The walks are graded depicting the difficulty of the walk, the type of terrain, and
the distance. The following table is a guide to the grading. The grade is listed
on the walk in three characters. The first represents the distance, the next character
represents the terrain, and the last character represents the required fitness for
the walk. An example of this grading is S21. This means that the walk is less
than 10 km in length, on a graded track with some hill, and is suitable for a beginner.
Grading System
Distance
Short Under 10km per day Medium 10-15km per day Long 15-20 km per day Extra
Long Over 20 km per day
Terrain
1 - Smooth reasonably flat path 2 - Graded path/track with minor obstacles 3 -
Graded track with obstacles such as rock, roots, fallen debris or creek crossings 4
- Rough unformed track or open terrain with obstacles such as rock, roots, fallen
debris or creek crossings 5 - Rough or rocky terrain with small climbs using hands
or rock hopping 6 - Steep, rough or rocky terrain with large climbs using hands
or rock hopping 7 - Climb/descend steep rock using hands or footholds. May be some
exposure. Good upper body strength 8 - Climb/descend near vertical rock with exposure.
Climbing skills may be required 9 - Sustained climbing or descending of vertical
or near vertical rock with exposure. Advanced climbing skills required. Good upper
body strength
Fitness/Endurance
1 - Basic Suitable for beginners. Up to 4 hours walking. Flat 2 - Basic Suitable
for beginners. Up to 4 hours walking. Minor Hills 3 - Easy Suitable for beginners.
Up to 5 hours walking. Undulating terrain 4 - Easy Suitable for beginners. Up to
5 hours walking. Up to 300m gain/loss per day 5 - Moderate Up to 6 hours walking.
Up to 450m gain/loss per day. Agility required 6 - Moderate Up to 6 hours walking.
Up to 600m gain/loss per day. Agility required 7 - High Up to 8 hours walking. Up
to 750m gain/loss per day. High fitness. Endurance and agility required 8 - High Up
to 8 hours walking. Up to 1000m gain/loss per day. High fitness. Endurance and agility
required 9 - Challenging Up to 12 hours walking. Over 1000m gain/loss per day. Very
high fitness. Endurance and agility required
Example: M48 is a medium walk 10 to 15kms long, over unformed track on rough ground
with obstacles, in which the trip is hard or strenuous for fit walkers requiring
agility and endurance.
