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How Difficult Are The Hikes?

We give each of our hikes a difficulty rating so that you can get an idea of the level of fitness required to enjoy it. Level 1 is the easiest, Level 5 is the most difficult.

We try to make the descriptions accurate, but we have many different hikes and they’re all slightly different. Weather and trail conditions can also have an effect, and because we visit most of the trails only once or twice each year we sometimes arrive to find that the trail is more or less difficult than the last time we visited.

Please give us a call or if you would like to check if a hike will be suitable for your level of fitness.

Level 1

Level 1 hikes are very easy with not much climbing, and they normally take around an hour to complete.  We don’t do many of this type - they’re too easy!

Level 2

Level 2 hikes are relaxing, but maybe a bit hilly but do not involve very long climbs. They are usually less than 6 kilometers in length.  This type of hike would take around two hours to finish, and will usually be suitable for children. It’s always best to check first about the child-friendliness of a hike.

Level 3

These are our most common hikes.  Level 3 hikes will take approximately 2-3 hours, and can be either reasonably or challenging, depending on an individual’s experience and level of fitness. They tend to be about 6 to 10 kilometers in length and involve one or two rigorous climbs.  Most people will be able to complete a level 3 hike without much trouble, although they may be difficult for people who are not used to hiking or are severely out of shape.  If you are an inexperienced hiker, please consider the following questions before registering for a level 3 hike: can you climb up three flights of stairs without getting winded?  Can you walk for one hour without taking more than one five-minute break?  Do you have comfortable shoes with good grip and support?

Level 4

Level 4 hikes will take 3-4 hours to complete, and will be difficult for people who are not used to hiking or are out of shape. They tend to range from 10 to 16 kilometers in length and usually involve a great deal of climbing and descending.  Some level 4 hikes are shorter, but very steep.

Level 5

Level 5 hikes will usually take 4-5 hours to complete, with the most difficult level 5 hikes involving up to 8 hours of walking over varied terrain. They are physically challenging, and suitable for experienced hikers in good shape.

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