I know what you're thinking; how very cliché to score a hiking trail.
I know it's been done before, but I wanted to put my preferences down in a way that makes sense. Trust me, you do not want to see the planning that went into this scale. It's absolute chaos.
There are certain elements that make a hike stand out from other recreational activities. These elements are usually the deciding factor when choosing the next trail on your list. Seeing as everyone hike for their own reasons and look for different things, I've decided to create the scale based on the main things that matter to me. I've narrowed it down to the six elements I look for in a hiking trail.
Trail markings
The first thing is trail markings. A hike that is marked well is definitely better if you want an accurate distance reading. If your goal is 5km, you don't want to finish at 4.7 km. Talk about frustration. It also helps keep you on the right trail if there are more trails on the premises and it keeps you from getting lost.
The trail markings are scored as follows:
It's not a necessity to follow the trail markings, but it might be smart to use a GPS app if you don't. Come to think of it, why didn't Hansel keep one of those on hand instead of rocks and breadcrumbs ?
Waterfalls
A waterfall is just one of those things that you wouldn't mind seeing on every hike. There something almost comforting in the sound of the rushing water. Waterfalls are great for contemplation and some parks even have viewpoints you can use to sit and rest near the churning water.
Waterfalls are scored as follows:
If you do come across a waterfall on your hike, be sure to follow the safety tips in our previous blog on ways to navigate waterfalls. Keep your children on a leash just incase, metaphorically speaking.
Bridges and crossings
If there's a waterfall, there's bound to be a river and other water sources. Naturally, to be a means to cross them in a safe and efficient way so hikers can avoid injury. Bridges and crossings really add to the fairytale aesthetic, seeing as most parks build them out of wood to make them fit the environment. They also offer great opportunities for solo photos.
Bridges and crossings are scored as follows:
Before crossing any bridges, take note of the structural integrity. If the bridge is damaged, try to cross another way and report it to park rangers on the way out. Don't leave it for the next person, please. Don't be that guy.
Lookout points / views
Who doesn't love a good lookout point? Lookout points offer a great way to escape form all the stress that builds up over the week. In that moment, you feel comfortably small and consequently, your problems may feel smaller too. They also make for the best group photo opportunities.
Lookout points / views are scored as follows:
Although lookout points are something extraordinary to see, there are dangers to them as well. Stay far away from the edge and try to avoid fooling around. You don't want your hiking story to end with you literally being a cliffhanger. It's not worth it.
Beauty
Need I say more? We hike to get away from the concrete jungle we're forced to frequent every day. Naturally you will want to see some rich shades of green and vibrant colours instead of the all that tarmac. Some hiking trail use monuments and sculptures to draw in more tourists.
Beauty is scored as follows:
Try to leave the trail the way you found it. Don't litter, smoke or damage the infrastructure. If you want to take a selfie with a flower in your hair, pick one in your garden or you and that rosebush are gonna be great friends after you crawl in there.
Wow factor
And last but certainly not least, the wow factor. If each and every trail is the exact same, hiking loses all sense of adventure and exploration. You want something unique, something you haven't seen before.
Wow factor is scored as follows:
If you find a unique trail, please let us know and be sure to tell fellow hikers about it. Be a friend.
So there you go. Altogether, the Boots Hike-ability Scale will look like something like this:
Each trail will receive a score out of 30, and will be posted at the bottom of each trail review so be sure to keep an eye out.
Stay safe and happy hiking!
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