# How do you choose a hiking trail you'll actually enjoy? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/choosing-a-hiking-trail/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-14 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* Choose by more than distance: look at the total climb, the type of terrain and the trail's difficulty grade, then add the things that make a hike memorable, such as a view, a lake, a hut or a village at the end. Pick something comfortably within your group's ability, check the weather, and decide in advance on a turnaround time so the day stays a pleasure. The best hike is not the hardest one you could survive. It is the one that leaves you sunburnt, slightly tired and already planning the next. Choosing it well is a skill, and it starts with reading trail descriptions a little more cleverly than "twelve kilometres, that sounds fine". ## Distance is only half the story Twelve kilometres along a flat lakeshore is a gentle afternoon. Twelve kilometres with a thousand metres of climbing over loose rock is a serious day. Look at three numbers together: - **Distance**, out and back or as a loop. - **Total ascent**, the sum of all the climbing. This usually matters more than distance for how hard a hike feels. - **Estimated time**, if the guide or signpost gives one. Treat it as a guide for a fit walker in good conditions, and add time for breaks, photos and a group. If you are new to hiking, start with something that has modest climbing and comes back to the start or to transport easily. Our page on [walking uphill](https://zestasy.com/wiki/walking-uphill/) helps with the climbs. ## Read the difficulty grade Many countries and regions grade trails. In Italy, the Club Alpino Italiano uses a national [scale of hiking difficulty](https://mappe.regione.vda.it/MOBILE/Sentieri/documenti/scala_difficolta_esc_CAI.pdf), based on height gain, distance and waymarking: - **T (turistico):** clear paths, tracks and mule trails with no route-finding problems, generally below 2,000 metres, often leading to pastures or huts. - **E (escursionistico):** mostly on paths or tracks over varied ground such as pasture or scree, usually waymarked; it can include steep sections protected with cables or railings, and calls for some sense of direction, experience and suitable footwear. - **EE (per escursionisti esperti):** for experienced hikers, on difficult or slippery ground, sometimes with light technical difficulties; it asks for a sure foot and no fear of heights. - **EEA:** routes with fixed equipment or via ferrata that require harness, lanyard kit and helmet. The CAI itself points out that difficulty is partly personal, because everyone experiences effort differently. Start with T and E routes and see how they feel. ## Know the terrain Ask what is underfoot. Forest paths, gravel tracks, rocky scree, exposed ridges and snowfields are all very different walks, even at the same distance and climb. Exposure, meaning a drop beside the path, is the thing many people find hardest, so look for words like "exposed", "airy" or "aided" in the description. Footwear matters too; see [boots or trail shoes](https://zestasy.com/wiki/boots-or-trail-shoes/). ## Choose the reward Enjoyment is the point, so pick a trail with something to look forward to: - A lake to dip your feet in. - A summit or pass with a view. - A mountain hut with a terrace and a plate of polenta. Our page on [what a rifugio is](https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-a-rifugio/) explains the Italian version. - A village with a bar and a bus back. - A waterfall, a chapel, a ridge at sunset, a meadow in flower. A hike with a reward halfway and another at the end almost always feels shorter. ## Plan a turnaround Decide before you start at what time you will turn back, even if you have not reached the top. This takes the pressure off decisions on the trail, which is where tired people make poor ones. Mountains and hills do not move, and you can come back another day. ## Check the day itself The UK's AdventureSmart campaign suggests [three questions before any outing](https://www.adventuresmart.co.uk/): do you have the knowledge and skills for the day, do you know what the weather will be like, and do you have the right gear. Mountain Rescue England and Wales also advises always carrying a [head torch and keeping phone battery for emergencies](https://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/2023/10/mountain-safety-advice-as-the-days-get-shorter/). Check local trail conditions, follow park rules and signage, and ask locally if in doubt. Conditions in the hills can change during the day, so be ready to change your plan. ## FAQ ### How do I estimate how long a hike will take? Use the time on signposts or in the guidebook as a starting point, then add generous time for breaks and the slowest member of your group. With experience you will learn how your own pace compares. ### Is a loop better than out-and-back? Loops offer more variety; out-and-back lets you turn around at any point and see the views from the other direction. Both are good. Out-and-back is often easier for a first hike on a new trail. ### Where can I find trail information? Local tourist offices, national park websites, Alpine clubs and printed walking guides are reliable starting points. Apps are handy but check their information against an official source. ### What if someone in the group is struggling? Slow down, take a break and eat something. If they are still struggling, turn back together. The group hikes at the pace of its slowest member. ## Sources - [Club Alpino Italiano: Scala delle difficoltà escursionistiche (PDF, Regione Valle d'Aosta)](https://mappe.regione.vda.it/MOBILE/Sentieri/documenti/scala_difficolta_esc_CAI.pdf) - [AdventureSmart UK](https://www.adventuresmart.co.uk/) - [Mountain Rescue England and Wales: Mountain safety advice as the days get shorter](https://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/2023/10/mountain-safety-advice-as-the-days-get-shorter/) ## Related - [Do you need hiking boots, or are trail shoes enough?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/boots-or-trail-shoes/) - [How do you navigate on a hike without phone signal?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/navigating-without-signal/) - [How do you walk uphill without getting out of breath?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/walking-uphill/) - [What is a rifugio, and how do you plan a hut-to-hut hike?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-a-rifugio/) - [How do you plan a first day hike in the Dolomites?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/dolomites-first-hike/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)