Describe the trail
What this solves
Most travellers and many blog writers under-rate Swiss alpine trails because they compare them to lower mountains elsewhere. The SAC scale T1–T6 is the official Swiss standard; using it correctly is the difference between a great day and an accident.
This tool outputs a T-grade with the matching SAC kit list (boots, via ferrata set, harness, ice axe) and the closest match among famous Swiss trails for comparison. It also flags the "looks-like-T3-but-actually-T5" cases — exposure, snow patches and path quality cause most under-ratings.
SAC scale at a glance
- T1 — Marked hiking trail, flat or gentle. Solid boots sufficient. (e.g. Easy mountain walks)
- T2 — Mountain hiking trail, occasional steeper sections. Sure-footedness required.
- T3 — Mountain hiking trail, exposed sections, possibly scree. Steady head for heights needed.
- T4 — Alpine route, some easy climbing moves (up to grade I). Hands needed for balance.
- T5 — Alpine route, climbing moves up to grade II, exposed. Via ferrata set recommended.
- T6 — Alpine route, climbing moves up to grade III. Rope, harness, ice axe depending on conditions.
What this tool ignores
- It doesn't see weather — a T2 in clear weather can be T4 in rain or post-storm conditions.
- It doesn't see snow patches. A T3 trail in July can become T5 if a snowfield sits at 2,500 m.
- Group capability matters — solo T3 is fine, leading a group of novices on the same T3 is harder.
Common questions
Do I really need mountain boots for T1?
Not strictly. Trainers with grippy soles are fine for T1 on dry paths. For T2 and above, stiff-soled boots protect your ankles and give better footing. Don't hike T3+ in trainers even on a dry day.
Where can I check a trail's official SAC grade?
The SAC publishes route descriptions at sac-cas.ch. Hikr.org is a community supplement with trip reports and crowd-sourced grades. The Swiss topo map (map.geo.admin.ch) shows path types but not grades — read the description on sac-cas.ch.
What about via ferrata?
Via ferrata is graded separately (K1–K6) and is always exposed. A K3 via ferrata roughly equates to T5 in difficulty but with continuous cable support. Always use a via ferrata set, helmet and gloves.