Guide to the Grades

We adopt the Bushwalking NSW Guidelines for grading walks.


1 E
Grade 1 (Easy)
Easy walking, mostly on well signposted tracks. Tracks should be level. Distance is not to exceed 10 km.

2 EM
Grade 2 (Easy Medium)
Mostly on well marked tracks of low gradient. Tracks should not be steep. Distance is not to exceed 15 km.

3 M
Grade 3 (Medium)
Usually mostly on tracks, could be some steep sections, rougher terrain, could be off track. Distance is not to exceed 20kms. The walk is suitable for fit beginners.

3 MX
Grade 3 (Medium Exploratory)
Usually mostly on tracks, could be some steep sections, rougher terrain, could be off track. Distance is not to exceed 20kms. The walk is suitable for fit beginners. The leader has not covered the area before.

4 MH
Grade 4 (Medium Hard)
Off track (up to 25% of walk) or long distance track walk. Tracks could be steep; maybe some rock scrambling. These walks are suitable for people who have completed a few walks and want more.

4 MHX
Grade 4 (Medium Hard Exploratory)
Off track (up to 25% of walk) or long distance track walk. Tracks could be steep; maybe some rock scrambling. These walks are suitable for people who have completed a few walks and want more. The leader has not covered the area before.

5 H
Grade 5 (Hard)
Off track or difficult terrain, there may be rock scrambling, creek walking. Distance is not to exceed 30 km. The walk may be short and difficult. Not suitable for beginners.

5 HX
Grade 5 (Hard Exploratory)
Off track or difficult terrain, there may be rock scrambling, creek walking. Distance is not to exceed 30 km. The walk may be short and difficult. Not suitable for beginners. The leader has not covered the area before.

Grading canyons is challenging and often subjective as it depends on a number of varying factors, some or all of which may be present. The five key factors are listed below. Canyon leaders decide the grading of the canyon, taking into account such factors as:

  • Access. Includes the distance to and from the canyon, the type of terrain and the navigational challenges.
  • Duration. Is mainly determined by the number of abseils and the length of the canyon but is influenced by all the other factors.
  • Technical difficulty. Relates to the abseiling component as determined by set ups, starts, sharp edges, overhangs, slippery surfaces and exposure.
  • Hydrology. Refers to the amount and strength of the flow, the type of swimming or wading involved and the water temperature.
  • Volatility. Weather conditions such as floods or bushfires may have caused rock falls, blockages or obstacles that may require new anchors, additional abseils or alternate routes

Grade 1:
Easy
Grade 2:
Easy to Moderate
Grade 3:
Moderate
Grade 4:
Moderate to Difficult
Grade 5:
Difficult
Grade 6:
Very Difficult