Trail Grade Calculator
Understanding Trail Grade
Trail grade is the measurement of a trail’s steepness, expressed as a percentage:
- 0-5%: Easy, gentle slope
- 5-10%: Moderate incline
- 10-15%: Moderately steep
- 15-20%: Steep, challenging
- 20%+: Very steep, expert level
Trail Grade Calculator
This practical incline calculator helps you determine the steepness of your hiking trails, allowing for better preparation and understanding of the physical demands of your trek.
This intuitive elevation calculator provides accurate measurements of trail steepness, expressed as a percentage grade, giving you valuable insights into the difficulty level of your planned hike.
How to Calculate Elevation Grade?
To calculate the elevation grade, divide the change in elevation (rise) by the horizontal distance in feet (run), then multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage. This formula is commonly known as “rise over run,” and when the distance is in miles, it’s adjusted by multiplying by 5280 to convert to feet.
Formula Breakdown Slope Grade = (Elevation Change / (Distance × 5280)) × 100
Understanding Key Terms
- Grade: The steepness of a trail, expressed as a percentage. It represents the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal distance.
- Elevation Change: The vertical distance gained or lost during a hike, measured in feet or meters. Greater elevation changes generally indicate steeper trails.
- Distance: The horizontal length of the trail section being measured, typically in miles or kilometers.
- Direction: Whether the trail section is predominantly uphill, downhill, or represents a net change over varied terrain.
- Difficulty Rating: A classification of trail difficulty based on grade percentage, ranging from Easy to Very Steep (Expert Level).
With the Trail Grade Calculator, assessing the steepness of your hiking trails has never been more straightforward.
By understanding the grade percentage and corresponding difficulty level, you can better prepare for your outdoor adventures, select trails appropriate to your fitness level, and enjoy safer, more enjoyable hiking experiences.
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