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SAC-CAS difficulties scale


This scale was created by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC-CAS) to classify the difficulties of hiking in the mountains and is widely used in Switzerland.
For each hike the difficulties are related to the path made. In some cases these values ​​are "official", but in most cases are values estimated by me.
I do not take any responsibility in case of wrong evaluation.



Level Trail - Terrain Requirements Examples
T1 - Hiking Well traced path. If marked, according to the rules SWW: yellow. Flat terrain or slightly sloped, without danger of falls. None, even with sport shoes. Easy orientation, walking even without a map. Strada Alta Leventina.
Normal ways to huts: Pairolo, Cadagno, Dötra, Adula CAS (from Val di Carassino).
T2 - Mountain hiking Trail with obvious path and regular ascents. If marked, according to the rules SWW: white-red-white. Terrain sometimes steep, danger of exposed falls not excluded. Safe step, hiking shoes recommended. Basic skills of orientation. Normal ways to huts: Cristallina, Piansecco, Alzasca (from Cevio).
Rifugio Al Legn, Monte Boglia, Matro.
Traversata del Passo Campolungo.
T3 - Demanding mountain hiking Path not necessarily visible, exposed passages can be secured with ropes or chains, eventually the use of the hands is required for balance. If marked, according to the rules SWW: white-red-white. Single passages with danger of exposed falls, stony ground, grassy slopes without trace and strewn with rocks. A very safe step, good hiking shoes. Discreet skills of orientation. Basic alpine experience. Pizzo Centrale from Gotthard Pass.
Pizzo di Vogorno from capanna Borgna.
Pizzo di Claro from Lago di Canee.
Passo Laghetto from capanna Quarnei.
Gridone from capanna Al Legn.
Capanna Ribia, Rifugio Tomeo.
Pizzo Ruscada from Monti di Comino.
T4 - Alpine hiking Trail not always visible, sometimes the use of hands is required for advancing. If marked, according to the rules SWW: white-blue-white. Terrain quite exposed, precarious grassy slopes, grassy slopes strewn with rocks, easy snow-free glaciers. Familiarity with exposed terrain, solid trekking boots. Good skills of orientation and ability for terrain assessment. Alpine experience Cima dell'Uomo from capanna Albagno.
Normal way to Sassariente.
Piz Terri from capanna Motterascio.
Passo del Piatto from capanna Cognora.
Cristallina from capanna Cristallina.
Pizzo Cassinello from capanna Scaradra.
Passo del Ghiacciaione.
Traversata Capanna Cava - Capanna Brogoldone.
Tamier Pass.
Sentiero Alpino della Calanca.
T5 - Demanding alpine hiking Often without trace, single easy climbing sections up to the II grade. If marked, according to the rules SWW: white-blue-white. Exposed and demanding terrain, steep grassy slopes strewn with rocks, glaciers and snowfields little dangerous. Mountain boots. Very good skills of orientation and reliable assessment of terrain. Good alpine experience and basic knowledge of the use of ice axe and rope. Pizzo Campo Tencia from capanna Campo Tencia.
Torent Basso from Passo del Mauro.
Sasso Grande (Denti della Vecchia).
Pizzo di Claro from the south face ("via Lumino").
T6 - Difficult alpine hiking Generally without trace, climbing sections up to the II grade. Normally not marked. Terrain often very exposed, very precarious grassy and rocky slopes, glaciers with risk of slipping. Excellent skills of orientation. Excellent alpine experience and confidence in the use of technical alpine equipment. Via Alta della Verzasca (Stages Borgna-Cornavosa and Efra-Cognora).
Corona di Redorta from the north face.