Trekking Difficulty Guide. What’s Your Level?
- Altura Expeditions
- May 6
- 4 min read
When you venture into the mountains, not all routes are the same. From easy paths to technical and exposed terrain, each journey has its own level of difficulty. To classify these grades, the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) established a trekking scale ranging from T1 (easy) to T6 (extreme).
If you’re planning a trip like the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Huayhuash Circuit in Peru, or treks in the Alps and the Himalayas, this guide will help you understand what to expect at each level and prepare accordingly.
📅 We have available dates for Everest Base Camp from March-May / October-November 2025/2026. Book your spot here 👉
T1 – Hiking (Easy)
🌄 How is the terrain?
Well-marked trails with wide, firm paths, no steep inclines or fall risks. No special skills required, and orientation is simple.
🏃♂️ What experience level is needed?
None. Anyone in normal physical condition can do this type of trekking with no problem.
🎒 Recommended equipment:
Comfortable footwear (sports shoes are fine), light clothing, and a small backpack with water and snacks.
🌎 Examples of routes:
Walks in national parks and nature reserves.
Trails in valleys and hills with little incline.
Tourist routes like the Cares Trail in Asturias or Fitz Roy Trail in El Chaltén (lower zone).
👉 Ideal for beginners or those looking for a pleasant hike with no great demands.
T2 – Mountain Hiking (Medium)
🌄 How is the terrain?
Narrower trails with some rocky or uneven sections. There may be steep ascents, but no technical steps. Some points may require attention to orientation.
🏃♂️ What experience level is needed?
Some experience in mountain hiking. It’s advisable to be in good physical condition to handle moderate elevation changes.
🎒 Recommended equipment:
Trekking boots with good soles, optional trekking poles, and suitable mountain clothing.
🌎 Examples of routes:
Pre-alpine trails in Europe.
Trekking to Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy, Argentina).
Some sections of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
👉 Perfect for those who have done hiking and want something more challenging without reaching high mountain levels.
T3 – Alpine Hiking (Challenging)
🌄 How is the terrain?
Rougher terrain with loose rocks and steep inclines. Exposed steps (with fall risks) may appear, and sometimes using hands for support on short ascents is required. Signage may be sparse, so good orientation is important.
🏃♂️ What experience level is needed?
Prior mountain trekking experience, good physical condition, and confidence in steep, rough terrain.
🎒 Recommended equipment:
Durable trekking boots, poles, windbreaker, and thermal clothing.
🌎 Examples of routes:
Everest Base Camp Trek (Nepal) – This trek is typically considered T2/T3, with the T3 difficulty linked to altitude.
W Circuit in Torres del Paine (Chile).
Some routes in the Pyrenees and the Andes.
👉 The real challenge begins here. It requires preparation but is accessible for those who’ve done medium-level treks.
T4 – Difficult Alpine Hiking
🌄 How is the terrain?
Poorly marked trails with exposed steps where a fall could be dangerous. There may be sections with snow or areas where you need to use your hands to climb rocks. Orientation is crucial as signs may be minimal or nonexistent.
🏃♂️ What experience level is needed?
Good mountain experience, confidence in difficult terrain, and basic orientation skills.
🎒 Recommended equipment:
High-quality mountain boots, helmet (depending on the route), trekking poles, and gear for snowy sections.
🌎 Examples of routes:
Cho La Pass in the Himalayas (Everest Three Passes Trek, Nepal).
Huayhuash Trek (Peru).
Some routes in the Dolomites (Italy).
👉 For experienced hikers looking for a more technical and challenging adventure.
T5 – Very Difficult Alpine Hiking
🌄 How is the terrain?
High-mountain routes with easy climbing sections, glacier crossings, and exposed steps. Orientation is tricky, and there may be objective risks like rock or ice falls.
🏃♂️ What experience level is needed?
Mastery of mountain techniques, excellent physical condition, and knowledge of safety in alpine terrain.
🎒 Recommended equipment:
Rope, helmet, crampons, ice axe, and harness, depending on the terrain.
🌎 Examples of routes:
K2 Base Camp Trek (Pakistan).
High mountain routes in the Alps (Mont Blanc, Matterhorn).
Ascending Cotopaxi Volcano (Ecuador).
👉 This is where technical mountaineering begins. Not suitable for hikers without high-mountain experience.
T6 – Extreme Hiking
🌄 How is the terrain?
Extremely technical terrain with climbing steps and very high exposures. It may include glacier crossings, snow cornice sections, or rock climbing routes.
🏃♂️ What experience level is needed?
Mountaineers with extensive knowledge in alpinism, rope use, and glacier rescue.
🎒 Recommended equipment:
Ice and rock climbing gear, rope, harness, technical ice axe, crampons, GPS, and safety equipment.
🌎 Examples of routes:
Denali ascent (Alaska).
Expeditions in the Karakoram or the Himalayas (Everest, Lhotse, K2).
Glacier crossings in Patagonia or Greenland.
👉 For expert mountaineers with training in high mountain and extreme expeditions.
What’s the ideal level for your next expedition?
If you’re looking for routes like the Everest Base Camp Trek, a combination of T2 and T3, you’ll need good physical condition and some experience. If you prefer more technical adventures, T4 to T6 routes in the Pyrenees, Alps, or Himalayas might be your next challenge.
📅 We have available dates for Everest Base Camp from March-May / October-November 2025/2026. Book your spot here 👉
If you have any questions or need more details about the expedition, feel free to write to us at info@alturaexpeditions.com or contact us at +34 684 79 41 56, y te asesoramos en todo el proceso.
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