The SAC hiking scale: T1 to T6 explained
T2, T4, white-blue-white paint marks — the Swiss scale is written on almost every alpine path and decides whether a route suits you. Here is what the grades actually mean.
⛰️ Plan a route with honest difficulty →The six grades
T1 — Hiking. Wide, well-built paths, no exposure. Trainers are fine, navigation is not an issue.
T2 — Mountain hiking. A continuous path, sometimes steep. Sure-footedness needed, boots recommended.
T3 — Demanding mountain hiking. The path may disappear briefly, exposed passages are secured with chains or cables. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are mandatory. This is where regular walkers part company with twice-a-year walkers.
T4 — Alpine hiking. Partly pathless, easy climbing moves, terrain that demands alpine experience and a feel for weather and rock.
T5 — Demanding alpine hiking. Exposed, climbing up to grade II, often touching glaciers. Not a place to learn.
T6 — Difficult alpine hiking. Mostly pathless, climbing to III, serious fall risk.
The paint marks
Yellow means a hiking path (T1), white-red-white a mountain path (T2–T3), white-blue-white an alpine route (T4 and above). The colour only tells you how the path was built, not what it is like today — after a thunderstorm a T2 can turn into a slide.
Where exactly does it get hard?
A route rarely holds one grade throughout. Peakflow colours the difficult sections directly in the line and says it in words: “400 m where you will use your hands, two passages above 30 degrees”. That is more honest than a single letter for a whole day.
Frequently asked
From which grade do I need a rope?
Usually from T5, and always on glaciers. T3 and T4 are rope-free but demand sure-footedness and a head for heights.
How does T3 compare to a via ferrata?
Via ferratas have their own scale (A to F). T3 means secured spots you hold on to — no via ferrata set required, but real fall terrain.
Can I see the SAC grade on the map?
In Peakflow, yes: paths carry their SAC grade and the planned route colours the hard parts.
Related
- Send a GPX route to your Garmin watch — no cable, no subscription
- Hiking time: how long does this walk really take?
- Offline hiking map: navigate without a signal
- Plan a loop: come back a different way
- Open and view a GPX file — in the browser, no account
- All guides
- Races with route profiles
Was du mit Peakflow machen kannst
Kostenloser Routenplaner für die Alpen – ohne Abo, ohne Konto-Zwang.
Wander- und Trailpfade statt Luftlinie – mit Untergrund, Steigung und realistischer Gehzeit.
Jede Änderung an der Route rechnet Distanz, Auf- und Abstieg sofort neu.
Route mit einem Tipp an Garmin, Suunto oder Coros – oder als GPX exportieren.
Wetter direkt auf der Route, Stunde für Stunde – inklusive Schneegrenze und Gewitterrisiko.
Haltestellen und Fahrpläne auf der Karte: Tour planen ohne zweites Auto am Startpunkt.
Öffnungszeiten, Bergbahnen und Wasserquellen entlang der Strecke – alles an einem Ort.
