How Tough Is The Walking And Trekking In The Sierra Nevada?

So, how tough is the walking and trekking in the Sierra Nevada?

There is tremendous scope here for those who prefer their mountains wild and dramatic. The guide describes routes of varying degrees of difficulty, from ‘easy’ half-day jaunts and day trips through to tough multi-day treks. There are also high mountain scrambles for the more adventurous.

The grading of walks is subjective but the following grades have been applied in an attempt to convey the character and overall difficulty of a walk to the reader. It should be noted that use of summer ski lifts or the park bus services to gain altitude will reduce the difficulty and given grade.

Leisurely

No experience necessary. Anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk should be able to manage these. Short walks (usually of 3–5 hours’ duration) on good, well-maintained paths or tracks at low altitude. No navigational difficulties.

Moderate

Those with hill-walking experience should be able to manage these routes. Good health and reasonable fitness required as there are some longer/harder days (with an average of 5–7 hours’ duration). Usually no extremes of altitude or ascent/descent and walking generally on good paths, but with some rocky terrain. Navigation fairly straightforward.

Challenging

Fitness is important on these routes and you may have to improve it before departure. Most treks involve extended walking in mountainous terrain, usually at significantly higher altitudes. Climate and remoteness can also play a part. Previous trekking experience is therefore desirable. Six to eight hours per day with occasional longer days on peaks or passes. Treks may include difficult terrain (including loose scree), high altitudes, occasional significant daily ascents and overnights in remote areas. Potential navigation difficulties in poor weather.

Tough

Tough treks in remote mountain landscapes, so stamina essential as walking days are long and hard. It is recommended that you have previous trekking experience – preferably at altitude – as well as complete confidence in your physical condition and self-reliance. Treks may involve difficult terrain (possibly with some scrambling sections), extremes of altitude and significant ascent/decent (a number of days feature over 1000m of ascent). Navigation difficult in poor conditions. Remote, wild environments with few facilities, perhaps for extended periods – be prepared to rough it!

Very tough

Treks include all the elements of the previous grade, but with extra difficulties such as tricky river crossings, very high or difficult passes, navigational problems or peaks that require basic climbing skills.