Walkabout Scotland
Grading our walks
To help you choose the most appropriate holiday, we've graded all our holidays on a scale of 1  to 4  (Easy to Strenuous). Each grade refers to the predominant standard of walks within each holiday and takes into account factors such as fitness required, terrain, distances covered and length and steepness of ascent each day.
When choosing your holiday please also refer to the individual holiday itinerary for a complete description of the walks each day. In general it should be noted that to get the most out of your walking holiday you should be reasonably fit and healthy and take some form of regular exercise.
Terrain in the mountains of Scotland tends to be fairly rugged and paths can be good but are often rough, rocky or boggy. Please read the gradings and if you have any questions at all about the suitability of a trip then please just contact us.
For trips that have a split grading (eg Easy to Moderate), the lower grade predominantly describes the level of the trip.
Easy
Our holidays at this grade are suitable for all recreational walkers. No particular experience is required and anyone who is in good health and fit enough to enjoy the occasional weekend hillwalk or hiking trip will enjoy this grade of holiday. Walks are taken at a gentle pace with plenty of time to stop and admire the scenery and to enjoy the different features of the landscape. However, our walking holidays always involve some exertion: routes are seldom flat and you should still expect a reasonable amount of ascent and descent each day. Walks each day will be around 5 to 6 hours, with distances of between 6-10 miles (10-16km). Ascents will be gentle and no more than 2000 ft (600 metres), usually less. Terrain is generally pathed, but you should expect some rough ground.
Moderate 
Our moderate holidays include a mixture of higher mountain ascents and longer lower level walks. Previous hillwalking experience is not necessarily required however you should be reasonably fit and enjoy some form of regular exercise. Walking times each day are between 6-8 hours, with daily distances covered of around 10 miles (16 km). Mountain ascents of the order of 1500- 3000 feet (450-900 metres) are a feature of this grade however these will be combined with lower level walks on alternate days. Terrain will be variable - generally good mountain paths but rough or rugged ground should always be expected.
Challenging 
For our challenging grade holidays it is important that you have a good level of fitness as you will be on steeper mountainous terrain for the duration of the holiday. Previous hillwalking experience is preferred, although though not essential. The emphasis will be on mountain walks each day of between 7-9 hours, with daily ascents of between 2500-4000ft (800-1200 metres). Terrain varied, with rough paths including rugged, rocky terrain but with no scrambling required.
Strenuous
If you plan to join a holiday at this grade it is essential that you have previous experience of hillwalking over hard and rugged mountainous terrain. Hill days of between 7-9 hours, occasionally up to 10, with total ascents each day of between 3000-5000 feet (900-1500 metres). Terrain tough underfoot, from rough pathless moorland and mountain paths to exposed rocky ridges with some scrambling. This grade is reserved for our most demanding holidays.
If you are at all unsure just contact us to discuss the most appropriate grade for your trip.
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