Before setting off on an adventure, it is important to know what to expect in terms of difficulty and physical effort.
Cantal Nature offers you a simple and clear classification system, allowing you to choose the hikes that best suit your abilities and preferences.
If you compare our classification to that of the FFR (French Hiking Federation), you will understand that we have not included difficulty levels above "slightly difficult", because by nature we do not offer never releases of this level.
Our hikes are always accessible to beginners (i.e. those who do not practice this activity), but it is important that you take other elements into account: walking time, elevation, nature of the ground, condition physical,...; to find out if an itinerary suits you.
An "easy effort" hike meets the following criteria: no or almost no obstacles on the route, no or almost no steep slopes (no big climb in one go). The breaks are numerous and regular.
The distance is always less than 8 km, the altitude difference is always less than 300 meters, the walking time is always less than 3 hours.
To participate in an "easy effort" hike, you must be used to walking on trails, small stones or undergrowth. You regularly take walks of more than an hour.
Children who are used to walking will be comfortable there.
A "moderate effort" hike meets the following criteria: possibility of obstacles on the route of less than knee height, possibility of steep drops (over short distances). Breaks are regular.
The distance is always less than 14 km, the altitude difference is always less than 500 meters, the walking time is always less than 4h30.
To participate in a “moderate effort” hike, you must be used to walking on all types of unstable surfaces, deformed paths, stones and slippery surfaces. You take walks and hikes of at least 8 km regularly.
Not recommended for children under 8-10 years old and children who are not used to walking.
A “sustained effort” hike meets the following criteria: a few obstacles on the route below knee height, a few elevation changes steep (over short distances). Breaks are regular.
The distance is always less than 18 km, the altitude difference is always less than 800 meters, the walking time is always less than 5h30.
To participate in a “sustained effort” hike, you must be used to walking on all types of unstable surfaces, deformed paths, stones and slippery surfaces. You take walks and hikes of at least 10 km regularly.
Not recommended for children under 14 and children who are not used to walking.