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The Hike Difficulty System on HikeBuddy helps hikers easily understand the challenge level of every trail before setting out on their adventure. Based on the official SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) hiking scale, our color-coded guide provides a clear and consistent reference across Europe.
Please note: All trail classifications on HikeBuddy are added by individual users and are not verified by the platform.
We recommend checking official trail maps, signs, and local conditions before your hike.
| Color | Trail Name (EN) | User Level | SAC Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔵 Blue | Easy hike | Beginners, families | T1 |
| 🔴 Red | Moderate hike | Regular hikers | T2–T3 |
| ⚫ Black | Difficult hike | Experienced hikers, mountaineers | T4–T5 |
| 🏔️ Alpine | Alpine route | Expert alpinists, glacier travel, rope needed | T6 |
The SAC Hiking Scale is the standard in all German-speaking countries denoting the difficulty of all paths, hiking ways, and trails. Developed by the Swiss Alpine Club, it takes surface, gradients, exposure, experience and gear required, and safety precautions into account.
| Grade | Trail Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Hiking Trails | Well-cleared trails with no major challenges. Compact surface, gentle gradients, no risk of falling. |
| T2 | Mountaineering Trails | Well-marked trails with occasional steep sections. Slight risk of falling. |
| T3 | Demanding Mountaineering Trails | Trails may be steep and exposed. Chains or ropes are often provided. Higher risk of falling. |
| T4 | Alpine Hiking Trails | Trails may be unmarked. Includes gravel, glaciers, or steep terrain. Constant exposure risk. |
| T5 | Demanding Alpine Hiking Trails | No clear path. Includes rocky slopes, glaciers, and technically challenging terrain. Gear like ropes/ice axe may be needed. |
| T6 | Advanced Alpine Hiking Trails | Unmarked and includes climbing (UIAA grade II). Very steep, icy, or glacial. High risk. Advanced alpine gear required. |
The SAC Hiking Scale evaluates the nature of the terrain, the exposure of the trail, and the technical equipment and experience required. It is the standard across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
Source: komoot.com