These guidelines aim to give you a general idea of what to expect from your holiday in terms of daily distance and times of your walks or cycle rides. Of course, hiking and cycling times and distances vary according to the type of terrain and elevation changes. For example, a 10km easy hike may take 3h along a fairly flat route but a 10km moderate hike over steeper terrain may take 5-6h. It’s always a good idea to read both our suggested times and distances, when provided. Please remember that these are only guidelines. The whole idea of a self-guided holiday is that you do things at your own pace.
Walking grades
EASY: relaxed walks suitable for walkers with average levels of fitness and in general good health. These walks are typically on maintained trails or quiet roads and have good signage. Gradients are gentle with no steep uphill or downhill sections. No previous hiking experience is required and they are suitable for novices and different age groups. Walking is typically limited to 3-5h per day (up to 12km).
EASY/MODERATE: mostly easy but may include longer hikes on some days with some moderate uphill or downhill elevations. Generally, the walking routes are well maintained but may involve some rougher terrain and steeper or exposed sections on certain days. Walking is on average 4-6h per day (up to 15km).
MODERATE: suitable for more regular hikers who have a good level of fitness. Moderate itineraries include longer walking days with steeper and longer ascents and descents. Terrain may be mixed, including rocky areas. Walking is on average 5-7h per day (up to 20km).
MODERATE/STRENUOUS: suitable for regular hikers with a good level of fitness who are looking for more challenging hikes. These itineraries usually have extended steep ascents and descents. They may also include high mountain terrain which is rugged and rough underfoot, with some sections of scrambling. Moderate/strenuous itineraries have mostly moderate walks, but may include longer strenuous treks on some days. They might also include hut to hut walks which require carrying your own backpack along these more remote sections. Walking is on average 6-9h per day (up to 30km).
STRENUOUS: suitable for very experienced hikers with a high level of fitness. Navigation skills are also required. They include daily steep ascents and descents over rough and varied terrain in high mountain regions and may include some exposed areas, fixed ropes and scrambling. They often include hut to hut walks on some or all days and require carrying your own backpack in these more remote areas. Walking is on average 8-10h per day (30km+).
Cycling grades
EASY: relaxed cycling, ideal for beginners and families or groups of mixed ages and abilities. There is plenty of time to relax en route with short cycling days and not many uphills, the terrain being mostly flat. Cycling distance is typically up to 35km per day.
EASY/MODERATE: perfect for the occasional cyclist, the itinerary is mostly easy but may include longer moderate stretches on some days. Routes are generally on flat terrain with some occasional moderate uphill and downhill sections. Cycling distance is typically between 25 and 55km per day.
MODERATE: suitable for more regular cyclists who have a good level of fitness, with longer cycling days and steeper ascents and descents. Itineraries may include longer stretches of uphill climbs and descents, or a number of shorter uphill and downhill sections along the route. Cycling distance is typically between 45 and 75km per day.
MODERATE/STRENUOUS: suitable for very active cyclists with an excellent level of fitness looking for more challenging cycling adventures. Moderate/strenuous itineraries involve extended steep ascents and descents along the routes. Cycling distance is typically between 65 and 85km per day.
STRENUOUS: these are challenging itineraries, and are mostly road cycling tours. They are perfect for those with solid long-distance cycling experience over multiple days and who have an excellent level of fitness. Cycling distance is typically 85km+ per day.
Mixed grade
Please note that, on some holidays, we have several options in one day to choose from, meaning that you can shake up the difficulty levels a little. These are presented with a distinctive colour scheme – the example here shows a holiday that can be graded either as moderate or moderate/strenuous depending on the options chosen for each walking day.
