Trek Grades and Fitness Preparation

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So you have signed up for a summer adventure, now is the time you make sure you fit and ready in order to get maximum enjoyment out of your trek. The Tour du Mont Blanc andWalkers Haute Route are a great challenge and preparation is the key to achieving your goal.

All of the treks we offer are physically demanding you will be travelling over rugged and mountainous terrain with a sustained amount of ascent and descent on a daily basis. Make sure you are aware of the daily distances travelled and the height gain and descent so you know what to expect.

It’s a good idea to have a trial at packing your rucksack beforehand to maximize space, check the weight and get rid of any un-needed items! If you are not used to trekking with a heavier rucksack take it out with you when training during the months beforehand.

See our Packing List page for more information.

TREK GRADING

We grade our treks from 1 to 10 (1 being relatively easy and 10 being extremely hard), each trek receives a grade depending on the difficulty of terrain and numbers of days of sustained trekking.

To explain in more detail:

GRADE 3 RELAXED

Chamonix Valley Walks: General walking fitness on flat and easy terrain, no previous walking experience required. All the trails will be flat with no elevation or descent, walking distances can vary between 6- 14 kilometers depending on the route.

GRADE 4 VIGOROUS

Chamonix Middle Mountain Treks: A reasonable level of fitness is required for example; at home, you do regular exercise each week. During the day walks you will experience a degree of height gain and descent in addition to a distance of between 12-18 kilometers each day. Hill walking experience is advisable so you have knowledge of what it takes to walk in the mountains.

GRADE 5/6 TOUGH

Chamonix Iconic High Mountain Treks: These treks are tough and a good level of fitness needed before you arrive. The height gain and descent are in the region of + or – 800 meters per day without a break. The terrain is difficult at times with steep and rocky ascents & descents.

GRADE 7 CHALLENGING

Tour du Mont Blanc, Tour du Monte Rose and Tour of the Vanoise: These treks are challenging and a good level of fitness needed before you arrive. The height gain and descent are in the region of + or – 1200 meters per day without a break. The terrain is difficult at times with steep and rocky ascents & descents.

GRADE 8 STRENUOUS & DEMANDING

Walkers Haute Route: This is a strenuous and demanding trek that requires a high level of fitness and stamina for long mountain days. You need to have plenty of mountain walking experience and exercise on a regular basis. Each day the trek has continued and substantial height gain and decent of over + or -1500 m per day without a break. The terrain is difficult at times with steep and rocky ascents and descents.

GRADE 9/10 TECHNICAL & EXTREME

Traverse of the Gran Paradiso (AV2): This is the most physically demanding treks we offer and an excellent level of fitness is required for the type of terrain you will encounter on this trek and previous mountain trekking experience is essential. Each day the trek has continued and substantial height gain and decent of over + or -1500 m per day without a break. You will trek to an altitude of over 3000 meters and the terrain is remote, exposed and difficult at times with steep and rocky ascents and descents.