Grade & Terrain – Grading for Hiking and Adventure Trips in Norway
Norway’s grading system for hiking is based on four difficulty levels used both nationally and internationally: green, blue, red and black. The trail grading colours and the difficulty levels they correspond to, are as follow:
Easy – Green grading
Suitable for:
Hiking trails with green gradation are suitable for beginners and requires no special skills or equipment. Mainly short walks.
Type of path and terrain:
Tarmac, gravel, forest roads and good paths. Work done on paths to enable easy walking. Firm, even and obstruction-free path. No streams to be crossed.
Altitude metres, maximum trip length:
Elevation difference: less than 300 metres. Max length: 5 km.
Degree of elevation and exposure:
Moderate ascents, but no steep or difficult sections.
Medium – Blue grading
Suitable for:
Beginners and walkers of average fitness. For hikers with basic hiking and outdoor skills.
Type of path and terrain:
Similar to green trails, but can have more challenging sections. Can be rocky but no demanding scree. No streams to be crossed.
Altitude metres, maximum trip length:
Elevation difference: less than 600 metres. Max length: 10 km.
Degree of elevation and exposure:
Most ascents are moderate, but can include some steep slopes. Certain sections can be considered precipitous for some.
Challenging – Red grading
Suitable for:
For experienced hikers in good physical shape and condition. These hikes require appropriate hiking equipment.
Type of path and terrain:
Path, open terrain, rocky, scree and rugged mountains. Crossing streams, traversing steep slopes and long stretches of both loose rock and marshland. Up to two streams to be crossed.
Altitude metres, maximum trip length:
Elevation difference: less than 1000 metres. Max length: 20 km.
Degree of elevation and exposure:
Several types of ascents and challenges. Several precipitous and exposed sections. Can include technical challenges and parts that require some climbing.
Expert – Black grading
Suitable for:
Hikes suitable for experienced mountaineers with good stamina. Hikers must be in good physical shape and condition. Good equipment and hiking boots required.
Type of path and terrain:
Longer and more technical trails than “red”. Can include a number of streams to be crossed.
Altitude metres, maximum trip length:
No maximum. See description for the specific trip.
Degree of elevation and exposure:
Typical walks are long summit trips with steep ascents on uneven paths. Can have precipitous and exposed sections where scrambling and climbing is necessary. Narrow ridges, smooth rock, scree etc.