Walking and Mountain Biking Trail Grades

Find your wild by choosing a trail to match your skills, fitness and the adventure you want.

The easiest way to ensure you have a great time on your next trail adventure is to know your limits and choose a trail that matches your own ability.

We’ve used a trail grading system to categorise each trail, so that you know exactly what to expect before you set off. Whether you’re keen on a leisurely walk or a hardcore downhill mountain bike ride, you can find your ideal trail just by searching the grading categories listed on our website.

Walking Trail Grades

All walking trails listed on the Wellington Regional Trails website are assigned one of six grades, ranging from ‘Easiest’ to ‘Expert’. These are:

Gentle walking from a few minutes to a day.
Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Some tracks suitable for mountain biking.
Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged.
Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Above the bushline, marker poles are used instead.
Wear walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots.

Comfortable multi-day tramping/hiking
Suitable for people with limited backcountry (remote area) experience. Some tracks suitable for mountain biking.
Track is generally well formed, some sections may be rough, muddy or steep. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and river crossings are bridged.
Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Above the bushline, marker poles are used instead.
Wear light tramping/hiking boots.

Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
Suitable for people with moderate to high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, navigation and survival skills required. Some tracks suitable for mountain biking.
Track is mostly unformed, may be rough and steep. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings.
Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Above the bushline, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.
Wear tramping/hiking boots.

Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
Suitable for people with high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, navigation and survival skills required. Complete self sufficiency required.
Track is mostly unformed and natural, may be rough, muddy and very steep. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings.
Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Above the bushline, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.
Wear sturdy tramping/hiking boots.

Mountain Biking Trail Grades

All mountain biking trails listed on the Wellington Regional Trails website are assigned one of six grades, ranging from ‘Easiest’ to ‘Extreme’. These grades are based on the Kennett Brothers system which is widely used by New Zealand riders:

Walking and Mountain Biking Trail Grades

Walking Trail Grades

Mountain Biking Trail Grades

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