Find Your Hiking Level

Your trail map for wellness, adventure, and growth.

🎉 Celebrating Your Hiking Journey 🎉

Every step you take on the trail is a step toward growth, confidence, and connection with nature, with community, and with yourself. Whether you’re just beginning your hiking adventure or already tackling steep climbs, each level represents progress worth celebrating.
That’s why we created the Hiking Level Guide: a supportive way to recognize how far you’ve come, help you choose hikes that fit your pace, and inspire you to keep reaching for new summits. Think of it as your trail map for both wellness and adventure—designed to honor your journey, encourage mindful movement, and remind you that every milestone matters.

🌿 Why Our Hiking Levels Are Different

Most hiking guides break trails into just three or four categories—easy, moderate, and hard. But if you’ve ever stood at the trailhead wondering whether “moderate” means a gentle stroll or a lung-burning climb, you know how unhelpful that can be.
After more than a decade of hiking weekly, I created this Hiking Levels system to give you a clearer, more accurate way to understand trail difficulty levels. By expanding beyond the usual 3–4 steps, these levels help you:
  • Choose the right hike for your ability without guessing at vague labels.
  • Build trail confidence step by step, knowing exactly what to expect.
  • Stay safe and prepared with realistic guidance on effort, terrain, and readiness.
Our hiking level guide is a tool designed to support your growth, celebrate your progress, and make sure every hike feels rewarding.
So, lace up your boots, bring your pup if you’d like, and let’s explore where you are today—and where the trail can take you next. 🌲🐾

🌱 Level 1: Trail Explorer

🎖️ Badge: “First Steps”
Enjoy nature walks already. New to hiking or returning after a long break.
👉 Focus: Building confidence, learning basics, and enjoying short, easy trails.
Two sub-levels in this category:
Level 1-A: Just starting out at this level; gaining consistency on easy trails.
Hikers: Carol & Kim
Level 1-B: More confident and steady; ready to progress toward longer walks, adding gentle hills.
Hikers: Chris, Gladys, James, Joyce & Stephanie

🧭 Level 2: Pathfinder

🎖️ Badge: “Path Unlocked”
Comfortable on easy trails and starting to explore longer distances, small hills, or rocky terrain.
👉 Focus: Expanding endurance, handling gentle hills, and navigating trails with ease.
Two sub-levels in this category:
Level 2-A: Just starting out at this level; gaining consistency on moderate trails.
Hikers: DeB, Ed, Eric, Jim, LaDonna, Lisa & Luann
Level 2-B: More confident and steady; ready to push toward the next stage.
Hikers: Matt W, Nancy, Robert S & Victoria

🥾 Level 3: Trail Scout

🎖️ Badge: “Hill Climber”
Can handle elevation, 4-6 miles, and varied terrain. Building consistency, stamina, and skill;
👉 Focus: Increasing mileage, managing moderate elevation, and pacing yourself.
Two sub-levels in this category:
Level 3-A: Just starting out at this level; gaining consistency on moderate trails.
Hikers: Cindy, Jan, Leigh, Maureen, Robert C, Rick & Sandy E
Level 3-B: More confident and steady here; ready to push toward the next stage.
Hikers: Annette, Mark & Yue

🏃‍♂️ Level 4: Ascent Adept

🎖️ Badge: “Elevation Explorer”
Taking on longer and steeper hikes, with stronger pacing and trail awareness. Start introducing mid-level high-altitude hikes; Two sub-levels in this category
👉 Focus: Developing endurance for sustained elevation, refining trail skills, and boosting consistency.
Two sub-levels in this category:
Level 4-A: Early in the stage, building strength on longer climbs.
Hikers: Dean
Level 4-B: More advanced; comfortable with bigger climbs and preparing for high-altitude hikes.
Hikers: David, Echo & Jessica

⛰ Level 5: Summit Seeker

🎖️ Badge: “Challenge Accepted”
Testing endurance on steeper trails, longer distances, and higher elevations. Building strength for altitude and bigger adventures ahead.
👉 Focus: Pushing limits, preparing for altitude, and building resilience for more demanding trails.
Two sub-levels in this category:
Level 5-A: Early in the stage, building strength on longer climbs.
Hikers: Dan & Janet
Level 5-B: More advanced; comfortable with bigger climbs and preparing for high-altitude hikes.
Hikers: Jennifer & Margaret

🚩 Level 6: Peakbagger

🎖️ Badge: “Peak Pursuer”
(Intro-to-Difficult / Coaching Only) Confidently taking on the tough trails—Challenging to Difficult. Skilled, trained, and ready for high-altitude summits and peak pursuits.
👉 Focus: Pushing limits, conquering summits, and confidently handling high-altitude conditions.

🌄 Level 7: Trail Legend

🎖️ Badge: “Mountaineer”
(Difficult / Coaching Only) You’ve reached the pinnacle of the journey—ready to take on the most challenging adventures. With dedication, preparation, and guidance, these hikes open the door to breathtaking high-altitude summits and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
👉 Focus: Mastering endurance, navigation, and mindset while embracing the joy of peak adventures.