How Is the Hiking Grade Determined?

How Do We Determine the Hiking Grade?

How is the hiking grade determined for a Canary-Hiking hiking holiday? Not every hiking holiday is the same. One route may be relatively flat and relaxed. Another may involve significant ascents and descents on several consecutive days. That is why we look at several factors when determining the hiking grade of a hiking holiday.

Distance per Hiking Day

First of all, the number of kilometres is an important factor. A 10-kilometre walk feels different from a 20-kilometre walk, especially when there is a lot of climbing and descending along the way. Therefore, we indicate the distance for each stage of every hiking holiday. This allows you to see approximately how many kilometres you will walk each day.

Elevation Gain and Loss

Elevation changes play an important role in the Canary Islands. A relatively short walk can be quite demanding when there is a lot of climbing or descending. That is why we look at both the number of metres you climb and the amount of descent. In particular, longer descents can put considerable strain on your legs. This is true even if you are used to walking long distances.

The Terrain

The surface you walk on also affects how demanding a route feels. In the Canary Islands, you will encounter different types of terrain, including paved paths, sand, lava trails, rocky surfaces and narrow mountain paths. As a result, a route with relatively few kilometres can still be demanding. It may require more effort than a longer walk on an easy path.

Several Hiking Days in a Row

For a multi-day hiking holiday, we do not only look at each stage individually. The combination of several hiking days in a row is also important. A 15-kilometre hike may be perfectly manageable. But walking another 15 or 20 kilometres the following day puts more strain on your body. Therefore, we also consider the structure of the stages and the rest periods when planning our hiking holidays.

How Do I Know If a Hiking Holiday Is Suitable for Me?

For every hiking holiday, we clearly indicate the hiking grade you can expect. You can also check the distances and elevation changes for each day. Do not only look at the longest walk. The combination of distance, elevation gain and loss, and the number of consecutive hiking days is at least as important. If you have little experience with multi-day hiking, start with a hiking holiday with shorter stages. Choose a route with limited elevation changes. If you are used to regularly walking longer distances and routes with elevation changes, the more demanding treks on the mountainous islands may also be interesting for you.

Fitness Is More Important Than Speed

You do not need to be a fast walker for a hiking holiday. A good walking pace is one that you can maintain comfortably for several hours. Especially on routes with significant elevation changes, it is important to start at a steady pace and manage your energy well. Take enough breaks and take the conditions on the day into account.

Our Practical Tip

When choosing a hiking holiday, always look at the complete itinerary. The combination of distance, elevation gain and loss, terrain and the number of hiking days tells you much more about how demanding a trip is than the number of kilometres alone. Are you unsure which of two hiking holidays is right for you? We are happy to help you decide which trip best matches your hiking experience and fitness level.