To assist you in determining which tour is right for your fitness and experience levels, we include the following ratings on our scheduled hikes. These ratings will accompany each trip’s description. Try to get an idea of which category is right for you. If you are in doubt about which trip is right for you, please do not hesitate to call us.

Easy: This rating applies primarily to our lodge-based trips and to a handful of day hikes. You will carry only a day pack. You should be comfortable walking 3-5 miles in a day over generally level terrain, taking as many breaks as you need.

Moderate: This rating describes trips with long days of on-trail hiking, possibly with significant ups and downs. You should be comfortable walking/hiking over uneven terrain with only occasional breaks.

Strenuous: This rating denotes trips with steep, long days of both on and off-trail hiking. You should be comfortable running/biking/hiking for several hours without many breaks.

Extreme: This rating denotes a trip with very strenuous off-trail hiking (you may encounter boulder fields, steep side slopes, gullies, and thick vegetation). You should be able to hike all day with a 45 pound pack over varying terrain. You must be able to exercise vigorously at home (extended runs, swims, bike rides, etc.) to join a hike with an extreme rating.