How are the walks graded ?

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Easier walks, mostly on well defined paths, with no special difficulties.

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Slightly harder walks. Paths may be indistinct, navigation skills required.

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Moderate hillwalks. Terrain will be steep, map reading skills essential. This grade includes the most straightforward and popular Munros.

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Harder hillwalks. Can include longer walks and pathless sections calling for more careful navigation. There may be scree and minor scrambling. This grade is quite broad and includes the bulk of the Munros.

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Tough by hillwalking standards; these routes can be very arduous or include trickier scrambling. This grade includes the hardest or most strenuous Munros.

Visit our safety and skills section, provided in association with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, for information on the skills you will need to complete the routes above Grade 1 in safety.

The grades are all based on the assumption the route can be completed in reasonable weather conditions. For example low cloud increases the difficulty of navigation - map reading and compass skills are essential. Heavy rain can cause rivers and streams to become too deep or dangerous to cross. Under ice and/or snow any hill or wild country routes should be attempted only by walkers with an ice-axe, crampons, and the skills necessary to use them. High winds may make some ridges and mountain areas dangerous. Thunder storms put walkers at risk especially on high land. Finally remember combinations of adverse weather increase the risks substantially. It is assumed that map, compass and suitable clothing will be taken on all walks above grade 1.