Skills
How we grade hill difficulty
Our 1–5 scale, with examples and how summer and winter grades differ.
Difficulty grading on Scottish hills is inherently subjective. We use a 1–5 scale that prioritises two things: how much scrambling and exposure is on the standard route, and how committing the day is in poor weather. Height alone does not determine grade — a remote 700m hill in poor weather can be more serious than an 1,100m Munro on a tourist path.
The scale
Path throughout, no exposure, suitable for a first hill. Suitable for confident walkers in summer conditions with basic navigation skills.
Examples: Schiehallion summer route · Ben A'an · Conic Hill · Dumgoyne
Mostly pathed, some rough ground or steep sections, no scrambling required. Long enough to feel like a proper hill day.
Examples: Ben Lomond · Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) · Mount Keen · most "easy" Munros
Long day, rough terrain, navigation required, possible mild scrambling (Grade 1). The default Munro experience away from the busiest tourist routes.
Examples: most Cairngorm Munros · An Ruadh-Stac · Ben More (Mull) · Ben Avon · Beinn Eighe ridge
Significant scrambling (Grade 2 or harder), real exposure, remote ground, or technical winter conditions. A bad day out for inexperienced walkers; a great day for those with the skills.
Examples: An Teallach traverse · Forcan Ridge · Bidean nam Bian · A'Mhaighdean
Sustained Grade 3 (or harder) scrambling, severe exposure, mountaineering skills required. Reserved for the genuinely serious — most walkers should never attempt these unguided.
Examples: Cuillin Ridge traverse · Aonach Eagach · Inaccessible Pinnacle · Liathach traverse
Summer vs winter grades
Most hills carry two grades. The summer grade assumes good visibility, dry rock and snow-free ground. The winter grade applies November–April when snow, ice, and short daylight elevate the seriousness of the same route — sometimes by two full grades. Our hill pages show the winter grade automatically between November and April, with a snowflake icon. Always check SAIS avalanche forecasts in winter conditions.
Grades are guidance, not gospel. Conditions on the day, your fitness, your navigation skills and your comfort with exposure all change what a hill feels like. When in doubt, pick something a grade easier than you think you can manage — Scottish weather punishes overconfidence.