Ratings like intermediate, experienced only or beginner-friendly mean about as much to hikers as trying to judge the heat of a vindaloo by the colour of the sauce. Everyone tackles hikes differently and brings their own strengths and weaknesses, which usually decide whether a walk is for them or not.
Moderate for one person is brutal for another. And what makes things worse is how distance muddies the water. Seeing a double-digit kilometre trail can scare off someone with only a morning to spare, when in reality it could be far quicker — and easier — than a 6km trot packed with steep inclines.
That’s the purpose of this post. To unwind the red tape around trail difficulty and get to the core of how you can judge whether a walk suits you before committing to it.
Jump to section:
- Distance isn’t difficulty
- Elevation changes everything
- Terrain underfoot
- Sun, wind and weather
- Time on your feet
- Fitness (and its limits)
- Group dynamics
- Pack weight and load
Distance Is the Least Interesting Part of the Question
You’re going to be shocked here. Kilometres do not equal difficulty.
I’ve been on hundreds of trails across the globe. And let me tell you, some of the toughest tracks I’ve ever done were relatively short. A scramble up a Kananaskis valley, a windy mud path in Shenzhen’s mountain region, a wet and humid shuffle through swampy northern Queensland — all had me squeezing my lungs for breath. Meanwhile, I could walk all day on the Bibbulmun Track and barely see my heart rate hit triple digits.
Terrain, elevation and surface matter far more than the numbers. Loose rock can make you feel like you’re walking on a treadmill, sand turns your shoes into lead weights, mud will frustrate you to the point of madness. And hills… an incline is where the toughest trails are made.
There’s a reason many hiking time estimates focus on time rather than distance. Rules of thumb like Naismith’s Rule assume steady terrain and conditions — which rarely reflect reality once the trail gets rough.
Don’t be fooled by distance. Look at the terrain and elevation before deciding a 12km walk isn’t for you.
Elevation: The Quiet Difficulty Multiplier
Elevation is the silent killer of otherwise “manageable” walks. It’s often buried in the fine print or reduced to a single number, yet it’s usually the biggest contributor to how hard a walk actually feels.
Climbs matter more than people expect, especially when they’re steep and frequent rather than long and gradual. A steady ascent gives your body time to adapt. Repeated short climbs spike your heart rate again and again, never letting you settle into a rhythm.
Descending is often underestimated. While it’s easier on the lungs, downhill walking loads your quads, knees and feet — particularly late in a hike when fatigue sets in. Many hiking injuries occur on descents, not climbs, due to loss of concentration and joint stress.
Instead of focusing only on total elevation gain, look at how it’s distributed. Sharp pinches, constant rollers or long sustained climbs all feel very different. An elevation profile tells a far more honest story than a single number.
Terrain Underfoot Changes Everything
What’s under your feet can matter more than what’s ahead of you.
A well-formed path allows you to find a rhythm and settle in. Natural terrain demands constant attention. Sand drains energy, loose rock forces micro-adjustments, mud turns progress into frustration, and uneven ground keeps your brain switched on the entire time.
Technical footing doesn’t just slow you down — it increases fatigue and risk. This is why some hikers feel wrecked after short, rough walks yet cruise through much longer, smoother ones.
I’ve heard “It was only 7km — I don’t know why it felt so hard” more times than I can count, only to discover the track was sandy, root-filled or barely formed. On these trails, ankle strength and joint stability often matter more than cardio fitness.
Unfortunately, “track quality” is rarely mentioned in trail descriptions, despite being one of the biggest contributors to perceived difficulty.
Exposure: Sun, Wind and Weather
Exposure quietly compounds difficulty, especially in Western Australia.
A shaded trail on a warm day can feel forgiving. The same walk fully exposed suddenly becomes draining. Heat builds, water disappears faster than planned, and your pace drops without you quite noticing why.
Coastal walks bring wind — resistance that dries you out and wears you down mentally. Inland walks bring still air and dry heat, which creep up slowly and punish poor pacing.
Conditions don’t need to be extreme to matter. Mild wind, higher humidity or unexpected cloud cover can all change how a walk feels. In WA, it’s often the environment — not the trail — that turns an “easy” walk into a tough one.
Time on Your Feet (Not Distance)
A far better way to judge difficulty is to think in terms of time on your feet.
Pace matters more than speed. Continuous movement is far less taxing than stop–start walking, where your body never fully settles. Scrambles, creek crossings, navigation pauses and photo stops all stretch a walk beyond its listed distance.
A 10km trail you move through steadily can feel easier than a 6km walk that takes twice as long. Before heading out, a better question to ask is: How long will I realistically be moving for?
Fitness Is Only Part of It
Fitness isn’t a single thing.
Running fitness doesn’t automatically translate to hiking fitness. Many runners are surprised to struggle on steep or uneven trails because hiking demands strength and joint resilience, not just cardiovascular capacity.
Running builds endurance. Hiking builds strength — particularly in the glutes, calves and stabilising muscles — and conditions joints for uneven ground. Those adaptations only happen on trails.
Mobility matters too. Tight hips, calves and ankles are at the core of many hiking aches. Simple dynamic movements before a walk can reduce discomfort, especially on descents where form matters most.
Until you spend time on trails, your training hasn’t fully transferred. Without that, walks often feel harder than their rating suggests.
Group Dynamics Change Difficulty
Who you walk with changes how hard a trail feels.
Walking solo allows full control over pace and rest. In a group, pace-matching comes into play. Some people push too hard to keep up; others slow down more than expected.
Conversation can make distance disappear — or drain energy if the walk is already demanding. I’ve found social pressure often influences effort more than terrain does (in a good way).
Guided walks can feel easier because decision-making is removed, or harder if the pace and structure don’t suit you.
Load: What You Carry Matters
Pack weight affects posture, balance and fatigue more than most people expect.
Water, food, layers and safety gear are essential, but they add up quickly. Poor weight distribution strains the lower back and shoulders, while even a small pack changes how your body moves.
Beginners often over-pack “just in case” or under-pack essentials. Both make walks feel harder than they need to be.
Doubtful about what to pack? Check out our blog post on what to take on a long hike.
A More Useful Way to Ask the Question
Instead of “How hard is it?”, ask:
- How long will I be moving?
- What’s the terrain like underfoot?
- How exposed is the walk?
- How much climbing is involved?
- How familiar am I with this environment?
These questions provide far more clarity than any single difficulty rating.
Difficulty Ratings Need Context
No walk is inherently easy or hard.
Difficulty changes with conditions, fitness, experience, load and mindset. Learning to read walks — not just labels — builds confidence and leads to better decisions.
Often, slowing down and choosing well leads to far better experiences than chasing someone else’s idea of “easy”.
