Guide for your excursions

Trail classifications

T - Tourist

Itineraries on small roads, mule tracks or wide paths, with short, clearly visible routes that do not pose uncertainties or orientation problems. They usually take place below 2000 meters. They require a certain knowledge of the mountain environment and physical preparation for walking.

E - Hiking

Itineraries that take place on all types of terrain, or on obvious traces of passage in varied terrain (pastures, debris, scree), usually with signs; there may be short flat or slightly inclined sections of residual snow where, in the event of a fall, the slide stops in a short space and without danger. They sometimes develop on open terrain, without paths but not problematic, always with adequate signs. They can take place on steep slopes, where however the exposed sections are generally protected or secured (cables). They may have single passages, or short sections on rock, not exposed, not tiring or demanding, thanks to the presence of equipment (ladders, rungs, cables) that do not require the use of specific equipment (harness, carabiners, etc.). They require a certain sense of direction, as well as a certain experience and knowledge of the Alpine environment, training in walking, as well as suitable footwear and equipment. They constitute the vast majority of hiking routes in the Italian mountains.

EE - Expert Hikers

These are itineraries that are generally marked but which imply an ability to move on particular terrains. Paths or tracks on impervious and treacherous terrain (steep and/or slippery slopes of grass, or mixed rocks and grass, or rocks and debris). Varied terrain, at relatively high altitudes (stone fields, short non-steep snowfields, open slopes without reference points, etc.). Rocky sections, with slight technical difficulties (equipped routes, via ferratas among those of lesser difficulty). However, routes on glaciers are excluded, even if flat and/or apparently without crevasses (because crossing them would require the use of a rope and ice axe, as well as knowledge of the related belay maneuvers. They require: general mountain experience and good knowledge of the Alpine environment; sure-footedness and no fear of heights; adequate equipment, gear and physical preparation. For equipped routes, it is also necessary to know how to use self-belay devices (carabiners, shock absorber, harness, cords).

EEA - Expert Hikers, with Equipment

This acronym is used for certain equipped routes or via ferratas, in order to warn the hiker that the itinerary requires the use of self-belay devices (harness, shock absorber, carabiners, cords) and personal protection equipment (helmet, gloves).

EEA - F (Easy via ferrata)

Equipped trail that is not very exposed and not very challenging with long stretches of walking. Route very protected, with good signs, where the metal structures are limited to the cable or chain fixed only to improve safety.

EEA - PD (ferrata Not Very Difficult)

Ferrata with a limited development and little exposure. The route is usually articulated with channels, chimneys and some short vertical sections, facilitated by fixtures such as chains, cables, rungs or even metal ladders.

EEA - D (ferrata Difficult)

Ferrata of a certain development that requires good physical preparation and good technique. The route is often vertical and in some cases also overcomes some short overhangs, very articulated, with long exposed sections; equipped with metal cables and/or chains, rungs and/or metal ladders.

EAI - Hiking in Snowy Environments

Itineraries in snowy environments that require the use of snowshoes, with clear and recognizable routes, with easy access routes, at the bottom of the valley or in non-impactful wooded areas or on open and little exposed ridges, with generally limited differences in altitude and difficulty that guarantee safe travel.

MTB route classification

TC - Tourist

Route on paved and dirt roads with a compact and smooth surface, suitable for carriages.

MC - for cycle excursionists with Medium Technical Capacity

Route on dirt roads with a slightly bumpy or slightly irregular surface (tratturi, cart tracks, etc. easily passable by an off-road vehicle but not by a common car) marked by grooves and/or depressions or with the presence of debris that does not penalize progression (but which induces you to change your trajectory to look for an easier passage). Route on paved mule tracks or paths with a compact and smooth surface, without significant obstacles (ruts, steps), where the only difficulty in driving is given by the presence of obligatory passages that require precision in driving.

BC - for cycle excursionists with Good Technical Ability

Route on stvery uneven trails or on mule tracks and paths with a rather uneven but fairly smooth surface or compact but irregular, with a significant presence of elementary obstacles, roots or not too high steps; in general, in addition to good handling and precision in driving in obligatory passages, a fair amount of balance is also required.

OC - for cycle excursionists with Excellent Technical Ability

Route on mule tracks and paths with a very uneven and/or very irregular surface, with a significant presence of obstacles, even unstable, or of composite obstacles and in rapid succession, which require great precision in driving, good balance and excellent driving skills at low speed, without however the need to apply trial techniques.

Source CAI (Italian Alpine Club)

Swiss classification of trails (also adopted in our areas)

T1 - Excursion

Well-marked trail; if marked according to FSS standards: yellow.

Flat or slightly inclined terrain, without the risk of exposed falls.

Can also be walked with trainers, easy orientation, can also be walked without a topographic map.

T2 - Mountain hike

Path with clear route and regular climbs. If marked according to FSS standards: white-red-white.

Sometimes steep terrain, risk of exposed falls not excluded.

Sure-footedness is required, trekking boots recommended, basic orientation skills.

T3 - Challenging mountain hike

As a rule, visible trail on the ground, exposed passages can be secured with ropes or chains, if necessary, use of hands for balance. If marked according to FSS standards: white-red-white.

Individual passages with risk of exposed falls, scree, grassy slopes without a trail with rocks.

Sure-footedness, good trekking boots, reasonable orientation skills, basic knowledge of the Alpine environment are required.

T4 - Alpine itinerary

Path not always identifiable, itinerary in parts without a track, sometimes you have to use your hands to progress. If marked according to FSS standards: white-blue-white.

Fairly exposed terrain, delicate grassy slopes, grassy slopes scattered with rocks, easy glaciers without snow.

Familiarity with exposed terrain, sturdy trekking boots, good orientation and terrain assessment skills, knowledge of the Alpine environment are required.

T5 - Challenging Alpine itinerary

Often without a track, individual easy climbing passages up to grade II. If marked according to FSS standards: white-blue-white.

Exposed and challenging terrain, steep grassy slopes scattered with rocks, glaciers and snowfields that are not very dangerous.

Mountain boots, excellent orientation and safety skills in assessing the terrain, good knowledge of the Alpine environment and basic knowledge of using an ice axe and rope are required.

T6 - Difficult Alpine route

Generally without tracks, climbing passages up to grade II. Usually not marked. Often very exposed terrain, very delicate grassy and rocky slopes, glaciers with risk of sliding.

Excellent orientation skills, excellent knowledge of the Alpine environment and familiarity with the use of technical mountaineering equipment are required.

Classification of MTB routes in Switzerland

S0 (Easy route):

Trails on beaten earth or paved mule tracks, with a smooth surface and without significant obstacles, suitable for everyone.

S1 (Intermediate route):

Trails with small obstacles such as roots, rocks and steps, which can be tackled without particular technical difficulties.

S2 (Medium difficulty route):

Trails with more pronounced obstacles, such as larger roots, stones, steps in sequence, which require careful guidance.

S3 (Technical Trail):

Trails with many technical passages, consisting of blocks of rock and/or roots, which require greater skill.

S4 and S5 (Very Technical Trails):

Trails with very challenging obstacles, which require advanced skill and control.

CAS Source (Swiss Alpine Club)