Multi-Day Tours: Hiking & Backpacking
Beginner (1)
Guests will need only the ability to walk on improved surfaces with little elevation change for up to 5 miles per day with the ability to travel at their own speed and/or reroute/shorten a hike as they see fit.
Beginner-Moderate (2)
Guest will need the ability to walk on established trails with some elevation change, over uneven natural surfaces for up to 8 miles per day with the ability to travel at their own speed and/or reroute/shorten a hike as they see fit.
Moderate (3)
Guests will need the ability to hike on established trails with noticeable elevation change over uneven natural surfaces for up to 10 miles per day. Some routes may not have a shorter or turn-around option and the group will move at a 2 to 3 mph pace with breaks.
Moderate-Advanced (4)
Guests will need the ability to hike on trails that may have physical obstacles or barriers with aggressive elevation change for up to 15 miles per day. In every case other than an emergency situation, hikes are one-way and are performed at a 2 to 3 mph pace with breaks.
Advanced (5)
Guests will need the ability to hike on and off less-maintained trails in places that likely have physical obstacles or barriers with aggressive elevation change for up to 15 miles or more per day, In every case other than an emergency situation, hikes are one-way, are performed at a 3+ mph pace with breaks, and have no rest day between hikes.
Each AOA trip is rated for fitness, comfort, solitude, and participation. The descriptions above correspond to the numeric “fitness” ratings. You can find the rest of these ratings explained in the tour’s Nitty Gritty details section.
