Sierra Club PRO

HIKE RATING SYSTEM

Elevation Change is inclusive of both ascent and descent.

The hike rating is based both upon linear distance and elevation change with 400 feet of elevation change considered equivalent to one linear mile. In determining the rating, each mile of linear distance contributes one point and every 400 feet of elevation change contributes one point.

In practice, this means that a seven mile circuit hike with 400 feet of ascent accumulates nine total points. Seven of these points derive from the mileage, and two from the elevation change - counting both 400 feet of ascent and 400 feet of descent. This hike would be rated B, consistent with the scale below.