The SAC Hiking Scale: What T1, T2 and T3 Mean

Every hike on Lakwatsa is graded with the SAC hiking scale — the system the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC/CAS) uses to describe how technically demanding a mountain trail is. It runs from T1 (easiest) to T6 (hardest), and the 'T' stands for trekking. Two things are worth knowing up front: the grade describes the hardest point on the route, not the whole trail, and it says nothing about how long or physically tiring a hike is — only what the terrain demands of you. We stick to T1–T3, so those are the three grades you'll see across our hikes.

T1 – Hiking

The gentlest grade. Well-built, well-marked paths — yellow signs in Switzerland — on flat or gently sloping ground, with any exposed spots secured by railings or cables. With normal care there's essentially no risk of falling, navigation is straightforward, and you can walk it in trainers. Suitable for just about anyone.

T2 – Mountain Hiking

A continuous, established mountain path, marked white-red-white, but the terrain gets partially steep and a fall can't be completely ruled out. You'll want surefootedness and proper hiking boots, plus basic orientation skills.

T3 – Difficult Mountain Hiking

The most demanding grade we cover, also marked white-red-white. The path isn't always obvious, the more exposed sections may be secured with cables, and you may need your hands for balance. Expect some exposed spots where a slip has consequences, plus pathless stretches over scree or talus. It calls for good balance and surefootedness, sturdy mid- or high-cut boots, decent navigation, and some basic alpine experience.

Beyond T3: T4 to T6

Above T3 the scale moves into Alpine hiking (T4) and up — often pathless, seriously exposed terrain that needs real alpine experience and equipment. We don't do those routes, so you won't find them here.

A few things to remember

The grade always reflects the crux — the single hardest point — not the average of the whole walk. It doesn't measure distance, ascent or fitness: a long T1 can tire you out more than a short T3. And every grade assumes good conditions; wet rock, snow or bad weather can push a trail well beyond its dry-weather rating, so always check conditions and your own limits before you go.

The official source

This is our plain-English summary. For the definitive version, see the Swiss Alpine Club's own document: the official SAC/CAS Mountain and Alpine Hiking Scale (English PDF).