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Hiking Scale (SAC)
Hikers, tour hikers and climbers probably know the coloured markings, that can always be seen on paths and routes in the mountains. These are estimates about the level of difficulty of the path or route.
The classification of the respective levels go back to the SAC scale, which was developed in 2002 by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC).
LEVEL | PATH | TERRAIN | REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
T4 - Alpine walking | Path not necessarily available. Sometimes need to use hands to keep going. | Mostly exposed. Tricky grass heaps, rocky slopes, simple firn fields and snow covered glacier passages. | Familiarity in exposed terrain. Stable trekking shoes. Terrain assessment and good navigation skills. Alpine experience. |
T3 - Challenging mountain hiking | A footpath is usually available. Exposed places mostly secured with ropes or chains. | Partially exposed areas with danger of falling, gravel plains, pathless steep terrain. | Good steady footing Good trekking shoes. Average navigation skills. Basic Alpine experience. |
T2 - Mountain hiking | Continuous route and passage marking. | Steep in parts. Danger of falling not excluded. | Some steady footing Trekking shoes recommended. Basic navigation skills. |
T1 - Hiking | Well developed, signposted and marked. Somewhat exposed places very well secured. | Flat or slightly inclined. No danger of falling with appropriate behaviour. | No steady footing necessary. Can be walked in trainers. Navigation without a map possible. |
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