Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes
Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness
Stream and rivers crossings are bridged
Walking shoes required
Walking track
What to expect on a walking track:
Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required
Great walk/Easier tramping track
Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking
What to expect on a Great Walk/Easier tramping track:
Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy
Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required
Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged
Light tramping/hiking boots required
Tramping track
What to expect on a tramping track:
Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
Tramping/hiking boots required
Route
What to expect on a route:
Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep
Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
Complete self sufficiency required
Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required
Iceaxe and crampons maybe required at any time of the year
Hard Route
What to expect on a hard route:
Very challenging multi-day tramping/hiking
No tracks, very steep, could be prone to rockfalls
Suitable for people with very high levels of fitness.
High level backcountry, above the bushline (remote areas) skills and experience
Excellent backcountry above the bushline navigation and survival skills required
Complete self sufficiency required
No markers or poles, may have some rock cairns. Unbridged stream and river crossings
Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required
Iceaxe and crampons maybe required at any time of the year
Alpine climbing gear required from late Autumn thru to possibly late Spring (eg: ropes, snow anchors, harnesses etc)