This guide is designed to help you assess your level and choose a mountain adventure that suits your abilities. The difficulty levels take into account your physical fitness, experience in mountain terrain, and the technical challenges of each route.
In winter, snow conditions must also be considered, as they can make snowshoeing more physically demanding.
For multi-day treks, additional factors include carrying a generally heavier backpack and spending consecutive nights in mountain refuges or tents, where sleep quality may sometimes be reduced.
Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: Up to 300 m
Terrain: Wide, well-marked trails with gentle slopes
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Beginners and families
👉 You walk regularly but have no mountain hiking experience.
Duration: 3 to 5 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: 300 to 800 m
Terrain: Varied trails, sometimes rocky
Difficulty: Moderate
👉 You already have some hiking experience.
Duration: 5 to 7 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: 800 to 1,200 m
Terrain: Mountain trails with steep sections
Difficulty: Challenging
👉 You are physically fit and accustomed to significant elevation gain.
Duration: 7+ hours of hiking
Elevation gain: 1,200 m or more
Terrain: Off-trail routes, exposed terrain and sections with fixed cables
Difficulty: Difficult
👉 You are experienced in long, demanding mountain hikes.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation gain: 0 to 300 m
Terrain: Forests and plateaus
No previous experience required
👉 Ideal for your first snowshoeing experience.
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Elevation gain: 300 to 600 m
Terrain: Forests, alpine meadows, gentle to moderate slopes
👉 A good level of physical fitness is recommended.
Duration: 5 to 7 hours
Elevation gain: 600 to 1,000 m
Terrain: Steep slopes, off-trail routes
👉 A more physically demanding snowshoeing adventure in snowy mountain terrain.
Duration: Full day
Elevation gain: 1,000 m or more
Terrain: Remote, ungroomed mountain terrain
👉 Previous experience in winter mountain conditions is recommended.
This difficulty rating system is inspired by the standards used by professional mountain trekking agencies. It helps you assess your ability to take part in a multi-day trek safely and comfortably.
The difficulty levels take into account:
Physical fitness
Previous multi-day trekking experience
Backpack weight
Daily hiking duration
Technical difficulty of the terrain
Altitude and weather conditions
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Hiking: 3 to 5 hours per day
Elevation gain: 300 to 600 m per day
Backpack: Light pack (5 to 8 kg)
Terrain: Well-marked trails
Accommodation: Comfortable mountain huts or guesthouses
👉 Ideal for your first multi-day trekking experience with overnight stays along the route.
Duration: 3 to 5 days
Hiking: 4 to 6 hours per day
Elevation gain: 600 to 1,000 m per day
Backpack: Moderate load (8 to 12 kg)
Terrain: Varied trails, sometimes technically challenging
Accommodation: Mountain huts, guesthouses or designated camping areas
👉 Good physical fitness and previous hiking experience are required.
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Hiking: 5 to 7 hours per day
Elevation gain: 800 to 1,300 m per day
Backpack: Heavy pack (10 to 15 kg)
Terrain: Alpine mountain terrain with occasional off-trail sections
Accommodation: Unstaffed mountain huts or bivouac camping
👉 Solid hiking experience and good endurance are essential.
Duration: 7 days or more
Hiking: 6 to 8+ hours per day
Elevation gain: 1,000 m or more per day
Backpack: Fully loaded pack (12 to 18 kg)
Terrain: Remote, rugged terrain, sometimes technical or glaciated
Accommodation: Self-sufficient bivouac camping or remote mountain huts
👉 Excellent physical fitness and previous long-distance trekking experience are essential.
The actual difficulty of a route also depends on several factors:
Weather conditions (heat, rain, snow, wind)
Trail conditions (snow, mud, loose rocks)
Altitude and acclimatization
Backpack weight
Consecutive days of hiking
Sleep quality in mountain huts or during bivouac camping
The same trek can feel very different depending on the conditions and your physical fitness at the time. If you’re unsure, it’s best to choose a lower difficulty level or seek advice from a qualified mountain leader.
A professional mountain leader will always adapt the route according to:
The group’s abilities and experience
Weather and snow conditions (in winter)
Terrain and trail conditions (snow cover, accessibility and safety)
The goal: safety, steady progress and enjoyment.
Trekking is, above all, an opportunity to experience a journey through the mountains, combining:
Immersion in nature
Sustained physical activity
Gradually developing independence
Discovering the beauty of the Alpine regions
The goal is not performance, but rather enjoying the mountains safely.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Have I ever hiked for several hours in the mountains?
Am I comfortable with significant elevation gain?
Am I afraid of heights or exposed terrain?
Have I ever tried snowshoeing or multi-day trekking?
Am I currently in good physical shape?
👉 If you’re unsure, always choose a lower difficulty level or ask your mountain leader for advice.
