Easy01
Straightforward walking
Clear ground, little technical difficulty and little exposure. A route can still be long, wet or tiring.
FOR EXAMPLECill Chuimín Bog Walk11.43 km · ↗ 239 m · high point 328 mSLÍ KERRY GRADING
Know what the grade means.
Each grade considers the whole walking day, not distance alone. It describes the route in reasonable, non-winter conditions and never replaces your own judgement.
THREE CLEAR LEVELS
A starting point for your plan.
Moderate02
Hillwalking experience helps
More sustained effort, rougher ground, less obvious navigation or some exposure and remoteness. Confident movement on open hills is useful.
FOR EXAMPLECruach Scéirde9.33 km · ↗ 413 m · high point 667 mHard03
For experienced hikers
Steep, loose, exposed or remote mountain terrain, sustained ascent, navigation where a mistake matters, or a combination of these.
FOR EXAMPLEDoire Mhór Glen Loop10.13 km · ↗ 837 m · high point 827 mHOW IT IS JUDGED
The most serious factor matters.
The grade is not an average. One significant feature can set the level for the whole route. A short exposed scramble may be Hard, while a longer walk on clear, low-level paths may remain Easy.
01EffortDistance, ascent, duration and how sustained the day is.
02TerrainSurface, steepness, roughness and technical movement.
03NavigationPath clarity, route complexity and the effect of poor visibility.
04ExposureDrops, remoteness, retreat options and the consequence of an error.
A grade is not a safety guarantee.
Wind, rain, cloud, heat, ice and water levels can make any route more serious. Check the route forecast, Met Éireann warnings, daylight and local access before setting out. Recorded time is not planning time.
CURRENT COLLECTION