Rifugio Gianetti in Val Masino
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The CAI difficulty scale
What T, E and EE mean on our hike pages, with examples from the site.
In Italy the difficulty of a hike is given on the scale of the CAI, the Italian Alpine Club, which sorts paths into a few grades by the terrain and the experience they demand, not by how tiring they are: a grade T hike can take seven hours, and a grade EE hike can take two. To know how long or tiring a hike is you also need its time and ascent, which we always give next to the grade.
TTourist
Lanes, mule tracks or wide, well-marked paths, with no route-finding problems and no technical sections. There are 15 hikes of this grade on the site.
DolomitesRifugio Firenze and Seceda, a balcony on the OdlePerhaps the finest hike in the whole of the Dolomites, set between alpine pastures and vertical walls.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 880m
- Rating
- 10/10
SwitzerlandAletsch Glacier (Aletschgletscher)The most classic walk to the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 14km
- Ascent
- 460m
- Rating
- 10/10
DolomitesFrom the Alpe di Siusi to Rifugio Bolzano on the SciliarA stroll across the high plateaus of the Alpe di Siusi and the Sciliar, among the most famous in the Dolomites.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,000m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandLago di Saoseo and Lago Viola in the Val di CampoTwo gems of lakes in a valley dotted with alpine pastures. At its best between October and November.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 550m
- Rating
- 9/10
EHiking
Waymarked paths over varied ground, sometimes steep, across pastures, scree or boulder fields: you need boots, some fitness and a little sense of direction. There are 29 hikes of this grade on the site.
DolomitesThe Strada delle 52 Gallerie on the PasubioA visit to Rifugio Achille Papa and the Zona Sacra del Pasubio, by way of the spectacular Strada delle 52 Gallerie- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 17km
- Ascent
- 1,130m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesCima Brenta tour from Molveno (2 days)A two-day loop to discover the remarkable high balcony of the Brenta Dolomites.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 14:00h
- Distance
- 33km
- Ascent
- 2,390m
- Rating
- 9/10
PiedmontRifugio Valasco, Rifugio Questa and the military mule tracks of ValscuraIn the upper Valle Gesso: remarkable military roads, the crystal-clear lakes of Valscura and Claus, and two historic mountain huts.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandGlacier d'Orny and Cabane du TrientA walk to the imposing Glacier d'Orny, in the Mont Blanc massif- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 970m
- Rating
- 9/10
E+Demanding hiking
A grade E hike with some more tiring, steeper or exposed sections: this is not a grade of the official CAI scale, we use it for hikes halfway between E and EE. There are 2 hikes of this grade on the site.
SwitzerlandTo the Rochers de Naye, a balcony over Lake GenevaThe 2000-metre peak closest to Lake Geneva: half green plateau, half vertical rock pinnacle.- Grade
- E+
- Time
- 4:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 550m
- Rating
- 9/10
Aosta ValleyThe Monte Avic 10-lake loop (2 days)10 lakes, 3 mountain huts and a 3000-metre peak. A long 27km loop in the Monte Avic Natural Park, almost entirely in stern alpine terrain between 2000 and 3000 metres.- Grade
- E+
- Time
- 12:00h
- Distance
- 27km
- Ascent
- 1,710m
- Rating
- 8/10
E/EEBetween E and EE
Mostly a hiking route, with a few sections for experienced hikers: this too is our own intermediate grade, not part of the official scale. There is one hike of this grade on the site.
EEExperienced hikers
Paths on rough or unstable ground, steep slopes, exposed or rocky sections with easy scrambling: you need a sure foot and no fear of heights. There are 5 hikes of this grade on the site.
Lake ComoThe Via delle Creste Orientali on the ResegoneAn entertaining ridge path along the Dolomite-like towers of the Resegone.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 12km
- Ascent
- 920m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoThe protected path on Monte BarroA slightly more entertaining alternative to the normal ascent of Monte Barro.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 2:00h
- Distance
- 3.5km
- Ascent
- 310m
- Rating
- 7/10
Lake ComoVia del Fiume in Val d'EraA protected path among little waterfalls and pools, in a deep, narrow valley at the foot of the Grigne.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 12km
- Ascent
- 710m
- Rating
- 7/10
SwitzerlandCapanna del Forno and the Forno GlacierA long walk up the Valle del Forno, repaid with views worthy of Patagonia.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 8:00h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 7/10
B/CVia ferrata, grade B/C
A via ferrata of medium difficulty on the via ferrata scale: you need a harness, a via ferrata set with energy absorber and a helmet, and the experience to use them. There is one hike of this grade on the site.
