Different Types of Trails and Trail Difficulty Explained

Want to know all about different types of trails and what all the difficulty ratings mean exactly?

Sometimes, a trail that looks easy might be listed as moderately difficult. That could either make you think it’s not that bad and give you a very strenuous experience, or it might even scare you away, and you’ll miss an excellent hike that you probably could have done. Nonetheless, not understanding the different types of trails and their difficulty levels will only hurt you as a hiker in the long run.

In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the types of trails, difficulty levels, understanding of elevation, and more.

Different Types of Trails difficulty ratings

There are multiple difficulty ratings for different types of trails and different types of public land.

The Shenandoah Difficulty Rating is popularly used in the National Park system. It uses a numerical rating (points) of elevation gain x 2 x the actual distance in miles of hiking. As you can see, the ratings go from easy to very strenuous:

• Easy: (50 or under points) slight incline, less than 3 miles
• Moderate: (50-100 points) moderate incline, steeper sections, 3-5 miles
• Moderately Strenuous: (100-150 points) steady and often steep incline, 5-8 miles
• Strenuous: (150-200 points) longer and steeper from elevation gain, 7-10 miles
• Very Strenuous: (200 or more points) Long and steep, creek crossings, rock scrambling, 8 miles or more

The US Forest Service rates its trails based on the width of the trail, surface type, and grade. This can be helpful for more user groups, including hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and other groups. They use a simple three-rating system as explained below:

• Easy: 18-24″ trail width, spot gravel, 20% grade
• Moderate: 12-18″ trail width, roots-rocks-logs, 30% grade
• Difficult: 12″ trail width, No graded tread, 30% or more grade

The Sierra Club rates their different types of trails and difficulty based on mileage and elevation. Most of those who might use this rating system are on foot. They have also adopted a very simple three-rating system like others:

• Easy: 6 miles or less and up to 1,300 feet of elevation
• Moderate: 6-10 miles and up to 2,500 feet of elevation
• Strenuous: 9 or more miles and greater than 2,500 feet of elevation

Yosemite has also created its own trail difficulty system. It uses classes but a lot of times is geared towards simple hiking to very technical mountain climbing. The classes that are categorized within the Yosemite rating system include:

• Class One: A walk in the park.
• Class Two: Using your hands for balancing.
• Class Three: Scrambling on rocks.
• Class Four: Difficult scrambling on rocks.
• Class Five: Technical rock climbing with gear and knowledge.

There are even more different types of trails and rating systems based on difficulty levels in all parts of the world where hiking and other activities are taking place. It’s important to understand the rating system anywhere you plan to visit. It will literally make or break your experience.

Understanding Elevation

Elevation isn’t that difficult to understand. The explanation below depicts a very basic definition of elevation in regard to the different types of trails for hiking and outdoor recreation. You should try to continue your knowledge building with advanced learning in elevation readings on mapping tools.

A high point in terms of elevation is the highest endpoint above sea level that you will experience on the trail.

Elevation gain is the amount of elevation between the start of your hike to the end. This is the total amount of gain that you will hike or climb.

When it comes to the different types of trails and elevation gain, 0 to 400 feet is typically rated as easy. 401 to 700 feet is moderately difficult, while 701 to 1,000 feet is considered difficult. Anything over 1,000 feet is usually considered strenuous or challenging.

Don’t assume that a short trail will always be easy. Some shorter trails have more elevation gain than the much longer trails nearby. Elevation is always an important factor to consider when researching different types of trails.

The grade helps you understand the steepness of the trail. If the trail is 10% or less, it’s usually a nice and easy walk. A trail with a 20% grade might make you feel burning in your thighs. A grade of 30% will make a heavy backpack very uncomfortable on your back. Anything over 30% grade will probably result in some panting and a lot of resting, especially for those of you who are beginners.

Understanding elevation and grade is essential to ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable hike. As a beginner, it’s best to start out with easier hikes and gradually increase the difficulty as you get better at hiking.

Different Types of Trails for User Activities

There are many different types of trails for different user activities. It’s important to know these types of trails so that you can choose the right trail based on the activity you wish to pursue. Let’s take a look at these different types of trails to choose from:

• Hiking-only trails: These are trails designated for hiking only.
• Multi-use trails: These are trails designated for hikers and other users such as mountain bikers and equestrian riders.
• Bikeways: These are typically trails and paths made for cyclists, but in most cases, hikers are also permitted to use them.
• Boardwalks: These are trails made up of a structure that you walk on, usually over water or for observation.
• Interpretive trails: These are trails with signage that teaches you about the trail while you use it.
• Hiking without trails: This is usually the case in trail-less areas, wilderness areas, or backcountry areas. Please ensure you follow Leave No Trace principles in these areas.
• Access trail: These trails usually lead to trailheads, parking lots, businesses, camps, towns, or stations.
• Fire roads: These are usually dirt or gravel roads for fire suppression activities or vehicular travel.
• Rail trail: These are trails that were once railways that have since been converted to cycling, equestrian, and pedestrian paths.
• Spur trail: A spur trail is usually a secondary trail from a main trail that goes to some form of point of interest nearby.

Knowing the different types of trails, you can use can make planning and preparing for your trip much easier.

Different Types of Trails

The following types of trails focus on the style of the trail in terms of what you will be hiking. This is also important for planning purposes.

• Loop: A loop trail starts and ends at the same location, walking in a loop-like formation.
• Lollipop Loop: A lollipop trail has a starting point that goes to another starting point, which will also be the ending point for that loop. However, you’ll still need to hike back on the initial trail that led you from the first starting point.
• Horseshoe: This is where you start at a road or trail and take another trail that will end you on that same road or trail at a further point ahead.
• Out and Back: This is when you start at one point, hike to the endpoint, and then turn around a retrace your steps back to the original starting point.
• Point-to-Point: This is where you start at one point and end at another point that is further away from your starting point. It is often called section hiking.
• Thru-Hike: This is when you start at the beginning of a trail and hike to the end of it. Most thru-hikes are on very lengthy trails.

It’s important to know the different types of trails for timing purposes, especially. This way, you won’t be caught out on the trail after dark because you know how long the trail will take based on point A to point B and back to point A.

Understanding Trail Mileage

The way most trail guides, apps, and trail descriptions are set up will give you the exact mileage you’ll be hiking versus the type of trail listed in the section right above this one. If it’s an out-and-back trail and it says it’s 12 miles, then it’s 6 miles there and 6 miles back. The mileage should be accurate based on the type of trail, but remember, a 20-mile point-to-point trail means 20 miles from start to finish, but that does not include hiking back to the start.

Different Types of Hiking User Activity Classifications

There are many different types of user activity classifications to know about. Not all hikes are alike and trail guides and apps might list different classifications. Knowing the difference is essential to your planning and safety.

• Day Hiking: Hiking is done during daylight hours in one day only.
• Backpacking: Hiking done multiple days where you camp and hike.
• Section Hiking: Hiking is done during the day or multiple days on a large section of the trail.
• Fastpacking & Trail Running: This is when you do day hikes or backpacking trips with the purpose of speed to get done quicker (mainly for fitness reasons).
• Thru-hiking is hiking the start and end of a full trail, usually for multiple days, weeks, or months.
• Urban Hiking: Hiking in urban areas like cities and towns.
• Mountain Hiking: Hiking in mountainous conditions, whether day or backpacking.
• Summit Hiking: Hiking to the summit of hills and mountain tops (elevation gaining).
• Scrambling: Hiking up rocks and technical climbs.
• Bushwhacking: Hiking without trails.
• Coastal Hiking: Hiking along coastlines, seashores, and lake boundaries.
• Winter Hiking: Hiking during the winter, usually in snow and ice conditions.
• Night Hiking: Hiking at night.
• Waterfall Hiking: Hiking for waterfalls.
• Creek Hiking: Hiking along creeks.
• Desert Hiking: Hiking in the desert.
• Long-distance Trekking is hiking that occurs on trails, roads, and any public access and usually happens across a country or the world.

Knowing different types of trails and their classifications can help you explore other forms of hiking, which might make you love the activity even more and find the activity of your dreams.

Final Thoughts About Different Types of Trails

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of trails, classifications, activities, and elevation ratings, it’s time for you to put your knowledge to work. The tips above will help keep you prepared for any sort of hiking.

Now, let’s hear from you: Tell me about a time when you read a trail description wrong, and it did not go as you planned.

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