In announcements, you often see designations such as "light trekking", "medium", and "hard”. It sounds simple enough. But how do you understand what these words mean and which level to aim for?
We always try to describe the difficulty of the route as accurately as possible, and in each announcement you can find three key parameters:
1. Elevation gain
This is how many metres up (and down) we will climb in a day.
• Light: up to 200–300 m
• Medium: up to 600 m
• Hard: up to 1,000–1,100 m
Sometimes the ascent and descent are counted separately. If the route is not circular, we will indicate this in the description.
2. Route length
This varies, but on average:
• Light: 5–12 km
• Medium: up to 16 km
• Hard: 15 km and above (and with character!)
3. Technical difficulty
You can either walk along a wide forest road, or you can take a narrow path along a ridge with rocks, roots, and other “pleasantries.” Hard routes may have obstacles that require confidence, experience and suitable footwear.
But numbers are only part of the picture.
Physical fitness and your expectations for the day are also important
• If you spend a lot of time at the computer, prefer walking, or this is your first time, then trekking at a light level is a great start. Such treks often include something extra, such as a tasting session, a picnic, an excursion or simply good views.
• Do you go to the gym, walk a lot and have experience with day hikes? Then choose the medium level. This provides a good workout and gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you have made the most of the day.
• If you can climb five flights of stairs without getting out of breath, go ahead and choose the intermediate level.
• If you run, like heavier backpacks, and more challenging terrain, then the hard level is for you. These routes are rarely repeated, require commitment, and give you the ultimate sense of accomplishment.
As for the duration
• Easy routes usually take 2–4 hours on foot, with the rest of the time spent traveling, admiring the scenery, and resting. Examples: Djerdap (6.5 km, with 300 m of ascent and descent + a boat trip) or Kosmai (slightly longer route, but with a very gentle ascent and a trip to a brewery at the end).
• Medium and hard hikes take a full day on the trail. You'll be on the road for 5–7 hours, or even more. The difference lies in the pace, elevation gain and trail surface.
Examples of routes
• Easy. Djerdap, Kosmaj, Lazarev Canyon. Short, straightforward routes that emphasise views, nature and the pleasure of walking. Suitable for beginners and those who want to relax without overexerting themselves.
• Medium. Kablar, Povlen, Zlatibor, Stolovi, Tara. Beautiful and picturesque, with varying levels of difficulty.
• Hard. Rtanj, Midžor, Maglič, Trem. These are held infrequently, once a month, and require preparation. Before attempting them, it is recommended to complete at least one “medium” route to understand your level of comfort and endurance.
Important to remember!
The difficulty can be affected by weather conditions, such as wet trails after rain or high temperatures. Sometimes, however, everything is perfect and, after a "hard" route, someone might say, "Well, it was more like medium..."
That's why we always advise choosing a route that's slightly easier than you think you can manage. It's better to be pleasantly surprised than to overestimate your strength. If you're in any doubt, just write to us. We'll be happy to give you tips and advice and help you choose a comfortable and interesting route that's right for you.