Difficulty Grading

To help hikers know what to expect during their hike, there is a standard for difficulty rating.

The Smålandsleden trail has not yet been rated according to this standard, but work is ongoing and each stage is being rated. If you are unsure about the trail, you can always contact Smålandsleden or the local municipality for more information about a specific stage.

The information currently available is the length of a stage and the elevation profile, which you can see on the map. This gives an overall picture of the difficulty of the stage.

The grading is adapted for Swedish lowland trails that follow the quality criteria developed by the national framework for hiking trails.

For visitors, this means, among other things, that the trail should be well marked in the field with orange paint, that structures such as footbridges and bridges should be in good condition, and that passages along the road should be safe for pedestrians. In other words, you should be able to hike safely without having to navigate with a compass. Furthermore, there should be regular maintenance of the trail.

The hiking trail's official website should provide you with information about stage lengths with time estimates, elevation, accurate maps, and temporary deviations such as storm-damaged forests. In addition, you should find information about recommended equipment, mobile phone coverage, wildlife along the trail, and access to drinking water. You should also find information about accessibility for visitors with disabilities.

As an extra aid for those who want to visit a quality-assured Swedish lowland trail, there is also a difficulty rating system designed to facilitate your planning and give you a good idea of the conditions your hike will offer.

Keep in mind that each factor is assessed individually, with the highest level (=red) determining the overall level of the stage or trail (green, blue, or red).

Green – Easy

One or more of the following characteristics apply to the stage.

Factor	Description
Surface	Even and firm ground.
Elevation	Generally flat terrain.
Technical difficulty	Walking without the need to use hands for support.
Constructions	No obstacles such as stiles or stairs.
Obstacles	No natural obstacles such as stones or roots.
Water	Bridges are always available where watercourses are crossed.

Blue – Moderate

One or more of the following characteristics apply to the stage.

Factor	Description
Surface	Uneven and/or soft ground.
Elevation	Some differences in elevation occur.
Technical difficulty	Some sections may require the use of hands for balance.
Constructions	Passage over, for example, low stiles or short stairways.
Obstacles	Minor obstacles such as stones and roots appear occasionally.
Water	Boardwalks occur.

Red – Demanding

One or more of the following characteristics apply to the stage.

Factor	Description
Surface	Loose or slippery ground combined with steep sections.
Elevation	Steep sections occur.
Technical difficulty	Technical sections requiring the use of hands occur.
Constructions	Passage over, for example, high stiles or long stairways.
Obstacles	Repeated sections with stones and roots. Larger obstacles that must be climbed over, such as boulders.
Water	Boardwalks combined with deeper surrounding water.