There are three general hiking trail types in the Alps; Hiking, Mountain and Alpine.

How are you with heights and exposure? Do you bounce over boulders like an Ibex or prefer to stay in the green alpine meadows when given the choice?

Within our planning app, we use the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking grades to determine the trail classification. It’s important to know what type of terrain you feel comfortable with so that you can plan a trip that is challenging but not too far out of your comfort zone.

Hiking Trails (Yellow Signs) are typically found under 2,000m / 6,500ft and are the easiest grade of hiking trail. The paths are well marked and terrain is mostly flat or slightly inclined.

Mountain Hiking Trails (White & Red signs) are typically found between 2,000-3,000m / 6,500-9,800ft and are more difficult. The paths can be exposed with ropes or chains to assist and terrain can be steep with boulder crossings in sections.

Alpine Trails (White & Blue signs) are typically found above 3,000m / 9,800ft and are more challenging again - where hiking ends and mountaineering begins. The paths are not always clearly marked and the terrain is mostly exposed - rocky slopes, snow or glacier passages.