Help page showing Arc Guiding hiking difficulty levels.
Our guided walks in Scotland cover a range of ability. We use the following difficulty levels to describe hiking activities, all of which are within the remit of the UK Mountain Leader qualification (see MTA for details). Levels are a great way to help you understand the relative difficulty of a particular route.
Hiking levels and walks
Below is a list of our hiking difficulty levels. Distances and rucksack weights are just a guide. If you’re not sure of your level, get in touch to discuss your concerns. Remember, private bookings offer the maximum flexibility in terms of our route and pace during the day.
Click a button to see details and related trips.
(Novices are on level, well-marked, short trails).
(Beginners take slightly rougher, steeper tracks with tricky sections).
(Intermediates can handle all-day hikes on varied terrain).
(Advanced hikers have many years of varied experience).
From the blog:
Whatever your ability level, check out the post Hiking Essentials for a summary of key skills. These include routefinding, walking on different kinds of terrain and emergency procedures. For some of the best hiking in the world, check out our guide: Hiking in Scotland, an ancient land of challenge and stories. Here you can climb ‘munros’, enjoy varied mountain scenery, beautiful beaches, special interest walks, ancient forests and more.
Different regions have different rules on hiking trails. Scotland’s ‘Right to Roam’ encourages responsible hiking. That means following hiking trails where available, and keeping damage/disturbance to a minimum.
It should be fine as long as we plan a hiking route at the right level of difficulty. I always encourage clients to be honest and share any concerns about their abilty.
