Wondering if you’re a beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert hiker?
Our free Hiking Skill Level Calculator helps you discover your hiking experience level in just a few clicks. Based on your answers, you’ll receive a personalized skill rating along with tailored trail recommendations, training tips, and gear advice.
Why Use the Hiking Skill Level Calculator?
- ✅ Personalized results – beginner to expert levels
- ✅ Trail suggestions matched to your ability
- ✅ Practical hiking tips for safety and improvement
- ✅ Gear recommendations to make your hikes more enjoyable
- ✅ Motivation to progress and explore new hiking challenges
Whether you’re just starting out on short forest walks or you’re preparing for alpine expeditions, this tool gives you insights into where you stand and how to level up.
Hiking Levels Explained
🟢 Beginner Hiker
- Short, easy hikes (under 5 km / 3 miles)
- Minimal elevation gain
- Focus on endurance, footwear, and safety basics
🟡 Intermediate Hiker
- Moderate hikes (6–13 km / 4–8 miles)
- Some elevation gain
- Learn navigation and weather awareness
🔵 Advanced Hiker
- Challenging trails and backpacking trips
- High elevation gain and long distances
- Wilderness skills and first aid knowledge
🔴 Expert Hiker
- Extreme alpine routes & technical terrain
- Expedition-style challenges
- Leadership, mentoring, and advanced safety prep
How It Works
- Answer a few quick questions
- Get your hiking skill score
- Receive personalized tips, and trail types suited to your level
Who Is This Tool For?
- New hikers who want to know where to start
- Weekend adventurers looking to push further
- Experienced hikers curious about their standing
- Outdoor leaders who want to benchmark their skills
Ready to Find Your Hiking Level?
👉 Try the Hiking Skill Level Calculator now and start planning your next adventure with confidence.
🥾 Discover Your Hiking Skill Level
Answer these questions honestly to get personalized trail recommendations
How to improve your hiking skill level?
Start training!
One of the best ways to get better and more comfortable with more difficulty is to follow a training plan designed for hiking. You can start here: How to Train for Hiking? and How to Build Endurance for Multi-Day Trekking?
Go on actual hikes!
Well the second way to improve is even more obvious, if you want to improve your skill in hiking you need to, well hike… If you are not sure where to start, check How to Start Hiking: A Beginner’s 12 Step Guide.
Hike difficulty calculator
We have another tool that might be useful. If you have a route and you want to check if it will fit your hiking skill level, try Hiking Effort Score Calculator.
Trail awaits!
You have your tips, you have your scores, it is time to stop reading this page, get your shoes on, pack yours snacks and hit the road!