happen on the way down, when the group is tired and in a hurry to finish.