Ramblers Grading System for Walks
Easy Access (EA)
Suitable for everyone, including conventional wheeelchairs and pushchairs. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Terrain. Good wide paths with flat, smooth and relatively hard surfaces. Absolute minimum of obstructions such as steps. All gates and barriers wheeelchair-accessible (no stiles), minimal gradients except over extremely short distances, with possibly a few steeper slopes if assistance is available to push wheelchairs.
Pace. Suitable for wheelchair users.
Facilities. Meeting point has sutiable car parking for people with wheelchairs, and/or accessible public transport and accessible toilets. Walks above 3kms/2miles must include an opportunity to leave the walk early.
Length. No longer than 8kms/5miles: longer walks that qualify for this category on all other counts should be graded leisurely.
Easy (E)
Suitable for anyone unless they have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem or are seriously unfit, and generally for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Terrain. Mostly along easy paths with good surfaces, perhaps with a few gentle climbs and no lenghty and sustained ascents. Minimum of obstructions, including stiles, and no long or difficult flights of steps.
Facilities. Walks above 3kms/2miles must include an opportunity to leave the walk early.
Pace. Slow
Length. No longer than 8kms/5miles: longer walks that qualify for this category on all other counts should be graded as leisurely.
Leisurely (L)
Suitable for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.
Terrain includes unsurfaced country paths that may be narrow, uneven, muddy or overgrown, and obstructions such as stiles, narrow bridges, stepping stones and steps. May be hilly, with a few ascents and descents. May also include walks that would otherwise be graded easy access or easy but are longer than 8kms/5miles.
Pace. Slow or moderate pace; could include otherwise easy walks taken at a moderate pace.
Moderate (M)
Suitable for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Terrain. As leisurely walks, but with some sustained climbs and perhaps some moderate walking on open hillsides or moorland in the warmer months.
Pace. Moderate pace; could include walks on leisurely terrain taken at a brisk pace.
Strenuous (S)
Suitable for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential. People in doubt about their fitness are advised to contact the organiser or leader in advance.
Terrain. Includes rough country and mountains, a few long or lots of short ascents and descents on rough paths and across open country.
Pace. Moderate or brisk pace; could include walks on moderate terrain taken at a brisk pace.
Technical (T)
Suitable for walkers with experience of walking in rough country, with additional technical skills and specialist equipment where appropriate. Walkers must contact the organiser or leader for further details.
Terrain. Rough country and mountains; may involve scrambling, ropes, ice axes or crampons. If there is a chance weather conditions will require ropes or other technical equipment to be used and these are carried as a precaution, the walk should be classed as technical whether they are used or not.