We want you to enjoy your walk – and matching your level of fitness to the walk you go on is a good start. It’s important both from an enjoyment and health and safety perspective that you know how easy or difficult the walk is before you set out on it. To help you gauge the level of difficulty we have developed the following guide to our grading system.
The Walking Weekend gives us all a chance to ‘have a go’ in a safe and comfortable environment. The leaders and tail end Charlies are all there to make sure you have a great time, give encouragement and help each walker achieve a goal
Grade 1. Essentially flat with maybe a few gentle rises such as on a footpath or on firm sand on the beach. Sweat is unheard of on these tracks!
Grade 2. Flat to rolling with some easy short climbs on a well surfaced track. Not commonly used in training for the Coast to Coast!
Grade 3. Some good climbs of moderate duration, sometimes with stream crossings and the odd muddy/slippery patch, but on well-formed tracks. Be prepared for heavy breathing!
Grade 4. Includes some more demanding sections of steep climbs and descents but still on well-formed tracks, although requiring care on slippery surfaces and stream crossings. Real men and women walk these tracks – are you up to it?
Grade 5. Tough, steep, uneven, and demanding tracks. Hillary would have trained on these!
If a walker has a disability or is on medication the organisers need to know. If you are unsure of your fitness level plan to do a number of walks round your neighbourhood before you attend for the weekend.
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