Arizona Adventurer’s Hike Rating System

This is how I rate hiking trails. It may differ from other ratings you’ve seen, but it seems to work for me and you can keep it in mind as you’re reading posts on trails. I also use my ten-year-old daughter as a gauge. She is NOT the world’s best hiking, but is in fairly good shape.

I rate each trail for its technical elements, elevation gain, length and scariness factor. I will also put a + or – on some trails if they are between ratings. Each trail should have specifics on why it’s rated as such.

Trail Ratings: (rated 1 through 5):
1 = Easy. This is a wide, dedicated hiking path (paved or hard packed dirt) without any significant obstacles or hills, is relatively short and not scary. My ten-year-old daughter can do this without any problems. Example: smooth dirt paths around parks and easy trails less than a mile long.

2 = Beginner. A fairly wide dirt trail with small obstacles (ruts, small rocks, tree roots). It can contain some hills and can be up to about four miles long. It does not contain any scary portions. My ten-year-old daughter hikes these without breaking a sweat or complaining. Example: Catalina State Park’s Canyon Loop Trail.

3 = Medium. A trail that may can have difficult hiking surface (rocks, creek crossings, etc.) Hills can be steep and elevation gain considerable (hikers not in the best of shape may need frequent rests). A few “scary” spots where you hike near a cliff edge may be encountered. My ten-year-old will do considerable complaining about the steep hills, length and may be scared in a few sections. Examples: Romero Pools trail.

4 = Difficult. A long trail with steep grades. Hiking experience is required. May include scary areas which will bother people who are afraid of heights. My ten-year-old doesn’t hike these. Most of these are beyond my limit. Examples: Coming soon.

5 = Very difficult. Insane hiking. Bushwhacking may be required. Long hikes, steep grades, cliffs, etc. I don’t do these trails. Examples: Coming soon.