Walking track grading system
The Australian Walking Track Grading System assesses a walk’s difficulty based on several criteria, including:
- experience required
- steps, gradient
- path quality
- signage.
There are five grades in total:
Grade 1
![Advisory_Walking_Level_1_RGB-1024x1024](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/services/public-health-amp-safety/advisory_walking_level_1_rgb-1024x1024.jpg?w=1024&h=1024)
Distance |
Complete walk in X km |
Gradient |
Flat |
Quality of path |
Well formed track |
Quality of markings |
Clearly sign posted |
Experience required |
None |
Time |
High and low estimate of time needed to complete track (eg. 1.5-2 hours) |
Steps |
No steps (accessible) |
Grade 2
![Advisory_Walking_Level_2_RGB-1024x1024](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/services/public-health-amp-safety/advisory_walking_level_2_rgb-1024x1024.jpg?w=1024&h=1024)
Distance |
Complete walk in XX km |
Gradient |
Gentle hills |
Quality of path |
Formed track |
Quality of markings |
Clearly sign posted |
Experience required |
None |
Time |
High and low estimate of time needed to complete track (eg. 1.5-2 hours) |
Steps |
Occasional steps |
Grade 3
![Advisory_Walking_Level_3_RGB-1024x1024](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/services/public-health-amp-safety/advisory_walking_level_3_rgb-1024x1024.jpg?w=1024&h=1024)
Distance |
Complete walk in XX km |
Gradient |
Short steep hills |
Quality of path |
Formed track, some obstacles |
Quality of markings |
Sign posted |
Experience required |
Some bushwalking experience required |
Time |
Time needed to complete track (hours/days) |
Steps |
Many steps |
Grade 4
![Advisory_Walking_Level_4_RGB-1024x1024](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/services/public-health-amp-safety/advisory_walking_level_4_rgb-1024x1024.jpg?w=1024&h=1024)
Distance |
Complete walk in XX km |
Gradient |
Very steep |
Quality of path |
Rough track, many obstacles |
Quality of markings |
Limited signage |
Experience required |
Experienced bushwalkers |
Time |
Time needed to complete track (hours/days) |
Steps |
NA |
Grade 5
![Advisory_Walking_Level_5_RGB-1024x1024](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/services/public-health-amp-safety/advisory_walking_level_5_rgb-1024x1024.jpg?w=1024&h=1024)
Distance |
Complete walk in XX km |
Gradient |
Very steep and difficult |
Quality of path |
Rough unformed track |
Quality of markings |
No directional signage |
Experience required |
Very experienced bushwalkers |
Time |
Time needed to complete track (hours/days) |
Steps |
NA |