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ELEVATION GAIN

The elevation gain is an estimate of the sum of all the vertical gain segments along the total length of the route (includes both ways for out-and-back trips). It is often considerably more than the net difference in elevation between the high and low points of the hike. For one-way hikes, the gain and loss are reported separately, assuming that you follow the described direction of travel.

DIFFICULTY

This overall rating takes into account the length of the trip and the nature of the terrain. The following are general definitions of the four categories:

 Easy: Suitable for every member of the family.

 Moderate: Suitable for all physically fit people.

 Moderately strenuous: Long length, substantial elevation gain, and/or difficult terrain. Suitable for experienced hikers only.

 Strenuous: Full day’s hike (or overnight backpack) over a long and often difficult route. Suitable only for experienced hikers in excellent physical condition.

Each higher level represents more or less a doubling of the difficulty. On average, moderate trips are twice as hard as easy trips, moderately strenuous trips are twice as hard as moderate trips, and so on.